Story by Allen Cook, Pictures by Lynette Clawley

Tamworth AC athletes took part in the 2^nd meeting of the West Midlands Young Athletes Cross Country League on Sunday 20^th November. A cold and cloudy day but the anticipated rain held off and the athletes were able to concentrate on competitive running.

Unfortunately illness prevented some of the athletes from attending which left Emily Findlater as the only athlete competing in the U17W race.  Emily ran bravely on the hilly course at Warley Woods finishing in a good 41^st position.

Toby Wooton, Oisin Au and Oliver Aston ran next in the U11B race, Toby finishing an excellent 4^th and Oisin and Oliver in 66^th and 77^th place respectively.

In the U17M race James Oakley took the hills in his stride and finished a commendable 21^st. Tom Holloway also ran well finishing in 37^th place.

In the U11G race there were nine athletes competing. The five scoring athletes managed to keep close to one another maximising their points score. Saoirse Au was 39^th, Connie Allen 40^th, Angelica Rakmee 53^rd , Natasha Lee 56^thand Freya Cole 57^th. Kirsten Mc Claren was 60^th, Daisy Smith came 80^th. Eleanor Corpe and Molly Taunton finished in 114^th and 125^th place respectively.

U15B Max Kent who has been getting stronger this year had a spectacular run finishing in 7^th place against strong opposition. James Sherriff had a good run in 33^rd place and James Walker followed on in 53^rd. Lucas Fulleylove was the 4^th member of the U15B team finishing in 84^th place.

 

Finishing in 21^st place Abi Hamer was the leading Tamworth girl home in the U13G race. A strong run gave Emily Pearce 57^th place  Behind her with a determined run came Tegan Vickery in 64^th, Imogen Mulligan in 70^th and Ellie Gauntlett in 84^th.

The U13B came next with another good showing from the Tamworth athletes. Ben Edwards headed up the team in 15^th place with James Stretton hot on his heels in 16^th place. Harry Chesterton finished in a very good 29^th place and Oran Au was not far behind in 41^st place.  Completng the point scoring team came Daniel Aston in 56^th place. Team mates Kai Buckley, Kian Dickson and Caydon Fairburn finished in 58^th, 85^th and 100^th.

Eve Clawley still struggling with form after a summer of injury came an excellent 8^th in the U15G race. Remarkable runs from the Perry twins who have recently improved dramatically earned Charlotte 35^th place, Sophie not to be outdone crossing the line 1 second behind in 36^th place. It was a joy to witness. This was also a double pat on the back for Sophie,  she did the Leicestershire and Rutland school cross country 3rd round, and came a brilliant 20th, her best position so far. Sian Lewis followed in 58^th place and Katie Stretton in 63^rd place.