The Striders Juveniles had another golden day at the Leinster cross country championships, at Adamstown today. Olivia Alfred got us off to a great start, with a superb mid-field finish, in her first ever race, despite being a year out of age. In the BU9 event, Fionn MacEochaidh and Maitiu Wall, who had great support from his grandparents who came from Mullingar, both finished in the top ten, to win their first ever Leinster medals. In the BU11 event, over 1.5km, Cormac Delaney was part of the Wexford squad who finished 5th, in the county competition. In the same age group, Heather Costello performed really well, as she has done all year long and won a well deserved gold medal, for the Wexford team, who beat Kildare by one point in the county event. Over 2.5km, the Striders BU13 team were led home by the fantastic Sean Lennon, in 18th place. The team included Tommaso Hickey, Keelan Ryan, Olan Delaney, Sam Myers and Charlie Alfred to finish 11th in the club competition and helping Wexford to 7th place. The BU15 Striders were magnificent, claiming gold in the team event, over 3.5km. Ben Wall and Myles Hewlett were in the lead group, challenging right from the start and finished 2nd and 3rd respectively. With Aidan Shannon, Darragh Flannelly and Robert Wall all finishing in the top twenty, followed closely by Owen Lennon, Ben Myers and Oisin MacEochaidh, it ended up being a convincing win for the Striders in the club event. With conditions deteriorating, the BU17 had to dig deep to see out the tough 5km course. With Adam O’Connor leading the way, closely followed by Aaron Browne, Cian Flanagan and Ryan Kielthy, the team were exceptional in winning a silver medal in the club event. Grace Costello and Rebecca Bawden continue to be great role models for the younger Striders girls, both performing exceptionally to record top twenty finishes, over 4km. Also in the under 19 age category, Aedan Rogers put in a stunning performance, recording a second place finish. James Boland made an impressive return to competition, finishing 23rd, in the same race.
Well done to all the Striders juveniles who competed so well over the two provincial cross country championships. Winning the Leinster boys under 14, 15 and 16 club titles, along with a host of other individual, club team and county team medals, makes 2018 our most successful season at provincial level, in the clubs 42 year history. After a few years in the doldrums, the current group of under age Striders are certainly achieving remarkable results and representing our club proudly. Best wishes to all who have progressed to represent the Striders, Wexford and Leinster in the upcoming National Cross Country Championships.
