There were some strong performances at the Sussex Schools Cross Country Championships last week.
Nearly 900 athletes completed the races across the day in beautiful sunshine at Waterhall, Brighton.
Isabella Buchanan (Buckswood School) opened the races in fine fashion winning the junior girls’ race in in xxx in front of Elizabeth Hutchinson (Claverham College) xxxx and Florence Goodwin (Brighton College) xxxx.
With 71 points Brighton College were team winners followed by Hurstpierpoint College (94) and Priory (184).
Next up were the junior boys where Gildredge House’s Byron Roberts took top spot in 10.06. Together with 7th and 11th placings, Byron led his school to the team win.
Brighton College were team silver winners led by 2nd place overall Taylor Thom Watts 2nd (10.11)
Third overall was Max Gayle from Bishop Luffa 3rd in 10.19, whilst Ark Alexander were the 3rd placing team.
In the inter girls category Daisy Connor (St Catherine’s College) was clear winner in 12.47 followed by Molly Smithers in 2nd (Chichester High School) and Bishop Luffa’s Elodie Hill 3rd.
George Armstrong Smith has been running very well in county competitions. He kept this streak going to win the inter boys’ race in 16.18 for Cavendish School).
Bishop Luffa’s Ben Stewart was 2nd (15.25) and The Forest School’s Freddy Boniface 3rd (16.32).
Entry numbers always dwindle a bit in the senior races but this didn’t affect standards in these age categories on the day.
A pack of three tracked each other across the 4300 metre course, but it was first year in the age group, Ava James (BHASVIC), who pulled away as the end came clearer winning in 15.48.
Eloise Hudson (Seaford College) was 2nd (15.53) closely followed by Collyers’ Stephanie Shaw in 3rd (15.55)
Also first year in the age group, Finlay Goodman (Home Educated), comprehensibly won the senior boys’ contest in 19.42 in front of Owen Wallek (BHASVIC) in 20.06 and Lucas Gorrill (Eastbourne College) 3rd in 16.12.
BHASVIC were celebrating as took both senior races team golds, with Collyers taking both silvers. Seaford College were the girls bronze and Brighton College the boys’.
The top 4 from each race automatically qualify for the English Schools Cross Country, being held in Sussex this year.
The top 20 qualify to compete in the South East Schools Inter County Cross Country Championships, in Newbury on February 1.
If you placed in the top 20 and would like to compete at Newbury you will need to complete a form to do so. Click here for more information.