Raya Petrova – 1st – Under 17 girls’ race
The Sussex Cross Country League was back up and running as more than 500 athletes took to Goodwood on Saturday 12th October.
As tradition, the day started with the under 11 races with Eastbourne’s Emily Petrova (8th) & Viviana McMahon (20th) both putting in solid performances. Coach Hannah Messer said, ‘ Both young athletes were new to the league and had brilliant runs. They then showed great team spirit cheering on older Rovers athletes in the later races.’
It was an exciting senior women’s race, including all age groups from under 17 upwards. The race was won outright by under 17 Eastbourne athlete, Raya Petrova. 2nd under 17 to finish was team mate, talented Freda Pearce (5th overall). Katherine Brown was the 3rd in from Eastbourne (18th) meaning the team clinched the fixture 1st place.
There would be no doubt on who dominated the under 15 boys’ age group with them taking 1st & 3rd team positions.
With all of the top three athletes from the same club, Eastbourne Rovers scored a fantastic 6 points. Fin Lumber – Fry just pipped Byron Roberts to win, both in the same time of 13.25. (with Byron only 1st year in his age group). Team mate George Armstrong – Smith (3rd), Ben Wright with a superb race back from injury (6th), Jonah Messer (11th), Adam Meyer (13th), Archie Franklin (15th) and Joshua Webster (returning from injury 34th)
Eastbourne out in force for the under 15 boys’ race
First year in the age group, Fintan Pearce, was the 1st under 20 to cross the line and 8th overall in the senior men’s race. Also racing well was James Stephen (7th under 20) and Patrick Marsden (4th V35)
Fintan Pearce – 1st – under 20 boys’ race
Eastbourne’s Thomas Petherick had possibly the race of his running career in the under 17 boys race placing 2nd by a considerable margin.
Ellie Mclean, looking strong and returning to previous form, placed 3rd in her under 20 age category.
Additional results:-
Ilya Korchev – 9th (under 17 boys race)
Grace Luford – Brown 27th & Georgia Lennard 29th (under 13 girls race)
Jackson Walker – 27th (under 13 boys race)
Chyna Wai – 19th , Lexie McLean 27th (under 15 girls race)
Jennifer Brown 2nd (V50), Katie Arnold 5th (V40) & Anna Chaplin 4th (V50)
A brilliant start to the new season for Eastbourne, next up Glyndebourne on November 9th for the 2nd Sussex league fixture.