Cross Country running well

Hurst Prep Boys become County Champs

A boisterous team of eight Year 7’s and an equal number of Year 8’s entered the recent Sussex Country Cross-Country Championships at Christ’s Hospital. Like all the other competitors they faced dreadful running conditions with the rain lashing down for the entire duration of the race.

The girls showed real spirit and determination – Flora Dickie ran a particularly strong race to finish 15th and so secured her place in the Sussex Schools Squad. The rest of the team did well with Daisy Drummond (38), Grace Morton  (47), Becky Grubb (53), India Mellor (62), Rachel Ferguson (64), Ailsa Green (66) and Sarah Forster who stood in at the last minute for Emma McShane, (95), a very creditable performance indeed.

The boys fared better still and even surpassed Mr Grubb’s expectations by taking the team title to become Sussex School U13 Champions, a fantastic achievement in conditions that made competitive running very difficult indeed. James Oliver led from the front to win the race (and will therefore join Flora Dickie in the Sussex Schools Squad), with great support from Max Paterson (21), Ali Crunden (30), Joss Harris (37), Jack Morgan-Tolworthy ( 39), Harry Hazeldean ( 47), Lawrence Shipp ( 52) and George Garton (74).

The Inter Counties match was subsequently held at Eastleigh, Hampshire on 6th March. Both  runners acquitted themselves well in their first ever competitive match at this level and James Oliver passed the line in fourth place.

Congratulations to every member of the Hurst team and to their cheerleader, trainer and inspiration, Mr Grubb. It will be interesting to watch the progress of cross country running in the Prep School over the coming year.