Page 12 - BBHAC Winter 2016-17 Gazette

12
The Junior Women & Men Winter 2016/17

The bridge between young athletes and seniors

In many ways this is a unique In the second match of the
The Under 20 team are in the group bridging the transition series at Somerhill School
summer a category unto itself, from young athletes to the Tonbridge, the Club had no
but in the winter season they senior teams. This is self representatives in the U20 races
form part of the young athletes evident in the number of as our U20’s chose to race in the
empire. Nevertheless they are athletes both male and longer senior races. Jess Keene
mature enough to compete with female who have on several extended her run of great form
the seniors as the following occasions competed in the winning her first senior Kent
article shows and this age group senior races. league race looking comfortable
is often depleted due to university It’s true what they say about all the way around the 5k
commitments yet despite being distance runners enjoying the circuit. In the senior men’s race
at times unable to field a full pain and to prove this point Richard Webb on his study
scoring team they still provide a in the Kent cross county break from Cardiff University
constant presence in most events championships U20’s Thomas performed well finishing high
unless there are no Under 20 Desborough and Scott Bulmer up in 12th, Charlie Davis
races in others both decided to do double excelled at the senior distance
the distance and do the senior of 10k and crossed the line
men’s race, all 12k of it. Former in a solid 20th. Thomas
young athlete Will Ruiz made Desborough was a great 37th
his comeback competing for the and fellow U20 James Crawley
Club after an enforced absence was a good 67th and Scott
due to injury. Bulmer in 182th completed the
In the First Kent League Match U20 squad.
at Stanhill Farm Wilmington In race three at Sparrows Den
the U20 men had the dilemma all our U20 men decided to
of running 5.3k with the U17’s double the distance they had
or 9.8k with the seniors and all to run by lining up with the
chose to run the longer senior seniors. Olympian Scott Overall
event. Team captain Marco was overall winner (no pun
Arcuri inspired by his young intended) but a great showing
athletes performances earlier from the U20s saw Marco
in the day ran superbly placing Arcuri and Charlie Davis high
28th in a field of 225. Tom up the field finishing 25th and
Desborough took a day off his 27th only four seconds apart.
university weekend exploits to In Match 4 at Danson Park,
run for the Club and placed Bexley four U20 girls ran in the
41st, James Crawley finished senior women’s race helping
well in 56th and it was good to them to win the six to score
see Scott Bulmer running and competition. Kelsey Fuss
finishing 209th. ran well finishing 11th, Sam
Leighton was a great 37th with
Joanna Clowes just behind in
41st and it was fantastic to see
Shannon Riskey back running
over the country finishing
inside the top half in 66th.