FOUR golds, including the biggest win of the day from Oliver Taylor, ensured that St Augustine’s Catholic College, Trowbridge, finished top of the medals table at the West Wiltshire Schools’ Cross Country Championships, writes KEVIN FAHEY.
Taylor stamped his authority on the senior boys’ race at Stonar School in ruthless style to finish almost two minutes ahead of teammate Callum Pheby with Warminster’s Felix Freeston third.
St Augustine’s runners dominated the boys’ races with only in-form Melksham Oak student Will Stockley, who has started the season so promisingly, preventing a clean sweep by winning the inter boys’ race.
The junior boys’ event was almost like a St Augustine’s School championship with twins Robert and John Howorth, plus Henry Dixon, completing a clean sweep.
The sibling rivalry ensured the tightest finish of the day with just a few tenths of a second separating the brothers on the line.
Jonah Veakins, Miles Kingsley and Edward Austin also made the top 10 to ensure a handsome team victory for St Augustine’s.
It was another Howorth to the fore in the minor boys’ race with Rory looking a class act in securing victory by almost a minute from Melksham Oak’s Jack Dodge with St Laurence youngster Alfie McNally third.
The fourth and final St Augustine’s champion was Ella Veakins , who enjoyed a 32 seconds lead over Clair Barnett-Tucker of St Laurence and Stonar School’s Sophie Spratling at the end of the minor girls’ race.
The host school enjoyed a clean sweep in the senior girls’ race with Laura Warren, Laura Clothier, Charlotte Collis-Smith, Hannah Land, Hannah Hudson and Chloe Gerrish ensuring Stonar School easily won the team title.
The other girls’ winners were John of Gaunt’s improving Caitlin Wosika, who celebrated her 14th birthday this week, and St Laurence student Camille Stanley.
On the team front there were three golds apiece for St Laurence and Stonar with St Augustine’s and Warminster winning one each.
There were a total of 356 finishers across the eight races.
The leading runners will now go forward to take part in the Wiltshire Schools’ Championships at Grittleton School on Saturday, January 18.
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