Bexhill, Saturday 9th February 2013
The muddy course made life tough for athletes at Bexhill on Saturday but did not stop Nancy Jones, Pete Witcomb and the Over 60 men’s team from racing to victory in the rescheduled Sussex School’s and Sussex Masters Championships. B&H athletes brought home three bronze medals too after great efforts from Seniors Emma Dixon and Ian Crowe-Wright and Masters O45 Cathy Ulliott.
Pete – the day’s oldest champion coaches Nancy – the day’s youngest winner and he is a former pupil of her school – Dorothy Stringer. Pete was able to watch as Nancy dominated the Junior girl’s race leading from beginning to end with a winning margin of more than 30 seconds. In the same race Ella Witt powered her way into 4th place with a strong finish. Both will now represent Sussex at the English Schools Cross Country Championships in March, as will Intermediate athletes Esther Lutz-Davies (5th) and Josh Woods (4th) and Seniors Emma Dixon (3rd) and Ian Crowe–Wright (3rd) who were automatically selected after finishing in the top five.
After nine months out of action it was very encouraging to see Martha Coyle coming back to form. She put in a tremendous effort to finish in 6th place in the Inter girls’ race. Martha, Jack Witt (6th) and James Oliver (9th) are now keeping their fingers crossed for selection to the Sussex team as eight athletes can be chosen in each age group.
B&H Results below
Junior Girls
Nancy Jones 1st
Ella Witt 4th
Alice O’Kane 21st
Scarlet Springett 29th
Intermediate Girls
Esther Lutz Davies 5th
Martha Coyle 6th
Steffi Paraskevas 12th
Senior Girls
Emma Dixon 3rd
Junior Boys
Oscar Smith 9th
Brodie Denholm 11th
Intermediate Boys
Josh Woods 4th
Jack Witt 6th
James Oliver 9th
Daniel Corbie 13th
Harry Sullivan-Jones 32nd
Senior Boys
Ian Crowe-Wright 3rd
Charlie Noakes 11th
Oliver Springett 12th
Martin Brooks 15th
Harvey Noakes 18th
Josh Freed 24th
Masters results
O35 Women
Jeanette Kenneally 14th
Claire Rank 22nd
Helen Fitzgerald 23rd
O45 Women
Cathy Ulliott 3rd
O40 Men
Keith Newton 5th
Paul Wells 7th
Steve Jones 35th
Mark Halls 39th
O50 Men
Tom Ulliott 17th
O60 Men – Team Winners
Pete Witcomb 1st
Barry Blackwell 5th
Paul Rockwood 8th