Sussex will be represented in all ten age groups at the Inter-counties Cross-country Championships, being held at Loughborough on Saturday.
Some teams are looking pretty thin and as we go to press it will be touch and go if we complete a scoring team in either the U20 or senior women’s age groups.
Saturday’s races will be a good test for many of the youngsters who will also be competing for the Sussex School’s teams at the English Schools Inter-counties the following weekend at Leeds.
The big question will be can Bethany Cook retain her unbeaten record this year in the U15 age group and, despite being in her first year in the age group, she must be our strongest hope for a medal.
Almi Nerurkar, at the top of the U17 age group, is also expected to place in single figures and these two are the most likely to shine. Supporting in the U17 race will be Lizzie Clark who has been fairly close to Nerurkar a couple of times this season and has looked most impressive.
The senior men have a solid team, despite the absence, with four of the first nine in the County championship, which in itself was not the strongest or recent years.
Ultra-Long distance runner Tom Evans, the County champion who is hoping to have recovered from his Costa Rica Coastal Challenge success last month is expected to lead the team. A place in the first twenty five would be an excellent result. James Westlake not that far behind is hoping to be breathing down his neck.
A top twenty-five placing is also the aim of Nicole Taylor who is expecting to lead the weakened senior women’s team and the aim here is certainly to complete a scoring six.
Looking for a top team the U17 men, with Tom Eames, Will Broom, Tomer Tarragano, George Pool and Joe Smith look a pretty formidable squad and a top ten placing.
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