TAVISTOCK AC had one of their strongest ever turnouts for the opening race of the prestigious Westward Cross Country League. Thirty three Tavistock athletes made the trip to Redruth for the race. Athletes raced over distances from 2 miles to 5 miles depending on age. The U13 Girls were first off and the three Tavy girls found it tough, but battled gamely, all finishing in the twenties. With only two runners in the U13 Boys placing wasn?t going to happen ? but Nick Champion in 4th had a great run and Ben Brown made a good debut with 22nd. In the U15 girls, new girl Sarah Palmer had a strong third lap to move up to 6th and was backed up by Laura Aspen (9th) and Catriona and Kirsty Smith in 23rd and 26th respectively. In the U15 Boys Tom Lawson turned in the Tavistock performance of the day with a well crafted 2nd place. With Matt MacNamara Waddington (15th), Jake Rendle (17th) and Owen Drage (21st) the team can expect to gain a good team placing. The senior men?s race had 14 Tavistock athletes racing the 5 mile course and a good all round team performance. Cole and Drage led the Tavistock boys home (11th and 12th place), backed up by Holland (17th) and new boy Horton coming in 19th. The final first team counter was Champion in 27th. The senior women?s race saw a welcome return for Heryet 23rd, while Carrie Lawson battled gamely for 40th. Suzy Blandford (U17) in 43rd and Laura Tar (U20) in 50th helped the team immensely. Sarah Aspen (53rd) and Karole Champion (54th) did remarkably well making their debuts. Full placings: U13 Girls: Rebecca Windemer 22, Leone Isaacs 24, Charlotte Herdman 25. U13 Boys: Nick Champion 4, Ben Brown 22. U15 Girls: Sarah Palmer 6, Laura Aspen 9, Catriona Smith 23, Kirsty Smith 26. U15 Boys: Tom Lawson 2, Matt MacNamara Waddington 15, Jake Rendle 17, Owen Drage 21. Senior Men: Jim Cole 11, Richard Drage 12,Adam Holland 17, Jay Horton 19, Chris Champion 27, Steve Groombridge 33, Tony Symons 37, Chris Eastaugh 41, Charlie Lloyd 45, Martin Exley 50, Allan Herdman 60, Robin Musgrave 62, Adrian Bowers 79, Nigel Rendle 97. Senior Women: Nicole Heryet 23, Carrie Lawson 40, Suzy Blandford(U17) 43, Laura Tar (U20) 50, Sarah Aspen 53, Karole Champion 54.
