Warbler December 2019

P.E.
Wilnecote Warbler
December 2019
COUNTY CROSS-COUNTRY FINALS
Following the success of The Wilnecote School in the District League events, a squad of runners
faced the challenge of competing in the county championships at Rowley Park in Stafford.
With the Year 8&9 girls team winning of the league events and holding the District title for the
second year running, the pressure was on to gain county places and earn themselves a medal.
Despite earlier rain in the week making the long course heavy going, the weather was surprisingly
fine – a perfect late afternoon for cross-country running.
With new debutants representing year 7 the girls were understandably nervous and took the
advice given by staff and the experienced Year 8 & 9 girls and set off on their warm up routine.
The course is challenging in length and in terrain with several hills making pacing difficult to control
but practice on these sections helped to settle the nerves.
Team captain Tammy Powers provided the reassurance for the year 7 girls’ team-consisting of Elle
George, Olivia Brown and Rose-performed well above their personal bests.
True grit and sheer determination helped them comfortably complete the course successfully in a
respectable 5th place overall – not bad considering the route is over twice the district distance.
A special mention must be made to Elle George who excelled, just missing out on a county place;
and to Olivia Brown who had never run anywhere near this distance before.
As for the year 8 & 9 girls, consisting of Lottie McLaren, Tilli-Beau Tyson, Faith Goldsworthy and
Caitlin Couchman they stormed home, producing the most impressive runs and winning second
place overall. Second place in the county is seriously impressive, reflecting the hard work and
dedication the girls demonstrate every week in training. Quite rightly, the huge silver medals they
received were seen around the school the following day. Very well done girls, really impressive stuff.
The two stars of the event were Oliver Goldsworthy and Lottie McLaren, whose quality and fitness
showed as they managed to apply the correct tactics in their respective events; both earning
themselves a place in the county cross-country team.
Oliver and Lottie, we are extremely proud of your performances and are very grateful for the
inspiration and encouragement you give to others. You are both fully deserving of your county
places and we look forward to hearing about your performances as part of the Staffordshire Crosscountry
team.
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