We have had a welcome return to the Wakefield League this year and some magnificent running.  Thank you to all runners who have been a part of the team this season.

Junior Colours are already held by Frankie Heaton and Harriet Randell and were also awarded in our Sports Assembly on 6 April to: Freya Gatenby, Libby Cree and Alice McKinlay-Smith.

Junior Cross Country Report – by Freya Gatenby

It has been great to see the return of the Wakefield League this year, although absences due to Covid still caused some disruption. Each runner performed consistently and achieved a creditable set of positions in each race at Ackworth, Outwood and QEGS.  Notable successes included Freya Gatenby, Year 7 and in Year 8 Libby Cree finishing 1st  in each of her races.

In October the Junior team raced in the English Schools team competition at GSAL. Unfortunately the squad was hit by Covid absences and Annabel Massey and Ella Manson bravely stepped in at the last minute, ensuring that the squad had the minimum four runners that it needed to compete.  The weather conditions were particularly cold and windy for October but each runner put in maximum effort for the team and they narrowly missed out on qualifying for the regional finals.  

Following the success at the Wakefield League myself, Libby and Alice McKinley-Smith then qualified to represent Wakefield in the West Yorkshire Championships at GSAL in February. Again, the weather conditions were not on our side and myself and Alice just missed out on gaining a place in the West Yorkshire squads in our respective age groups.  In her race Libby finished 3rd qualifying for the national finals that took place in Kent at the beginning of March.  Unfortunately Libby was unable to travel to the fixture and represent West Yorkshire against the very best Year 8 and Year 9 runners in the country.  Hopefully next year she will be able compete, as a top age group runner.  

The annual Worksop College Cross Country fixture in March was the traditional end of season fixture and  enabled us to also take a squad from Year 7 and 8 and the Junior Section of school.  Yet again, the squad was hit by Covid absences meaning that we were unable to challenge for the team trophy but all runners still had very good individual races.   

Well done to all the students who have run, either as individuals or as part of a team, in all weather conditions.  Hopefully next year we will be able to have a Covid free season.