The New year certainly saw a fireworks display for the Buxton juniors as they traveled to Nottingham’s Wollaton Park for their chance to gain a late Christmas present in the form of a Derbyshire vest with plenty of the Buxton athletes claiming their name to a prestigious county vest.
Under 11’s are not eligible for country qualifications but still turned out in their masses to put on a performance with Lucy Whelan, Rachel Cudahy & Molly Golden who finished 8th, 14th and 22nd in name order.
Under 11 boys saw 5 junior participants with Jonty Brown finishing 5th followed by Dylan Gray in 15th, Henry Hazelhurst in 17th who finished one ahead of team mate Liam Jones in 18th pursued by Matt Rolfe crossed the line in 21st respectively. The girls finished 4th and the boys finished 3rd as a team winning County team Bronze medals.
The Girls under 13 team saw the duo of Grace Longden who gained the first Derbyshire qualification of the day for Buxton finishing in 8th followed by Rebecca Cudahy in 27th position out of a strong field. Ed Hazelhurst was the only under 13 boy for the juniors and finished 13th overall – just one place outside the qualification places.
In the under 15’s Lucy Bednall qualified along with Amy Whelan in 6th and 7th position. Team mate Abbie Fryer Winder finished in 20th in a strong field on a tough course. The Boys saw Will Longden qualify in 2nd position gaining a County Silver medal and Dougie Wilson finishing in 24th respectively. The girls team finished on the podium in 3rd for Team Bronze Medals.
All under 17 Buxton AC athletes qualified for Derbyshire with Ellie Wilson finishing 4th and Heather Wilshaw finishing in 6th and comfortably claiming her place in the next round. Sam Soles finished the boys race in 5th position and gaining his Derbyshire vest and Stuart Diamond claimed the last qualifying position in 8th.
Rachel Dowle Buxton Team Manager said “the Derbyshire County Championships bring together the best in the County and it is testament to the hard work these athletes have put in that so many of them have qualified to represent their County. Once again they have done themselves, their families and their Clubs proud and I am sure they will go on to give their County 100%!”