Author: Emily Copeman

Team Kennet Athletes secured a Clutch of Medals and Trophies at the last Cross Country match of the Season in the Destination Basingstoke XC League held at Sherfield Loddon.

Malik Gaye in the under 9 Boys ran a superb race to hold of some strong competition to make sure he won 3 of his four races to secure overall winner and also helping his team to secure 3^rdplace overall. 

The Under 9 girls were pipped for second team place on the day but they had done enough to secure League Winners for the season, Maisie McCurtin was the clubs first runner home in 5^thplace with Isla Ladds 7^th, Ella McDonald 9^th and Penelope Lyth 13^th, Ella Larkin led the B team home in 14^th but with her previous races she earned herself 2^nd u11 girl overall, Gracie Cooke was 15^th, Evie Kearney 22^nd and Elora Murray 26^th were 5^th team and Rose Bell was 27^th.

The under 13 boys had their best run of the season Ethan Kuijten came home in 4^th place with Elliot Murphy 5^th , Max Adams 8^th and Aaron Carter 13^th saw the team home in 2^ndplace which lifted them up to Runners up spot overall.

Isaac Mitcham also had his best run of the season in the u15 boys coming home in 4^th place which lifted him up to 2^nd place overall in the standings.

The under 11 Girls were depleted in numbers due to illness Ella Cronk came home in 12^th, Harriet Saunders 18^th, Mia Kearney 25^th and Amelia Rehill 26^th saw the team home in 6^thplace but they to secured a 2^nd Team Overall, Anna Hall who didn’t run luckily secured herself a 3^rd place overall.

The under 11 boys saw a huge turn out from TK, 12 athletes in total, Noah Lauder – Clarke was 6^th place having his best run of the season, Oskar Larkin 11^th, Ben Daley 16^th and Harry smith saw the team home in 3^rd place but just not enough to get in the team awards finishing 4^th overall. The B team was led by Frank Edward 18^th, Elliot Bell 19^th, harry Barnett 20^th and Euan Jones 21^st coming home in a brilliant 4^th place, The C team was led by Luke Stiles 25^th, Harry Bell 26^th, Flynn Murray 31^st and Reuben Kuijten 39^th for 8^th Team.

The under 13 Girls was led home by Amber Stiles in 12^th place, Leilah Gaye just behind in 13^th and Lola Mitcham 20^th for 4^th place team

The other under 9 boys were Joseph Rayfield 12^th, Josh Kuijten 21^st and Alfie Cronk 23^rd

Team Kennet had a good turn out at the Oxford Cross Country League for Seniors on Sunday at  Henley on Thames.

Team Kennet had several runners in the Wokingham Half Marathon on Sunday, which incorporated the Berkshire Road Running Series.

First home for the club was Phil Murphy (Vet40) in a time of 1hr 21mins and 37secs finishing 252^nd out of 5000 finishers, Club Coach Bart Kuijten was next home in 426^th with a time of 1.27.05, Vet 60 Runner Mark Dunstan had a great run finishing 820^th in 1.37.17, followed by Sean Bird 1026^th in 1.40.44 and Chris Treacher one of just a few original members from day 1 came home in 1.45.07 for 1195^th place.

George Down competed in the UK under 17 Indoor Track & Field Championships over the weekend held at Sheffield. George took part in the Long Jump leaping 6.08 for 11^th place. A bit below his normal position where he would have been in the top 6.

Team Kennet Juniors took part in the Third of the Destination Basingstoke Cross Country League on Sunday at Down Grange organised by Fleet. Under 9 girls going in to this match were top of the league, a win would seal them as league winners going in to the last match and they made sure they packed up the front well. Ella Larkin led the way to also secure herself a top two finish at end of the season by coming 2^nd place again, then the TK girls packed in for 6^th place Isla Ladd’s, 7^th place Ella McDonald and 8^th place Penelope Lyth to ensure a team victory and for the club the under 9 girls are unbeaten in any competition for nearly 3 years! Milly Davies was next home in 15^th and Gracie Cooke 16^th.

The under 13 boys are now pushing also to win the team title and they secured a team victory by just 1 point. Elliot Murphy was clubs first runner home in 3^rd place moving him in to 3^rd individual overall, Ethan Kuijten was next in 6^th followed by Max Adams 7^th and Aaron Carter in 14^th for the Team. William McDonald also ran and came 16^th.

The under 9 Boys also secured a 3^rd team finish with Malik Gaye coming 2^nd place, keeping him 2^nd overall individual. Joshua Kuijten was next home 22^nd followed by Alfie Cronk 25^th.

The under 11 girls were also 3rd placed team led By Anna Hall who has secured 2^nd place overall in the individuals. Ella Cronk was next in 15^th followed by Harriet Saunders 21^st and then Amelia Rehill 31^st.

The biggest field of the day with Team Kennet Numbers was the under 11 race, very tough age group and again the u11s were placed 3^rd in the teams. Noah lauder-Clarke was 9^th, just behind was Oscar Larkin 10^th, Ben Daley was next in 14^th and Harry smith made up the team with 17^th place. The B team was led by Frank Edwards 18^th, Elliot Bell 26^th, Luke Stiles 28^th and Henry Bell 30^th which saw the B team 7^th placed. Next home Joshua Ladds 31^st and Rueben Kuijten 43^rd

The under 13 girls Amber Stiles came home in 15^th and Leilah Gaye 16^th while in the u15 Boys Isaac Mitcham was 4^th and under 15 girls Olivia smith 5^th place.

Team Kennet had several athletes take part in the London Games last weekend.

George Down now in the under 17 age group broke the club Indoor record taking it to 6.33m, Oliver Humphrey clocked a fast 8.98s in the 60m hurdles.

Zoe Allen took part in both Track and Field, in the Shot threw 9.85m while on the track 60m time was 9.08s and in the 300m 47.96s.

Josh Ladd’s took part in the u13 boys breaking the clubs 60m record with a 9.33s and also the 200m clocking just over 33s.

Two Team Kennet Athletes braved it down to Beckenham for the South of England Cross Country Championships over the weekend.

Anna Hall in the under 13 age group came 135^th  with two more years still in this age group and Emma Davies came 79^th in the under 15 girls age group.

Team Kennet Zoe Allen competed in the under 15 age group in the South of England Indoor Championships at the Weekend at Lee Valley. Congratulations to Zoe who earned herself a Silver medal in the Shot Putt throwing 10.11.

Zoe Allen also took part in the Track 200m heat to finish 6^th 30.42.

Also at the Championships, Claire McGonnell (under 15) came 7^th in the Shot with 7.46 and she came 11^th overall in the Long Jump with 4.22m.

Elsewhere Under 17 George Down came 7^th in the Long Jump with a New club record of 6m 10cm!