SEVERAL members of the Kelly College swim squad and other college athletes were selected to race for West Devon cross-country team at Seale Hayne against the rest of Devon.

Josh Carnell (year 11), Ellen Riis-White (year 11) and Jordan Channon (year 8) were then selected to run for Devon.

The race took place in February at Merryfield Airfield in Ilton in South Devon against runners from schools all over the South-West.

Josh, Ellen and Jordan all three finishing in the top six for their county to win selection for the English Schools cross country final. Unfortunately Ellen was unable to compete but Josh and Jordan travelled to Exeter to meet up with the Devon squad. The team competed at Wollaton Park, Nottingham on a gloriously sunny day on March 20. The races were at a fast pace with Josh and Jordan doing superbly. Josh ran in the year 10 and 11 race and ran 5.7km finishing 189th out of 320 boys (the fifth placed Devon boy to finish helping his team to 15th out of 43 Counties).

Jordan raced in the year 8 and 9 race finishing the 4.1km course in 165th place out of 331 boys (he was sixth Devon boy home to help his team into 9th place).

Jenni Henry, Kelly swimming club's secretary said: 'Congratulations to Josh and Jordan, it is a great achievement to run at a national championships — they have both showed dedication and hard work to make it this far.'