WSEH AC opened their cross country season in superb style in the opening Apex Sports Chiltern League match in Oxford on Sunday with an overall victory in the combined Div 1 and Div 2 ‘mob match’ plus 5 team victories in the various age groups and individual winners in Jack Killip in the U17 Boys race and Anna Croft in the U11 Girls.
Senior Men
The race was a break through for Under 20 athlete Elliott Woolmer, who placed 11th, just edging out veteran Charlie Coleman who was 12th. More U20 athletes boosted the team with their close packing, Rhys Glastonbury in 16th, Ross Franks in 17th and Petru Snaiper in 18th. Simon Millet, making his cross country debut, was next to appear in 32nd, closely followed by another U20 athlete, Nathan Ditton 34th. Steve Kimber was next home in 37th with Tim Haughian 43rd and the team scoring was completed by another U20 athlete, Nick Lingley, in 54th spot.
Other WSEH finishers were: 50th Josh Moss, 62nd Jack Philp, 69th Connor Vine, 72nd Noel Stoddart.
Team result; 1. Bedford , 2nd WSEH .
Senior Ladies
Charlotte Firth had her best run to date to take 3rd. Newcomer Claire Danson showed that she will prove a welcome addition to WSEH with her 6th place. Former international and veteran Marina Stedman demonstrated that she is still a force with her 9th place and another WSEH newcomer Emily Armstrong secured a WSEH team victory with her 15th place,
Other WSEH finishers were: 58th Paula Hing(Vet)
Under17 Men
In his first appearance in a WSEH vest, Jack Killip proved too strong for his opponents, winning the event with a 6 seconds advantage. Bradley Goater, Ricky Harvie, and Alex Goodall followed in quick succession in 4th, 5th and 6th to ensure the team victory.
Other WSEH finishers were: 11th Zac Curran, 16th Ben Kennard, 35th Callum Todd, 33rd Ollie Garner, 39th Deji Butler, 41st James Tidd.
Under 20/17 Ladies
WSEH provided the biggest representation in this age group but honours eluded them. Best was Maryse Haynes in 6th. There was a gap before the rest of the WSEH contingent appeared with Molly Riglin in 18th, Emma Croft 19th and Ellie Pepper completing the team in 21st.
Other WSEH finishers: 23rd Bex Myers, 30th Alyssa Spitzer, 38th Leadh Troy, 40th Verity Kyley
Team result; 1. Milton Keynes 5th WSEH.
Under 15 Boys
Close packing by the WSEH athletes produced the team victory in this race. Charlie Critchley was 7th, Jack Rowe 8th and Greg Baynham 9th. George Gathercole completed the team in 14th place.
Other WSEH finishers: 20th Jack Finnegan, 26th Javindra Singh, 34th Will Brennan
Under 15 Girls
WSEH’s biggest contingent of the day figured in this race. U13 Southern Champion Becca Croft, in the first year in the new age group, secured a good 2nd place. Newcomer Mary Davison was 10th on her debut and Ellie Wallis had a good run for 12th. Rebecca Riches closed the team with her 19th place to take the team prize.
Other WSEH finishers were: 21st Eloise Milbourn, 25th Heather Riches, 26th Sophie Street, 35th Greta Spitzer, 37th Laura Knowles, 40th Claire Critchley, 44th Lauren Martin, 45th Kirsty Marshall
Under 13 Boys
The WSEH boys were never in the hunt for a podium position. Best placed was Sam Critchley in 26th place, followed by Jack Davies in 31st, Harry Critchley in 35th, with the team closed by Joe Brown in 40th place. The other WSEH finisher was Tom Spellman in 44th place.
Team result: 1. Milton Keynes 7th WSEH AC.
Under 13 Girls
An encouraging WSEH turn out in this race saw 13 WSEH athletes toe the line. Best of the bunch proved to be Sophie Davies in 7th place. Kathryn Ditton was next home in 15th with new girl Nancy Scott on her heels in 17th place. Gemma Burgin saw the WSEH team home in 25th place.
Other WSEH finishers were:
26th Evie Higton, 28th Amy Talbot, 30th Sophie Bigmore, 49th Jamie Marshall, 48th Lauren Miller, 49th Holly Daniels, 50th Olivia Smyth, 51st Alanna Fagan, 59th Tula Hart.
Team result; 1. Bracknell AC 3rd WSEH AC
Under 11 Boys
Just two WSEH athletes appeared for this race but both figured highly. Max O’Neill was 4th and Dan Brookling 9th.
Team result; 1st Chiltern Harriers 4th WSEH AC.
Under 11 girls
There was better WSEH representation in this race, with some outstanding results. Anna Croft followed in the path of her older sisters by tasting her first victory by some 18 seconds from the St Albans AC 2nd placed runner. She was well supported by Eugenie Cockle in 7th and new member Sam Bonny in 8th who secured the team award.
Other WSEH finishers were:
15th Carmen Preece, 17th Juliet Ehinger, 23rd Amelia Brown
