Both boys' and girls' cross country teams competed in the Flahavans' Northern Ireland Finals today at City of Belfast Playing Fields Mallusk. Conditions were perfect and both teams warmed up in what could be loosely classed as spring sunshine.
The girls, carrying the pressure of expectation, having won the Southern Area league again this year and the fact that they knew they were in with a shout at the title , were unusually serious and focused. They set about the task in a manner that could be attributed to athletes ten years older.
The whistle went and thus began the usual carnage of the 200 plus athletes vying for position.
The King's Park girls set about their task. Keep the elbows out. Keep out of trouble. If you go down, get up and go on. Each determined to do their job for the team. With about 300 meters to go they came into sight, three yellow and black shirts visible in the leading pack. The final sprint was as usual a test of character, of who was prepared to go through the pain barrier and who wanted it the most.
We had Leah Balfour 6th, Alex Kerr 9th, Casey Cousins 10th, and our pocket rocket, little Anaya Patterson (P5) in 33rd. That was the job done, with a combined points total of 58 points, 83 points ahead of second place (which in cross county terms is a huge margin). Champions again! Three athletes in the top ten at National level is rarely, if ever, achieved so that must be commended.
Girls, parents and coaches were obviously delighted, this being the third Northern Ireland title in last 4 years, again a feat that hasn't been achieved before.
The boys were under less pressure having had a slow start to the campaign, but qualified after an excellent performance in the second round. Their expectations were more limited but had nonetheless trained very hard to compete, determined to give their very best. They ran in in a very respectable 11th in Northern Ireland.
Congratulations have to go to each and every one of these children, who have trained and worked extremely hard towards a goal, this in itself a lesson in character that should remain with them the rest of their lives. Special thanks have to go to their parents who have supported them and sacrificed time and effort to put in those extra sessions that always count at any competitive level. Also thanks to our sponsor, Warmflow and Stuart Cousins who has provided new kits for the teams.