North Yorkshire Schools Cross Country Championships - Risedale School 18th January 2003

The first six runners across the line at the North Yorkshire Schools X-C Championships at Risedale School all earned their places in the teams for the English Schools X-C Championships at Brighton in March. The remaining two places in the teams of eight were for the Selectors to choose and they had the Schools Inter-Counties X-C fixture against Humberside last Saturday to help with their deliberations. Richmond and Zetland Harriers had two athletes - Jessie Roberts and Scarlett Gray assured of their places and there were another ten in competition.

Most of those already selected chose not to compete, but not Jessie Roberts. This was her fifth race in as many weeks in 2003 and there will be no let-up with the Inter-Counties, two NYSD fixtures and the Nationals all before the Schools X-C Championships. Jessie won the Junior Girls race, her fourth victory of the year. Behind her, Jo Adams finished 3rd to book her place but Ashleigh Robinson was 8th, edged-out of the team and named as second reserve. Sophie Broadway and Jade Cawthray finished 14th and 15th.

Andy Lagan, ex-Harrier now running for Mandale, also chose to compete and similarly won the Junior Boys race. Keiran Watt improved on his showing at Risedale to finish 12th but missed the cut and will try again next year.

There were three Harriers in the Inter Girls race: Amy Baines finished 3rd and earned selection; Leah Jackson was 5th and had to settle for second reserve and Becka Ayre was 14th.

Philip Fitzpatrick is anther run-a-week Harrier and he made sure of a trip to the South Coast by finishing 2nd in the Inter Boys race.

Besides the qualifying events, there were races for Year 7 Students. Rosie Adams and Francesca Fowden ran in the Girls race and finished 3rd and 11th; Douglas Roberts ran in the Boys race and was out-dipped on the line, finished 2nd and learned a valuable athletic lesson.

BUSA National Cross Country Championships - Brighton

Moving up the academic scale, Andrea Woodvine competed in the BUSA National X-C Championships at Brighton on the same day. Andrea chose to compete in the long race over 6K and was pleased to finish 27th and first counter for Nottingham University.