Record number of BRAT Juniors qualify for the National English Schools Cross Country Championships.
The outstanding recent performances of our juniors in the West Midlands Young Athletes Cross Country League (wmyaccl) have been backed up by another strong showing in the West Midlands Schools XC Championships held in Warley Woods on 22 Jan 2022.
On a beautiful sunny day, we had 15 BRAT juniors competing on a hilly course in 4 age groups that differ from those in the league (minor Y7, junior Y8/9, inter Y10/11, and senior Y12/13).
In the junior/inter/senior categories a top 6 finish guarantees qualification for the prestigious National
English Schools Cross Country Championships at Hop Farm in Kent on 19 March.
Athletes in the minor category can enter the primary schools’ National Championships in Prestwold Hall on March 26, but no qualification is needed.
In the minor girls’ race Amira finished 5th, while in the minor boys’ race, Josh finished 6th and Seb H. 13th.
In the junior girls’ race Alba finished 12th (despite a fall) and Ariella 23rd, while in the junior boys’ race Niklas finished 5th, Jack 6th (just days after attending his first BRAT session), Elliott 26th and Sam 27th.
In the inter girls’ race Lauren finished 20th, while in the inter boys’ race Morgan finished 3rd, George 14th and Matthew 29th.
In the senior boys race Alex finished 6th and Jeremy 8th.
Hence, we came away with 1 bronze medal for Morgan, 4 automatic qualifications for Niklas, Jack, Morgan, and Alex to represent the West-Midlands at the Nationals, and good prospects for a discretionary place
for Jeremy.
Furthermore, Dylan T. placed 6th in the inter boys’ race at the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Champs and so should also qualify for the Nationals.
Well done everybody that attended as athlete or in support.
Finally, special thanks to Dan for co-organizing the event and to Nick and Steve for officiating.
Full results can be found here: http://wmsaa.co.uk/cross-country/
Report by Jort van Mourik
