North Wales Cross Country Champs

Congratulations to Club Captain Graham Jones on winning the vet55 category at the North Wales Regional XC Champs at Rhug Estate this weekend.

In winning his own category, Grapsey also beat home the v50 & v45 winners, to demonstrate that he is the man on form.

Club Alternative Training Night

Reminder that this week is the club alternative training night, taking us down to Church Stretton for a session. See details below for meet up point & timings.

Post run refreshments available at Housemans Café Bar in High Street.

When : Wednesday 1st February

Where : FROM LION MEADOW CAR PARK

Meet at 18.50 for a 19.00 start

SHROPSHIRE SPORTSHALL LEAGUE

Young Shrewsbury athletes travelled to Much Wenlock to compete in the third meeting of the Shropshire Sportshall League. On this occasion Shrewsbury were able to field full teams in the Under 11 Girls and Boys and the Under 13 Girls age groups. Unfortunately, the club was not so well represented in the other age groups with only three Under 13 Boys and one Under 15 girls turning out at Wenlock.

All the athletes performed well with pride of place going to the Under 13 Girls team who won a very close fought competition by the narrowest of margins – beating second placed Wenlock by one point. The girls go into the final meeting in the lead overall and are now in a strong position to retain the team trophy which they won last year.

The Under 13 Girls 4x2 relay team of Jordan Hall, Bethany Davies, Francesca Scott and Hollie Williamson stole the show with a scintillating display of strong running to storm home in first place.

The Under 11 Boys team finished in third place on the day with 61 points, while the Under 11 Girls were fourth overall with a total of

53.5 points. U-11 Danielle Nicholas made an impressive debut for Shrewsbury, claiming two first places in the 4 Laps (B) race and the Sitting Throw, where her winning throw of 7m 25cms was almost a metre ahead of the field.

Under 13 James Yewbrey has turned out consistently to compete in the League, despite the lack of team mates to support him. He again put in good performances at Wenlock and achieved two 3^rd places in the 2 Laps (A) and Shot.

Daisy Barnes has been a consistent performer for Shrewsbury in the Under 15 Girls age group and she again demonstrated her versatility with good performances in the 2laps (A), Vertical Jump and Standing Triple Jump to collect 24 points to add to the overall team score.

The final league meeting is on 5^th February at The Marches Sports Hall, Oswestry when league trophies will be presented.

Regional Sportshall Selection.

Congratulations to the following Shrewsbury AC athletes who have been selected to represent Shropshire at the Regional Sportshall Finals.

Under 11s – Jodie Adams, Harry Bower, William Davies and Josh Lewis will be competing for Shropshire at the Fun in Athletics event at Coventry on 29^th January.

Under 13s – Hollie Williamson, Bethany Davies, Jordan Hall, Jessica Clarkson and James Yewbrey and Under 15 s Amy Bickle and Daisy Barnes will be representing Shropshire at the West Midlands Regional Sportshall Finals at Stoke on 26^th February.

Severn Loop Winter 5K Report 30/12/11

Severn Loop Winter 5K Report 30/12/11

Perfect weather and running conditions resulted in a record entry of
runners, many improved individual times and a new course record when
Shrewsbury Athletic Club staged their Severn Loop Winter 5K Race and
Junior 2K Race in the Quarry Park, Shrewsbury. Joe Brocklehurst of
Stratford AC , winner of last year's Winter 5K, and who has recently
moved to live in Shrewsbury, dominated the 5K Race and improved on his
previous time to win emphatically, with a new course record of 15/14.
He was followed by Simon Marwood of Altrincham AC in 2nd place in 15/41
and the Summer 5K Race winner, Pete Butler of Oswestry Olympians 3rd in
15/52.

There was a quality field in the Womens' Race, which was won by Emma
Phillips of Birchfield Harriers in 17/39, with Shrewsbury Athletic
Club's cross country star and recent Mad Jack's Womens' Race winner
Amanda Wright-Smith 2nd and 1st in the Womens' over 40 category in
17/47 and Michelle Clarke of Telford Athletic Club 3rd and 1st in the
Womens' over 35 category in 19/00.

As well as attracting some of the county's elite road and cross country
runners, the race was notable for the increasing number of unattached
runners participating, who now make up almost half of the field.

