Stoke AC's new crop of junior athletes gave a hint of their potential by
finishing a solid 12th (and first local) team, and they therefore qualified
easily for the National competition.
Lead-off man Steve Bazell was unfortunately completely out of sorts on this
occasion, but put in a typically committed effort to try and limit the
damage. I am sure that we will see a completely different Steve at the first
North Staffs cross country in a couple of weeks time. On the 2nd leg, Tom
Gayle, the club's star middle distance runner showed that his end of season
rest has taken less out of him than usual, and pulled up a good 16
places.
The first of the club's junior squad, cross country international, Alex
Derricott then ran a strong 3rd leg to bring us up to 18th - but like all
the juniors found it difficult to get the pacing right at this longer
distance. Even quicker on the 4th leg, Damian Gallagher showed that he has
improved enormously since last winter as an U17 to run the club's fastest
time of the day - an outstanding effort.
New recruit Danny Meigh also showed that he has the potential to mix it with
the region's top juniors once his winter's training comes together. To
complete the team's effort yet another junior Alex Hall ran a solid last leg
to cement the club's position in 12th position overall..
This was the first senior 6 stage road relay for the 4 junior members of
the team and they did very well considering their lack of experience. All
will run faster at the National 6 stage in a months time.
John Danahay
Full results at www.race-results.co.uk
Photos: www.flickr.com/photos/baldeagle/sets/72157594296630007/
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