2017 English Schools Cross Country Championships Preview

The ESAA National Cross Country Championship is the most eagerly
anticipated event of the winter for young athletes.

Organised entirely by volunteer teachers, we bring together the best athletes in each
of the 45 Counties in England to compete for the honour of being the best in the Country.

Entry to the event is by virtue of athletes being selected
by County Team Managers to represent their County.

County Championships are normally held in late January or early February
and a preliminary County Team is then selected. One or two weeks later,
County Teams may compete between other neighbouring Counties in an Inter-County match,
after which the team to represent the County at the National Championship is finally selected.

Teams comprise a maximum of 12 athletes, of which only 8 are allowed to compete.

The first 6 finishers in each team count towards the team competition - finishing positions are added up,
and the team with the lowest score wins. If teams are tied, the team with the highest 6th finisher takes precedence.

Final selections show that seventeen Morpeth Harriers have been named
in the six Northumberland squads for the forthcoming English Schools Cross
Country Championships, scheduled to be held in Norwich on Saturday 18th March 2017.

Northern Under 20 Men’s Cross Country Champion Scott Beattie is named in the
Senior Boys squad, along with club colleagues Kieran Hedley and Jake Masterman.

The Intermediate Boys squad includes no fewer than six from the club,
with Rory Leonard heading a list along with Daniel Dixon, Matthew Waterfield,
Taylor Glover, Liam Marsh, and Daniel Melling.

Named in the Junior Boys squad are Thomas Cunningham, Ben Walker, and Andrew Hudspith.

The Senior and Intermediate Girls squads named, include Abby Sheldon and Gracie Hufton respectively.

Three Morpeth Harriers are named in the Junior Girls squad,
they are Holly Peck, Rhiannon Hedley, and Lily Heaton.
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Eight athletes will be finally selected in each squad to actually run on the day,
so some of these names may be in a standby situation.