In the Junior 2K Race, there was a turnout of 18 enthusiastic young
runners, with Daniel Evans comfortable winner of the Boys'Race in 8/09,
Tom Turner 2nd in 8/33 and Freddie Turner 3rd in 9/06. The Girls'Race
was closely contested, with Claire Richards 1st in 10/09, Isabel
Drummond 2nd in 10/10 and Rachael Johnson 3rd in 10/15.

Category Winners:
Men: Senior Men: Joe Brocklehurst, Stratford AC, 15/14, Over 35: Roland
Stafford, Mercia Fell Runners, 17/35, Over 40: Neil Bevan, Oswestry
Olympians, 19/06, Over 45: Kevin Francis, Shrewsbury AC, 17/44, Over
50: Mike Hatton, South Cheshire Harriers, 17/04, Over 55:John Dillon,
Whitchurch Whippets, 18/47, Over 60: Colin Earp, South Cheshire
Harriers, 23/50, Over 65: Colin Williamson, Shropshire Shufflers,
22/22, Junior Men: Gwynant Jones, Unattached, 16/31.

Women: Senior Women: Emma Phillips, Birchfield Harriers, 17/39, Over
35: Michelle Clarke, Telford AC, 19/00, Over 40: Amanda Wright-Smith,
Shrewsbury AC, 17/47, Over 45: Susan Kneill-Boxley, Cannock & Staffs
AC, 21/13, Over 50: Gill Evans, Shepshed AC, 21/54, Over 55: Sue
Johnson, Stafford Harriers, 23/36, Over 60: Judy Gardner, Unattached,
31/50, Over 65: Kathy Ling, Wrekin Road Runners, 41/59, Junior Women:
Isabel Bradley, Telford Harriers, 21/45.

Photos courtesy of Dionne Burgoyne.

Young Athletes Cross Country

Shrewsbury AC finished with a medal flourish at the Shropshire Young Athlete League Cross Country finale at Bridgnorth Oldbury Wells School this weekend as the athletes hard preparation paid off.

Expectations were high in both Team and Individual competition, and it was the superb U11boys team who were first in action on the undulating circuit hosted by Bridgnorth AC. Another dominant team display saw all scorers in the top 10 for the fourth time this series. Making it to the start line with only seconds to spare, Leo Walton took the race on with team-mate William Davies at the front. A great uphill sprint finish saw Leo steal 2nd place, with Will next up in 4th and with it a very well earned Individual Silver medal. Fergus Stevens again notched 5th place, with ever improving Archie Hale bagging his fourth consecutive 8th place to secure top team on the day, and with it SAC won the U11 Title for the first time.

This season has seen the team improve in each race, and after the standards set from the U11boys the rest of the team showed strong competitiveness and endurance as the weather turned to blustery winter showers.

In the next two races, Shrewsbury were only able to field one athlete in each, but both Freddie Turner (U13boys), and Sasha Gardiner (U15girls), had their best finishes of the campaign. Sasha had the added pressure from a trio of Shrewsbury High athletes in tow throughout , but managed to shake off all challenges to come home a great 7th place.

As the first rain fell, Freddie took to the start line and clearly enjoying the tough conditions raced his best of the season. A strong 8th placing was reward for Freddies efforts over the technical hill section where he put distance between himself and the pack of athletes covering 9th-13th places.

Next up to secure team accolades were the U17boys team, with George Speakman & Ryan Cullen taking home a well earned Team Silver with another strong run. The longest race of the day had the lads work well as a duo throughout, as they pursued their Oswestry & Telford rivals in the rain. George 5th & Ryan 6th were good enough for third place on the day, and a comfortable team silver with Ben Ashcroft absent.

Showing no signs of fatigue from racing in the North Wales XC league the previous day, Ross Kirby & Stuart Duff took on the two lap challenge in the U15’s fixture. Taking the race on from the off, Ross set to disrupt the dominance of Telford and led the field through lap one, and responded to each challenge Telford could throw at him. Stuart had settled into a nice tempo within a group of 4 athletes, his efficiency helping him separate from the group to come in 13th. At the head of the field Kirby showed no signs of let up, with the lead trio relishing the battle in the driving wind & rain. Still in contention as the hills were tackled for the second time, it was only as they returned to the fields that Ross was separated as the lead Telford athletes worked away together. A seasons best 3rd place for Kirby was jusr reward for his efforts.

