The day started with the Mini girls race and our Form 1 girls got us off to a good start finishing runners up, only just missing out on gold by 3 points. Lara Whitten finished 4th, Grace Ross 8th, Lucy Chambers 11th, Mia Davison 15th, Anna McKinty 18th and Faith Heyburn 46th.
The Senior girls were next to take to the course and they also finished in silver medal position with Sarah Brown the first of the Strathearn girls to cross the line in 10th place, Emma Watson was 12th, Amy Hepworth 13th , Kezia Beattie 16th and Jessica Leeman 21st.
The Juniors were determined to continue their winning streak over the last 2 years and they did not disappoint! Murphy Miller came home in 3rd place with Aimee Stitt and Harriet Platt hot on her heels in 4th and 5th place. Rhiannon Brady was 10th, Grace Ruding 12th and Freya Axten 16th. The team score was better than any of the opposition and Strathearn added a 3rd consecutive Co Down title to their list of wins.
The Minor girls took on the challenge next and were keen to match the Juniors’ achievement. Amelia Kane led from the front and powered home well ahead of the field to win gold individually and helped the team to become Minor Champions with Jemima Thomas finishing 11th, Rebekah Burrows 12th, Emily Gault 27th, Charlotte Kerrs 44th and Chloe Brown 46th.
The Intermediate team were the last girls’ race of the day and they had the challenge of running three times around the course to complete 3000m. Olivia Nelson ran a magnificent race and sailed home full of running with nobody near her. The battle was happening further back for the next places with Erin McConnell storming through the finish in 2nd place, Katie Wills was 8th, Sam McCormick 10th, Ruby Baxter 18th and Alex Reilly 19th. The team were well ahead of the next school and were again crowned Co Down Champions for the 4th successive year.
So not a bad day’s work for the Strathearn Cross Country teams and we are now looking forward to the Ulster Championships on Wednesday 10th February at Mallusk.
Well done girls!!!
(See gallery for photographs)
