School Games Cross Country Report 2012(updated with results 23.2.12)

A squad of 25, some of whom had played an hour of basketball at 7.30 in the morning, left School early on the last day of term with high individual aspirations as well as team dreams for the Cross Country Championships at Gangwarily.

First up were the year 5 races. Many of the team members had taken the opportunity of two time-trials held over lunch time on the course itself. This, together with the early morning athletics conditioning sessions undertaken, meant that the runners were ready for the challenge. Katie D threw down the gauntlet in the first race using her speed to firmly establish a place in the leading pack, taking Clarisse, Brooke and Daisy along with her, and Charlotte and Caitlin worked hard to keep these four within their sights. Great strength of character was seen by all 6 runners from Brockenhurst, the first 4 amassing a total of 79 points to take 4th team place out of  the 27 school represented. Top honours go to Katie, running a year ahead of herself and finishing in 7th place overall. It was also great to see Brooke running in her second competition since joining Brockenhurst ( again a year ahead of herself) turning in a top 20s finish, and promising a great future. Clarisse, who showed incredible speed at the Sportshall champs late last year and whose strength no doubt lies in the sprints, showed her strength of character with a top 20s finish, and Daisy's flowing running was a pleasure to behold, making up the scoring 4.

In the second race of the afternoon, Jules was looking to improve upon his 27th place from last year and didn't disappoint, turning in a fantastic 4th spot this time round. Having got caught up in the earlier jostling, Jules led the main field, but by that time three runners had opened up an unassailable lead. I have no doubt that Jules will have his day on the rostrum if he keeps on the way he is going. Noah turned on the style, flowing seamingly effortlessly round the 1200m course to take 20th position ( as Katie and Brooke a year ahead of himself). If Noah emulates Jules' achievements over the past year we could see him leading the field next time around! Huw and Ethan showed grit and determination, both eclipsing their finishing positions from last year,  to round up the scoring four with a combined team total of 83. The winter training these two have  put in over the country this year willl sharpen their fitness for the rugby tournaments around the corner, and serve to bolster Ethan's indesputed speed and power for the Summer Sprints. The boys team featured in the top 5 of 27 schools, amongst formidable opposition.

Then it was Anna's race. Anna had her eyes set on victory and it would have taken a supreme effort from an exceptional athlete to prevent this from happening!It is becoming increasingly necessary for the performers in Brockenhurst's top teams to show this mental edge if they are to achieve the results to which they aspire at the top of their game. Right from the starters gun Anna took control of the race and had no reason to look back. The coaches from other schools in contention described Anna as 'looking as though she was out for a stroll in the park', such was her command of proceedings. Hannah and Olivia worked well together to finish high up the field and were able to count on the solid performances of Molly, Lucy and Nelly to complete Brockenhurst's highest team position of the afternoon in 3rd place. Sadly Brockenhurst didn't have a complete team in the year 6 event, but our three runners Oliver, Matthew and Dariush all completed the course to round up a very exciting afternoon of racing.

Well done to all. A high standard has now been set for the forthcoming Perry-Dalziel Trophy races at Walhampton, and the Year 3 and 4 Cross-Country races at Ashley School later on in the year.

Click here for the official results.