Richard Hemmings from Adams Grammar School, Newport was an impressive winner of the senior boys race at the Shropshire Schools Cross Country Championships held in glorious sunshine at Oswestry School. Hemmings was always in the lead on the 3 lap, 6000m course including one steady climb on each lap, eventually stretched his lead to over a minute as he crossed the finish line to retain the title he won at Lilleshall last year, to become only the 7th senior boy to retain their title since 1978. Hemmings, who was 54th in last years English Schools can now look forward to this year's championships at Temple Newsam Park in Leeds at the end of March.Having won in 19.27 Wrekin College's Hugh Orton produced his highest County finish claiming the silver medal in 20.38 in his first year in the senior age group after finishing 5th in the intermediate championships last year.Shrewsbury School's James Wallace was third in 20.42.Richard Hemmings led Adams Newport to the team title, with 4 in the first 8 and retain the trophy they won last year with Shrewsbury School second. Adams had a great day as they won 4 out 8 team trophies, the schools best ever trophy haul at these Championships.

Alison Lavender of Shrewsbury Sixth Form College also retained her senior girls title in 13.37. It was Alison's 5th Shropshire Schools Cross Country title, having won the junior girls in 2002 and 2003, inter girls in 2004 and the senior in 2006 and 2007, one of the best records of any current Shropshire student. The Pulverbatch athlete made a last minute decision to run after feeling ill earlier in the week, but still had plenty to spare over her nearest senior rivals, with Adams Newport's Georgina Grandfield 2nd in 14.16 now a senior after winning the intermediate title for the last two years. kate Keenan from Walford and North Shropshire College was third in 14.45. Adams' Newport who won the senior boys title for the first time in their history last year, won the senior girls title for the first time in their history this year as Gemma Howell 4th and Charlotte Grandfield 5th completed their team.

One of the best performances of the day came from Cerianne Lancaster of Church Stretton, who won the intermediate girls race in fine style. The inter girls ran with the senior girls and Lancaster won a close finish by 2 seconds just getting clear over the final 400m. Her father and coach, Bishops Castle teacher Colin Lancaster,described it as one of the best races of her life. Laura Pacey last years junior girls champion was second in 13.51 with Megan Lloyd another Church Stretton athlete 3rd in 14.54, the same position she finished in the junior race last year. Shrewsbury Girls High School comfortably won the team race with 3 girls in the top 8 to win this trophy for the 3rd year.

Toby Griffiths won his first Shropshire Schools Cross Country title with a victory in the intermediate boys race. After battling with Josh Ogden of Lakelands, who is currently leading the N Wales League under 17 age group for much of the race Griffiths from Mary Webb School, Pontesbury won in 15.39 with Ogden second in 15.52 whilst Wrockwardine Wood's Chris Carter improved from 6th last year to take the bronze medal this time in 16.27.Adams Newport retained the team title with 40 points led home by Robert Ogden in 4th place then packing their next 3 in 11th, 12th and 13th.

Thomas Telford's Josh Geritz was the third athlete to retain his title from Lilleshall the previous year as he won the junior boys race in 12.37 with Burton Borough's Alex Russell improving from 7th last year to take the silver medal in 12.45 as Adams, Newport's Tom Buckley took third in 13.01.Adams took the team title with 21 points 8 points ahead of Thomas Telford School.

Kelsey Collins continued her excellent season with her first Shropshire Schools title as she won the junior girls race in the first year in that age group. The Charlton School athlete was 4th in the Year 7 girls race last year and has improved in the last 12 months to take the junior girls title as a year 8 against year 9's. Holly Climo of Sir John Talbot School, Whitchurch, became the first athlete from that school to get a medal for many years was a suprise second in 11.28 whilst the Shropshire AA champion Harriet Grandfield from Sir Thomas Adams School, wem was third in 11.32. Wrekin College won the junior girls team title for the very first time, ahead of Shrewsbury Girls High and Thomas Telford.

Marches School, Oswestry provided the individual winners in the Year 7 races as Thomas Telford provided the team winners in both races. Lauren Bathers made the best of local knowledge as she won the opening race of the day, the Year 7 girls race in 7.43. Evie Bentley from Blessed Robert Johnson Catholic College, Wellington was second in 7.50 whilst Jade Evans in third led Thomas Telford to the team title, a title they last won in 2002.

Joe Morris, became the second Marches gold medallist of the day as he won the Year 7 boys race with 11 seconds to spare winning in 10.15. Edward Fowler of Adams Newport took second in 10.26, whilst his team mate James Turner was third in 10.30. Thomas Telford took the team event with 26 points for the first time ever as Adams Newport were 2nd and Marches 3rd.

The first 10 athletes in each race were selected to run for Shropshire Schools in an inter county meeting on Saturday 3rd February, then teams will be finalised for the English Schools Championships in Leeds at the end of March.

Paul Sanderson