Witham Cross Country Event 2015

Wednesday 7th October U9 Girls and Boys U11 Girls and Boys Cross Country at Witham Hall School

 

23 children in 4 teams arrived at Witham Hall on a mild but blustery afternoon, for a fixture that is renown for its tough competition and physical challenge. This year’s event was bigger than before with 9 school attending, and a 1.15 km lap course meandering through the school grounds, U9 Girls competing over 1 lap, the U9 Boys and U11 Girls 1.5 laps and the U11 Boys 2 laps. As always, at the first cross country fixture of the year, Copthill teams were a mix of enthusiastic debutants and seasoned veterans!

 

The U9 Girls Team set the pace, with a fantastic display from India North finishing in the medals in 5th place, followed closely by Isla Fullock in 12th place and Amelia Arthurton in 18th. The team pushed on, with Halle Stone, Eloise Walker and Felicity Branton showing skill and determination to finish in style further down the field. Well done Girls!

 

The U9 Boys set off at a gallop. Reuben Isaac showed great promise as he played cat and mouse with some very good runners at the front of the pack to finish in a brilliant 2nd place! Felix Bowling continued the family tradition with a speedy race to finish a well deserved 12th place, and Raife Brownlow cruised to an excellent 30th. Digging deep, Edmund Kavati, Alec Telford and Calum Riddle powered the team home. Well done Boys!

 

As the wind increased the U11 Girls set off. As expected; Ana Isaac, Amy Rule and Poppy Newman started strong at the front of the pack. Against a very talented Kimbolton Team, Ana kept up the pace to finish just outside the medals in a wonderful 7th place, with Amy very close behind in 9th. Poppy showed huge resolve to persevere to the finish having picked up the dreaded stitch at the half way point, and our two Year 5’s; Lucy Colman and Lily Newman shrugged off the worries of competing against older children, pacing themselves sensibly to a creditable mid-table finish. Congratulations Girls!

 

Finally the U11 Boys took off. Unfortunately within a short distance Charlie Plant pulled up with a knee problem. Don’t worry Charlie - get yourself better – you will be back soon! With one of our potential stars out, the rest of the boys ploughed on, determined to put in a strong team performance. Gabriel Rudman lead them home, flying in to finish in an excellent 16th place. Owen James showed us all that it’s talent not age that counts, as he finished hot on Gabriel’s heels in 20th. Freddie Gwinnet worked his socks off (and I think surprised himself?!) to finish a creditable 26th, with Max Halden and Oscar Potts showing skill and character to complete the team placings in mid-table. Great effort Boys!

 

Well deserved hot dogs, juice and medals for everyone.

 

As ever, a massive thank you to our Parents for your help and support – it is greatly appreciated by the Children and Staff alike,  and it doesn't end there : good luck to all those (Parents and Pupils) running at Brooke Priory Cross Country and The Great Eastern Run this weekend!

 

Nick T