Met League 4, 2024: U11s & U13s

Met League 4: Juniors Dig in at Welwyn Garden City 

WGEL junior athletes (U11-U13) continued their push for team and individual trophies in the fourth Met League fixture at Stanborough Park (Sat 13^th January 2024).

Unfortunately, a number of athletes were hit in the build-up with illness. The fixture also clashed with local school entrance exams which impacted availability. However, it was good to see U11 numbers boosted with a number of athletes making their debut from the schools where John Stow coaches in Theydon. The club minibus was also very much appreciated and helped ensure those available could make it and help to continue their team's fine run in the league this season.

As a reminder, the individual competition is based on an athlete's combined score from their best 4 results from the 5 fixtures. Points are awarded depending on their finishing position. The team competition is based on a system of “4 to Score”. The club’s first 4 athletes across the line constitutes the “A” team. The next 4 the “B” team. The club with highest scoring “A team” wins the fixture.

Welwyn - Course Report

U11’s ran an out and back course of 1500m. U13s ran the loop twice. The course was set on parkland with a small wooded section. It had a steep camber in places, with sticky mud but, given the amount of rain beforehand, underfoot conditions were surprisingly firm.

Race Results

Results: U11_U13 Met League results Race 4 WGC

U11 Girls

WGEL had 12 athletes in a total field of 33. Alice Clements (Enfield) won the race in 5mins 39s ahead of Sophia Davies (TVH) and Grace Rooney (SHB).

A talented group of WGEL athletes led the charge behind the leaders. Grace Cherry (5^th) led WGEL home with her best race of the season. Grace finished neck and neck with 4^th placed Katheryn Hailey (VPH), a previous race winner and a leader in the individual competition. This shows how much Grace has progressed this winter. Rosie Barron (9^th) was hot on her heels, continuing her fine form and always racing with a smile! Team mate Rosie Anderson (12^th), who has been training well with the endurance group on Thursdays, was next home and was followed by Phoebe Quorn (13^th). Phoebe did superb to finish so high after starting toward the back and she closed WGEL A team in 6mins 27s. 

Kehanique Lowe (16^th) also had a fine race with her highest finish of season. Teammates Daisy Whelan (19^th), Sophia Stephenson and Lucy Nixon (22nd) flooded in behind, working well together to close WGEL B team in tremendous fashion in 6mins 50s. Right behind this group were Jessica Cole (26^th), Chloe Ward (28^th), Elvelyn Marables (32^nd) and Ava Pugh who closed WGEL C team in 7mins 22s. Chloe was disappointed with her run, but has come a long way in her first winter at the club, having joined in 2023 from junior parkrun. Jessica, Evelyn and Ava were all making their debuts and it was great to see them complete the scoring for WGEL! 

WGEL A team (93 points) won the fixture ahead of Harrow AC (66 points). WGEL B team(55 points) was 3^rd and WGEL C team 12^th. This was a brilliant performance from the squad who are on fire!

U11 Boys race report

WGEL had 9 athletes in a total field of 36 with 13 teams competing. The race was won by Joshua Maiden (Herts P) in 5mins 03s ahead of Luis Da Silva (TVH) and William Stockdale (SBH). Competition in this age group is fierce. Finishing times are tight with every second counting, which creates some exciting racing!

WGEL A team was led home by Jack Tonge (16^th) in 6mins 4s. Jack is another making good progress this winter. He was followed by team mate Jax Connor (19^th). Jax has been managing his nerves before races and was pleased with his run after disappointment at Uxbridge. Lukas Sender (20^th) is also progressing well and established himself as a regular toward the front of the group. Team mate Patrick Langan (22^nd) is another athlete who is improving race on race and completed WGEL A team in 6mins 18s.

Right behind Patrick was Jesse Geller (26^th). Jessie opened WGEL B team in 6mins 24s. He was disappointed, but had a busy schedule in recent weeks. Team mates Luke Foley (27^th), Noah Parker (32^nd) and Edward Owens-Hill (33^rd) all packed well and completed WGEL B team in 7mins 19s. Nathan Phillips (36^th) was right behind these boys and opened WGEL C team. Many of these boys are new to racing and making their debuts for the club this year. They have been superb all season and Noah is even starting to admit to enjoying his races!

Shaftesbury Barnet (121 points) won the fixture ahead of Victoria Park (110 points) and Herts Phoenix (78 points). WGEL A team (64 points) were 4^th, WGEL B team (20 points) was 12th.

U13 Boys race report

WGEL had 4 athletes in a total field of 35 with 17 teams competing. Once again this race was fiercely competitive. League newcomers Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow (WSEH), who had led in all previous races, missed this race. This opened the podium to Jake Summers (Herts P), who won the race in 11mins 24s from Aidan Wolpert (VP&TH) and Jack Hayward (ESM).

Eric Frith (16^th) had his highest finish of season and led WGEL A team home in 12mins 28s. Eric has been training well. His regular hill work paid off in this race! Tayo Adetona (20^th) was next home and been a regular A teamer this season and is training well. Team mate Emmanuel Olabanji (25^th) was next home. Emmanuel has been unable to train in recent weeks. This was a brave run from him to support the team. There was also a brave run from Daniel Hayden (DNF) who had to pull out after injury. Daniel has been progressing well in training and was upset not to finish but he will be back!

Ealing, Southall and Middlesex (97 points) won the fixture ahead of Herts Phoenix (79 points) and Shaftsbury Barnet (60 points). WGEL A team (27 points) finished 7^th as the team was not complete without a fourth runner. This was disappointing for the boys but they remain just outside the top 3 overall. They will be looking to bounce back at the final fixture at Trent Park.

U13 Girls race report

WGEL had 2 athletes in a total field of 30 with 12 teams competing. Experienced Met leaguer Ellian Ponkratieva (SMR) won the race in 12mins 13s ahead of Katie Dalton (Harrow AC) and Evelyn Archer (SMR).

Sophia Parker (9^th) is going from strength to strength this season. She has been consistently improving and is following her training schedule to the letter! Sophia was less than 60s behind the top 3 and sits in fourth place overall in the individual competition.

Eva Prince (10^th) finished neck and neck with Sophia. The two girls worked superbly together throughout the race. They ran side by side for a large part and supported each other right to the end. Eva has been unable to train as much as she’d like with busy schools schedules, but is a natural racer and finding her form! 

Unfortunately, no other U13 athletes were available. This left WGEL A team incomplete. However, due to Sophia and Eva's high finishes WGEL A team still managed 6^th place. Harrow AC (62 points) won the fixture ahead of St Mary’s Richmond (57 points) and Barnet AC (48 points).

Final Met League Fixture: Trent Park Saturday 10^th February 2024