News report written by Bruce Evans 7H.
North of Scotland Cross Country
Saturday 11th March 2017 at Alness
Applegrove Athletes Bring Home Two Silvers.
Not many adults would be willing and able to run a very competitive xc race after spending a week skiing at Abernethy (for some). But some of the Applegrove XC team did and all of the team showed extraordinary enthusiasm, resilience (one of Applegrove’s three Rs) and determination.
Saturday the 11th of March dawned surprisingly warm – not typical xc weather. However, armed with clothing to cover all eventualities, parents, ski-wounded supporter(Cameron Fraser) and athletes arrived at Alness Academy all set to walk the course and to run what was to be a well fought battle.
Having walked the course and had something to eat, the girls race was under way with a range of seasoned runners to first timers. Leading Applegrove in was Roslyn McRitchie in 13th place followed by a spectacular run from P6 Olivia Dawson who came in 18th. Olivia was closely followed by Abbie McKail in 20th and Kelsey Martin, three places behind in 23rd. Faith Kenyon and Faye Nicols tackled the course in true Applegrove style and came in 27th and 35th respectfully. The youngest member of the Applegrove squad, Kaisey Lee Owens did not finish but in the eyes of her team mates, achieved part of the goal by trying and has still plenty of time to tackle the course with more experience under her ‘trainers’ – so well done to her.
For the boys, Applegrove had three runners come home in the top ten; Bruce Evans (P7) in 6th, Aidan Matthews (P7) in 8th and Luca Abbate (P7) in 10th. Then, bouncing in, was the youngest runner in the boys team, Ben Ross (P5) who was 27th. Hot on his heels, in 33rd was P6 pupil Lewis Mackenzie. Bringing Applegrove pupils home were P7’s Lewis Dey and Aidan Phimister, 43rd and 59th respectively.
Once all the results were in the runners could relax and finish the remainder of their lunch. However results were collated speedily so all the runners, parents and supporters gathered in the gym hall where the atmosphere became excited and tense!
Prizes were awarded to the top ten in both the boys and the girl’s race. This meant Applegrove came home with three individual placings – Bruce, Aidan and Luca. Well done to the three of them.
For the team prizes scores are calculated by adding up the top four placings – so the lower the total the better. With a 13th, 18th 20th and 23rd Applegroves girls’ team had a cumulative score of seventy four points. Third team was Avoch with 95, Applegrove with 74 came in silver and Milton of Leys with 52 was first.
The boys team placing was incredibly close. Inches with a total of 56 came in third position. Applegrove, having come in 6th, 8th 10th and 27th had a total of 51 which put them into second place and Milton of Leys, with 41, were first. Both our teams were delighted with their well-earned result.
Footnote from a parent: As parents it was a privilege to be with the Applegrove pupils. They showed fantastic team spirit and camaraderie, were dignified in their success and made a point of thanking the organisers. They were a credit to their parents, teachers and the school as a whole. Well done to all.
Applegrove cross country team camaraderie on show here at Alness.
