Results from the Ulster Schools’ Cross Country Championships
The Mini team got the day off to a great start putting in a super team effort despite their number 1 runner Mabelle Wilcox being out of action due to injury. The girls had to pull out all the stops to keep the team score ahead of the opposition and although Mabelle was missed the team still finished well ahead of the rest with Hollie Massey finishing 6th, Niamh Hatfield 14th, Connie Hanna 23rd, Alice Browne 26th, Sophie Thomas and Kate Hunter also ran and the team claimed the Ulster Mini Cross Country Trophy.
The Minor team ran well and finished a commendable 6th place overall, Freya Adams was the first of the Strathearn girls across the line in 11th place and secured herself a place in the Irish Schools’ Championships on the 11th March as an individual.
Amelia Kane led the Junior race from start to finish and sailed home with no other runners in sight to claim her gold medal and title as Ulster Champion. The rest of the team competed strongly and were only narrowly beaten by 2 points to bring home the silver medals and also earned qualification for the Irish Championships.
Next up were the Intermediates and another outstanding individual performance by Murphy Miller who worked her way to the front of the pack over the first lap and then just stayed going finishing with plenty of daylight between her and the next runners to claim her title as Ulster Champion. Her 5 teammates worked hard behind with Olivia Nelson and Erin McConnell finishing 12th and 13th respectively and their overall team score won them the Intermediate trophy and they have also qualified for the Irish Championships. For some of the team members this is the 4th consecutive win at these Championships and hopefully not the last!
The Senior team again put in a good team effort but with the level of competition being very tough we finished out of the medals. However we were a very respectable 5th place contributing to the all-important overall points.
These are superb results so well done to everyone involved and best of luck to the athletes who have qualified for the Irish Championships in March!
(See Gallery for photos)
