The Eastbourne Rovers young athletes were out in force representing their schools at the Sussex Schools Cross Country Championships on 17th January at Waterhall, Brighton. The course was mostly frosty & firm underfoot after the recent cold snap, apart from a slippery brutal hill which challenged even the strongest of athletes. There was a lot to run for as the top 20 in each race would be selected to compete for Sussex Schools in the Southeast Schools Inter – Counties Cross Country in Haywards Heath on 4th Feb. In addition, the top 4 would earn their county vest to compete in Nottingham at the English Schools Cross Country Championships.
Leading the way were the girls in the year 8/9 girls’ race. Heading straight to the front in the 3k distance race was Eastbourne’s Rovers County champion Freda Pearce (Cavendish), closely followed by teammate Daisy Connor (St Catherine’s College). They were neck & neck all the way but this time, Daisy’s incredible sprint finish claimed the top spot & gold medal with Freda just 3 seconds behind in silver. Talented Evie Lennard (Hailsham CC), with another year to come in the age group, placed an impressive 7th.
Next up were the yr8/9 boys covering 4.3k. Fin Lumber – Fry (Ratton) held on to the front pack and was the first Eastbourne Rover in 4th & Jonah Messer (Cavendish) showed his ever-improving form in 8th. These were impressive results as Fin and Jonah both have another year in this age group for the schools championships.
The year 10/11, 6km intermediate boys’ race saw Ilya Korchev (St Catherine’s College) place well up the field in 12th. Fintan Pearce has gone from strength the strength this season placing 16th and securing his place at the Inter – Counties.
The combined senior girls & boys race (year 12/13) was the final event of the day with the girls covering 4.3km & boys 7.1km. Leading from the gun to finish was Eastbourne’s Eleanor Stevens (Claremont Senior). Strevens secured a 20 sec lead from her nearest rival to clinch the gold medal. Her teammate Ellie Mclean (Lewes College) ran strongly and was rewarded with the bronze. James Stephen & Benjamin Brown (Bexhill College) ran well placing comfortably in the top 20 in 13th & 15th.
Next up for Eastbourne Rovers young athletes is the Southern Cross-Country Championships at Beckenham on Sat 28th Jan. Coach Chris Voice said ‘The squad have been training hard for the upcoming busy cross county racing schedule and I am hopeful they will be rewarded with performances they deserve’.
Additional Eastbourne Rover Results
Yr 8/9 – Lexie Mclean 27th (St C C), Milla Winslet (Ratton) 69, Katherine Brown (Ratton) 43rd, Pearl Winslet (Ratton) 97th, Chae Wae (GH) 76th.
Yr 8/9 Boys – Oscar Mizen (GH) 32nd Thomas Petherick (GH) 37th, Teddy Jones (St C C) 61st, George Armstrong – Smith 67th, Fisher Winslet (135th)
Intermediate Girls – Isabelle Chappell (Heathfied CC) 42nd
Intermediate Boys – Dermot O Rourke (St Richards) 45th , Kaleb Berhane 53rd (St Cath C)