Following the recent race fixture at Spenborough, the West Yorkshire Athletics Cross Country League has concluded for another year. The WYCL places our Juniors directly against the very best runners from across the whole of West Yorkshire. The standard is extremely high. The 2019 series was very tough with some very challenging courses and no shortage of rain and mud!
16 Juniors represented the club over the four races in the series, which I’m sure all will agree was great to see. Out of these it was brilliant that 4 Juniors represented P&B across all four races: a particular well done to Molly Enever, Lucas Jamieson, Thomas Martin and Reuben Shamim. In addition to this, a further 4 Juniors – Layla Samuel, Esther Emoru, Freddie Love (technically still a Pup) and Ben Simoenton – each competed in 3 races.
This also means that all eight completed sufficient races to get a recorded placing listed in the final league results:
- Layla 49th in the U11 Girls
- Esther 46th in the U13 Girls
- Molly 49th in the U13 Girls
- Lucas 38th in the U11 Boys
- Freddie 44th in the U11 Boys
- Thomas 33rd in the U13 Boys
- Reuben 48th in the U13 Boys
- Ben 33rd in the U15 Boys
Highest position in any individual race was Thomas who finished 23rd at Spenborough – really well done.
Special mention to the team of U13 girls who fielded 3 or more runners, in at least 3 races, meaning we achieved our first team position in two years – this was only our second team position in the last 6 years (the previous being the U11 boys in 2017).
It should also be noted that in 2019, as a quirk of age gradings, virtually all the Juniors are at the lower end of their age categories. Each Junior is therefore often competing against older competitors and in some cases there is a gap of two-years. The 2019 season will stand as great experience for them when they compete again next year.
Overall, congratulations to all the kids who raced and represented the Club. All runners representing the Club should be proud of themselves. The commitment from all of those mentioned is fantastic and the Club is extremely proud of you.
Also a massive note of thanks to all the parents and families for supporting the kids by taking them to and supporting at the races. Who doesn’t enjoy a Sunday afternoon cleaning muddy trainers!