For the final race all eyes were on Katharine Smith, who had already bagged individual Silver medal with 2nd place finishes in the previous three fixtures. Another 2nd place here in much the same style as seen before, with Katharines easy running style making light work of all surfaces. A lead group of three headed into the hill section, where series winner Eva Wade (Telford) made her move to pull clear. Katharine was joined shoulder to shoulder by a Shrewsbury High School athlete hoping to finally break Katharines run of form. Much to Smiths credit, her focus was unwavering and she systematically increased the pace on the flatter sections to edge clear and make 2nd place very much her own.

(Katharine Smith 2nd U13girl with the Champion U11boys team, Leo Walton, William Davies (also 2nd U11boy) & Fergus Stevens. Missing, Archie Hale, Harry Bower, Joshua & Oliver Lewis)

The boys team were good enough to secure overall 3rd place in the team standings to illustrate the growing strength of the endurance team. Focus over the festive season now moves to the County Championships at Lilleshall where County selection places are at stake.

SAC Running Report 28/11/11

It was a case of mixed fortunes for Shrewsbury Athletic Club when they
competed in the third fixture of the North Wales Cross Country League
on a new course at the Glyndwr University campus at Northrop, Deeside.
Ongoing injury and availability problems resulted in just seven club
runners competing in the Mens' race, and the team having to settle for
5th place on the day, although maintaining 1st place in the Male
Masters category.
The more encouraging signs were the return to fitness of club stalwarts
Kevin Francis and Club Captain Graham Jones, with Francis improving in
the finishing order with each race, leading the side home in 26th place
and Jones, edging out club colleagues Steve Turk and Dom Kirby in 41st
and 52nd places after the three changed positions in a close fought
race.

The Womens' team, on the other hand, is now going from strength to
strength, spearheaded by the arrival of Amanda Wright-Smith, who
followed up her recent victory in the Mad Jack's Race with a storming
3rd place at Northrop, forming a formidable partnership with the Club's
Welsh International, Anna Bartlett, who finished 6th. The Womens' team
was completed by Emma Sheekey in 74th place, then Sheila Richards in
85th place, resulting in 2rd place in the Division 2 category, the
highest placing by the womens' squad this season.

The club was also represented in the Junior Under 15 Race, with up and
coming fell runner, Ross Kirby 9th in 17/16 and Stuart Duff 11th in
18/32, achieving 3rd place in the team event.

Northrop Results:
Men: 26 Kevin Francis 34/51, 40 Graham Jones 35/45, 41 Steve Turk
35/49, 52 Dom Kirby 36/28, 95 Steve Oliver 40/27, 139 Derek Owen 44/14,
144 Andy Smith 45/17.
Women: 3 Amanda Wright-Smith 17/38, 6 Anna Bartlett 17/50, 74 Emma
Sheekey 25/14, 85 Sheila Richards 27/49.

On the fell running scene, two of the club's in form fell specialists
competed in the Wrekin Wrecker Fell Race, with outstanding performances
from Steve Turk, 10th and 4th Veteran over 40 in 66/41 and Anna
Bartlett, 13th and 1st Lady in 67/24.

In the first running of a junior race at the Wrekin Wrecker, Shrewsbury's Ross Kirby eased home to a comfortable victory over the 2 mile up & down course winning by two and a half minutes from Mercias Emma Clarke. SAC club mate Luke Howes was third.

SYAL Cross Country report, Much Wenlock

Again warm weather welcomed the buoyant Shrewsbury AC Cross Country team for the 3rd fixture in the SYAL Cross Country fixture at the William Brookes School, Much Wenlock.

Ellis Spencer returned for her second outing in the winter fixtures over the 2 lap course, which being a relatively flat circuit produced frenetic front running. Another good run from Ellis with even paced laps saw her move through the field as others tired in, with Ellis securing 35th spot in the U11Girls race.

The strongest team this season has been the U11boys, and with 7 runners out today it was another great team performance as the the boys again dominated the team competition winning today by a massive 34 points and are now leading the way in the race for Under 11 Boys team trophy.

Fergus Stevens who has been superbly consistent this year stole the show, and the race, with an expertly timed sprint finish to move from third place to first past the post with only meters to spare. The next 3 scorers ran just as strongly and scored heavily, with William Davies 6th, Leo Walton 7th and Archie Hale 8th grouping together to ensure another top team performance. Harry Bower in 15th, debutants Joshua Lewis 17th and younger brother Oliver Lewis 22nd completed the Shrewsbury finishers adding strength to the team.





