Rugby and Northampton AC’s young athletes made an impressive start to the 2024-25 cross country season in the West Midlands Young Athletes Cross Country League at Walsall Arboretum on Sunday 13th October. A number of athletes made their cross country debuts for the club, and competed with great enthusiasm.
In the under 17 women’s race Olivia McGhee raced to a comfortable victory, finishing 12 seconds clear of her nearest opponent. Rebecca Eaton finished in a creditable 15th place.
The under 17 Men gained second place in the team event, headed by a strong performance from Nathan Lamb in 3rd place, with Freddie Harris in 13th and Sam MacInally in 24th R&NAC’s other scoring runners. There were ten competitors from the club in this event, demonstrating considerable strength in depth.
The under 15 Girls also gained second place in their team event. Amelie Heron ran superbly to lead the team home in 13th place. She was ably supported by Jess Lamb in 16th, Merryn Hutchins-Morant in 18th, Esther Hutchins-Morant in 21st and Claudia Terrell in 22nd to complete the scoring team.
The under 15 Boys all ran with great determination in a very competitive race, to take third place in the team competition. Josh Pinney and Jamie Styring both worked their way through the field to gain top twenty positions, Josh in 8th and Jamie 14th. Thomas Leeson was 29th and Bobby Stenhouse, making his cross country debut for the club, was an excellent 32nd. Benjamin Spence closed out the scoring five for the team in 47th place.
In the under 13 Girls’ event there was a double first for R&NAC, as the team gained first place and Bella Lamb scored a dominant victory in the individual race. Freya Carty ran superbly to take 7th place, while a very determined race from Mollie Diplock saw her gain an excellent 11th place. Elsie Rudkin-Wilson in 20th place and Amelie Lee in 34th place helped ensure victory for the team.
The under 13 Boys were spearheaded to second place in the team event by Miles Taylor in 12th position. Just four seconds covered R&NAC’s other four scoring runners, with excellent packing from Alex Kampta in 22nd, David Allen 25th, Jan Hemmington in 26th and Isaac Brierley-York 27th.
The under 11 Girls acquitted themselves well, with all runners showing great determination. The girls gained an excellent team 3rd place, with Lena Holmes leading the team home in 16th place. She was well supported by Mara Hamilton who finished 22nd, Ella Felstead 31st, Matilda Woods 34th and Amy Smith 47th.
The under 11 Boys showed tremendous competitive spirit to gain second place in their team event. Rex Nicklin gained a superb second place individually in a fiercely contested race, with great performances from Samuel Hayward in 12th place and James Hancock in 20th. Arthur Dee in 28th and Ozzy Nicklin in 35th completed the scorers for the team.
An excellent start to the cross country season sees R&NAC leading the overall team competition after the first round. The athletes are all looking forward to round 2 on 10th November at Newbold Revel.
