Team Kennet juniors were in full action on Sunday in the Destination Cross Country League, in Basingstoke hosted by the club, over a slightly hilly course with turns and a few straight runs, Team Kennet saw some 50 plus juniors turn out to challenge for top 3 individual and team awards, not only that their own club championship league points were at stake in some close age groups.
The under 9 Girls were last years winners of their own league, the girls were home and dry before todays fixture, but made sure they stayed unbeaten in any event since the pandemic, Ella Larkin led from the gun again and stride by stride she pulled away to win her race and be crowned under 9 champion, she was backed up by Masie McCurtin who earned her 2nd place on the day and to finish second overall, not to miss out Orlagh Stratford came home in 4th place but this was enough for her to move up to 3rd overall. Matilda Saunders was next home in 6th place, Elodie Burdett improving each match came 7th, Evie Kearney 15th, Sophia Barnett 20th and Evelyn Barker 23rd for the B team and Jasmine Hemmings 25th out of a field of 31 girls.
The under 9 Boys had to settle for 3rd team Overall, Gethin Thomas was the clubs first runner home in 7th with Josh Kuijten 8th and new comer Chester Bailey 10th and Jacob Williams 21st for the scoring team, the B team Alex Cameron 22nd, Max Burt 25th and Seb Lauder-Clarke 27th in a field of 38 finishers.
The under 11 Girls as the season went on got stronger and stronger, they secured their 2nd win in a row, and to move them to 1st place overall on count back over Aldershot Farnham & District. Harriet Saunders timed her run amazingly to finish 3rd on the day wit ha strong finish, Quinn Joyce held on to 4th place and to take 3rd place individual overall, Ella McDonald was next home in 7th closely followed chasing her down Matilda clare in 8th, Penelope Lyth came home in 13th with Penelope Gorbold 33rd and Affra Bailey 34th that saw over 50 girls start the race.
The biggest Field of the day was under 11 Boys where 66 started and finished, Oskar Larkin was the clubs first home in 6th place just missing out on top 3 overall, Harry Smith was 11th, Euan Jones 14th and Liam Neil 16th, Luke Stiles led the second team home in 23rd, Ben Doherty 24th, Elliot Bell 25th and Samuel Atkins 26th, the Third Team was led by Malik Gaye 29th, Henry Bell 36th, josh Bailey 47th and Lestyn Thomas 55th, Cameron O’Riordan 61st and Alfie Cronk 66th saw 14 boys from TK take part in this race, The boys came 3rd overall in the league behind Aldershot winners and Basingstoke runners up.
The under 13 girls had almost secured their League, Charlotte Bailey gave it a good go and had to settle for 2nd place on the day, this was good enough to take 2nd place overall, Emerald Hill Sawyer was next home in 8th place, Amber Stiles 9th and Ella Cronk 11th, Lola Mitcham was 13th and Chloe O’Riordan 14th, as the girls came home in 1st place on the day, In a very close team competition with 4 clubs all within 5 points, the win made sure of the under 13 girls taking the league title.
The under 13 Boys Aaron Carter led the A team home in 9th place with Ben Daley hot on his toes in 11th, Noah Lauder-Clarke wasn’t to far behind in 13th and Marlowe Barber 15th for 3rd place on the day, Charlie Adams was 17th, Harry Barnett 18th and Rueben Kuijten 21st
The under 15 Boys Ethan Kuijten came home in 3rd place as per last match to help him take 3rd overall, and Max Adams took another 4th place to move him in to top 6 individual placings.
Team Kennet saw over 70 youngsters compete for the club this season, which was a record number.
