Mini League win for Mansfield Harriers
Mansfield Harriers went into the fifth and final event of the Nottinghamshire Mini League Cross Country series in a commanding position knowing one last push would ensure the overall team victory plus age group team and individual awards.
The competition was held at the traditional final venue, Rushcliffe Country Park and after the final big push Mansfield came away as overall league champions.
The Under 11 girls race saw a terrific race with Lucy Pate taking the win edging out Isla Huntington in the last quarter of the race. Everly Chijioke placed 8th, Junia Freeman 9th, Emily Horsnall 12th, Isla Nussey 15th and Erin Huntington 24th with the team winning both on the day and overall. Individually Lucy took Silver and Isla H bronze for the series. Logan Payne was the only under 11 boy to compete coming home in a pleasing 7th place as the team finished the series in 5th.
The Under 13 girls have dominated all season and another powerful performance saw them win both on the day and overall. Scarlett Brumfill continues her terrific winter as she took the win closely followed by the fast improving Catherine Rivis who finished only one second behind.
Evelyn Wheat had a great run to come in 6th and Daisy Brewster placed 11th. Scarlett took the series individual win with Esme Evans taking silver and Catherine bronze. Denny Thurgood and Jack Whysall continue a strong series in the Under 13 boys with Denny taking a clear win on the day also taking silver for the series with Jack both third on the day and bronze for the series with the team finishing 3rd overall.
The Under 15 girls have been impressive all season, both at this fixture and the season Charley Whysall placed 1st, Isla Millns 2nd and Myanie Westwood 3rd, with the team taking the win both at Rushcliffe and overall. Teddy Macintyre was the only Under 15 boy racing coming home 3rd at Rushcliffe and taking the bronze for the season. Even though Mansfield had only one athlete racing the team hung on to take the overall series.
The final race of the BDL Cross County League was held at a very challenging course at Holmebrook Valley Park. Liam Watson ran strongly to take a clear win with Oliver McClemens racing well for 3rd and Charlie Taylor close behind in 7th. Oliver Buglass was next to finish in 36th with Andy Granville 43rd, Phil Shaw 48th, Will McClemens 63rd, Geoff Bottomore 69th, Tom Newbould 70th, Andy Walker 71st, Stuart Whysall 76th and Neil Halstead 88th.
The Mansfield women put in a tremendous team performance with Myanie Westwood 3rd, Emily Pares 4th, Keira Morley 11th, Katie Leese 13th, Gillian Newbould 16th and Katrina Prior 17th all in the top 20. Next home was Amy Newbould in 25th followed by Natasha Carver 34th, Sharon Armitage 35th, Holly Colton 55th, Penny Westwood 57th, Maddy Collinge 68th and Tina Copcutt 69th.
The women after a superb series won both overall and at Holmebrook with the men second on the day and third overall and took the win combined both at Holmebrook and overall. Individually Dave Cass was 2nd overall and 1st M50, Oliver 1st Junior, Geoff 2nd M60, Myanie 1st Junior and 3rd overall, Gilliand 3rd F45, Sharon 2nf F55, Maddy 1st F75 and Amy 3rd Junior.
The British Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships were held at the Lea Valley arena on the outskirts of London. Mansfield Harriers achieved more national glory with Stef Wilcockson taking the gold medal in the M40 60 metre Hurdles in his second fastest time ever of 8.80 seconds and Paul Wright took the gold in the M40 800 metres recording 1.56.06. Stef also took the silver over 200 metres recording 24.32. Martin White competed in the M55 200 metres placing 6th overall recording 25.85.