Plymouth and West Devon Schools' Cross-Country Championships were held at Staddiscombe Playing Fields on a cold day with a damp running surface.
Thirteen students, who had to finish in the first 12 of each race, will represent West Devon in the County Championships on January 20. Further success here could lead to a chance to run in the South West Schools' Championships.
Tavistock College junior boys' team performed well. Paul Rowe, who ran in the English Schools' Championships last year, gave the best individual performance, finishing second. He was quickly followed home by the younger Jinman brother, Richard, in fifth place.
There was good 'packing' by the other team members, with Adam Tofield (27th), Seb Krotke (28th), Adam Holland (36th) and Rory Dyer (37th).
A young junior girls' team saw a good run from Sophie McGowan, who finished third. She was followed home by Year 8 runner, Louise Ellsworth (22nd), Kirsty Ingrams (37th), Ruth Strugnell (60th), Emily Cox (71st), Irene Chambers (77th) and from Year 7 Erin Lovatt (111th), who completed the team's results.
The intermediate boys' saw two individuals going on to represent the West Devon team. Rob Jinman, who has represented England Schools four times, finished sixth and Year 10 student Dave Newton ran a determined race to finish eighth.
They were backed up by pleasing runs by David Barnaby from Year 9 (41st) and Year 10 runners Tim Mitchell (42nd), Sam Smerdon (52nd and Calvin Griffiths (62nd).
A quickly organised intermediate girls' team saw three runners go through to represent West Devon.
There was a spirited team performance, with all runners finishing in the first 36. Megan Fell led the team home in seventh place, followed by Lisa Butler (10th) and Frances Ward (11th).
Year 7 student, Rebecca Ward did excellently to come home 18th and will soon be challenging her older sister. The team's final finishers were Kayleigh Birch (32nd) and Fiona Allen (36th).
Tavistock College were unable to run senior teams but there were excellent performances from the individuals who competed.
All four senior boys will run for West Devon with James Chapman finishing second, Peter Freedman third, Chris Newton fourth and a brave run from an unwell Ben Reeder earning eleventh place. It was a pity two other senior boys could not have been found, as these results would certainly have taken the team event.
Tavistock College's only senior girl competitor was Nicola Blamey, who produced a gutsy run, finishing with a pleasing fourth place.