Met League 2014 race 2: Young Athletes
A wet and windy day greeted our athletes on this fast parkland course. A good turnout from our young athletes this time, but injuries kept out Daniel Rowden (slight calf strain) and Julia Sokol (sprained ankle) whilst illness kept Olivia Corbett at bay. All these were keen to run.
The Under 11s race, with a massive 94 starters, with 40 girls and 54 boys, this over 2k, saw Jimmy Geller first home in the boys race in 9th spot. Not far behind was another fine run from Tyler Jackson (13th) with Brandon Baldicci in 20th spot. Jack Simmons placed 27th with Dylon White in 46th. In the girls race Hollie McArdell, in her first cross country race this season, placed an excellent 2nd, just 16 seconds short of the winner. Daisy Poole, just 9, placed 18th.
In the Under 13 girls race with just under 50 starters, Siena Taylor, in her first race over 3k, finished strongly for an excellent 8th spot. Holly Henbury, also in her first race over 3k, was 21st, with Hannah Page just one place further back in 22nd. Kacee Maynard, in her first race for Woodford, was unable to finish, being tripped twice early on, forcing her to retire. Woodford placed 5th.
In the Under 13 boys Hayden Maleary placed 11th from a starting field of 63, and should be pleased with his run. Joe Geller was next home, having already raced midweek, but showed good spirit with 21st. Albie Wickenden, only a year 7, will be pleased with 26th, with George McPherson closing the team in with 31st spot. Callum Salter, who also had raced midweek, was 41st. The team placed 6th.
In the Under 15 girls race, which was combined with the Under 17s, Isabella Hoy had an excellent run to win her age group, and was just 14 seconds short of the Under 17 winner. The next four finishers for us are all first year Under 15 girls, moving up from Under 13s last year. They all should feel proud of their achievements with Kyesha Robinson 16th, Mia Hirons 19th, Megan Caswell 24th and Lacy Fuhr 36th. All-rounder athlete Phoebe Fuhr finished her second Met League this year in 43rd spot.
In the Under 17 Womens race Jodi Ratcliff had another fine run for 3rd spot. Edie Preece, solid as ever, was 6th with Alicia McArdell in 9th spot, having finished her third race in 8 days.
Woodford were 3rd in the combined race, just 2 points adrift of Thames Valley Harriers, scorers being Hoy, Ratcliff, Preece and McArdell. They currently lie second in the league after two matches.
In the Under 15 boys race Chris Hogg ran well for 24th place. In the Under 17 mens race a great effort from Harry Cavell placed him 20th with Owen Armstrong in 30th. Making a welcome return was Taylor Reece 47th.
Woodford were placed 15th in the combined race.
In the Howard Williams Trophy Woodford move up to 8th and if we can maintain a similar turnout at Uxbridge next month we could close right up on the leading clubs.
I must thank James Geller and Richard Hogg for their help and all the parents who transported the athletes to Stevenage. Must hugely praise the officials for excellent organisation of what I consider one the best leagues in the country.