The under age Striders hit on a gold rush at Navan today, at the provincial cross country event, winning an array of individual, club team and county team medals. Hopes were high of some good team performances, but what unfolded certainly exceeded all expectations. Heather Costello was our first athlete in action, in the GU12 event, and set a very high standard for those following. Heather has been a real role model for the younger girls age groups all year long and put in another great effort over 2km. The BU12 team were missing Olan Delaney, but nevertheless, ran a great team race to record an eight place finish in the club team event. Led home by the wily old campaigner, Ronan Shannon, the team also included Eoin Hannan, Sam Myers and Keelan Ryan, with all performing really well. Over 3km, Isabel Bawden and Hazel Hickey did really well, with the Wexford girls finishing eight. The Striders had a clean sweep of the BU14 event, winning individual, club team and providing much of the winning Wexford squad. Myles Hewlett lit up the race from the gun, setting a blistering pace and quickly reducing the lead group to three. After collecting two second place finishes in last years Leinster events, Myles deservedly claimed gold today, with a stunning display of relentless front running. Behind Myles, the Striders were really motoring, with Eoin Shannon also winning an individual medal, Cosmo Hewlett and Finn Kelly finishing inside the top twenty and Sean Lennon, Ben Myers, Caolan Costello and Tomasso Hickey all well up the field. After a nervous wait, both the Striders and Co. Wexford were announced the BU14 Leinster Champions in their respective team events. The Striders BU16’s also collected gold in the club team event and helped Wexford to another gold. Ben Wall and Adam O’Connor both won additional individual medals, with Aidan Shannon, Robert Wall and Oisin MacEochaidh all contributing for the team wins. Over 4km, Grace Costello and Rebecca Bawden were excellent in their GU18 event. In the men’s junior race, fortune did not favour the Striders, with Aedan Rogers picking up an injury in the second half of his 6km event. Aedan was cruising along in third place at the time and was certainly on course for a big finish, when fate intervened.
Well done to all Striders Juveniles who performed so well today. A special mention to our latest Leinster CC Champion, Myles Hewlett and to our Leinster Champion boys U14 and U16 teams.