(U11boys team start, from left; Fergus Stevens, Leo Walton, William Davies, Archie Hale, Joshua Lewis, Oliver Lewis, Harry Bower)

Running this season as the only U15G SAC athlete, Sasha Gardiner has put together a string of consistent runs in her first season with the club. Today was another showing of Sashas sensible pace judgement as yet again she moved through in the latter stages for 11th place.

In the U13boys, Freddie Turner was in the same situation as Sasha, being the only club athlete to take to the start line. Freddie had his best finish of the season in a very good 10th, clearly the climb up toward the iconic Windmill Hill suited him as he comfortably separated himself from a chasing pairing of athletes.

A trio of U17boys took to the field for the first time this season, as George Speakman returned from injury to join Ben Ashcroft & Ryan Cullen. For the first 3 flat laps the lads were closely bunched, working off each other, but as they took to the hill for the first time Ben Ashcroft pulled away to keep in touch with the lead group. George, having a strong run was next up with Ryan just behind, the order not changing as the lads attacked the hill for the second time. The scoring was enough to secure winning team on the day with the finishing positions of Ben 4th, George 6th & Ryan in 7th. A confidence building result to take forward to the season finale at Bridgnorth.

Only 2 SAC athletes made it for the U15boys, with Ross Kirby and Stuart Duff both having raced strongly in the North Wales XC League the previous day (9th and 11th places), again taking to the start line to complete a busy weekend for the lads. Demonstrating a calm approach to the race, their endurance and pace judgement enabled them to secure strong positions and again pick off tiring competitors for 9th (Kirby), and 14th place (Duff).

Katharine Smith graced the final race of the day, and with the majority of her team-mates staying on to support her efforts, she again ran superbly well for her third 2nd place finish of the season. Running in pursuit of the Telford leader, Katharine has had to contend with pressure from the chasing pack all season, but has beaten off all challengers at every attack to secure 2nd in the individual standings with a race to spare.

(Katharine Smith attacks the climb)

A top team performance from all age groups today, Shrewsbury AC will travel to the final SYAL fixture at Bridgnorth on 4th December in high spirits, and with a number of Athletes in contention for individual as well as team awards. We'd like to encourage as many as possible to come and run for the club in all age groups at Bridgnorth

Congratulations also go to the following athletes for selection to the Shropshire Schools Cross Country team for an inter-county fixture at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium on Saturday 19th November:

Katharine Smith,

Ross Kirby,

Ben Ashcroft,

Ryan Cullen

Sportshall League report

SHROPSHIRE SPORTSHALL LEAGUE

There was an improved turn out of Shrewsbury athletes at the second meeting of the Shropshire Sportshall League held at Much Wenlock Leisure Centre.

The club was able to field full teams in the Under 11 Girls and Boys and the Under 13 Girls age groups. Unfortunately James Yewbrey was the only club representative in the Under 13 Boys age group and the club only had two Under 15 girls, Daisy Barnes and Amy Bickle. However, all three competed well and gained valuable points for the overall Shrewsbury score.

There were some notable performances from individual Shrewsbury athletes.

Jodie Adams was second in the Under 11 Girls Standing Long Jump 1m 75cms.

Josh Lewis made an impressive debut for the club, winning the 2 laps(A) race in 25.3secs and William Davies ran very well for second place in the Under 11 Boys 2 Laps Hurdles (A) 28.1 secs. William and Harry Bower finished second in the 6 laps Paarlauf.

The Shrewsbury Under 13 Girls performed well as a team and were narrowly beaten on the day by Telford.

Hollie Williamson won both her field events very comfortably – Vertical Jump 52cms and Standing Triple Jump 6m 98cms. She also anchored the 4x2 Relay team to an exciting victory.

Jessica Clarkson made it a 1-2 for Shrewsbury, finishing in second place in the Standing Triple Jump 6m 04cms.

James Yewbrey jumped an impressive 6m 42cms for second place in the Under 13 Boys Standing Triple Jump and ran a fast time of 23.8secs for third place in the 2 laps (A) race.

Daisy Barnes and Amy Bickle took first and second places respectively in the Under 15 Girls Shot with throws of 6m 75cms and 6m 48cms. Amy won the 2 laps (B) race in a time of 23.8secs.

Overall team results for Shrewsbury were:

Under 11 Girls 4th, Under 11 Boys 3rd, Under 13 Girls 2nd, Under 13 Boys 3rd and Under 15 Girls 3rd.

The club finished in an encouraging 3rd place overall behind Telford and Wenlock. The next league meeting will be in January.

Full results can be found on the Oswestry Olympians website – Shropshire County results.