County Down District Cross Country Championships 2020

Year 9 pupil Erin Cross following her victory in the Minor Girls race.

Congratulations to Grosvenor pupils Dylan McBride and Erin Cross who were victorious in their respective categories at the County Down District Cross Country Championships, held at Delamont Country Park on Wednesday 29th January.

In the Intermediate Boys’ event, Year 12 pupil Dylan outclassed the opposition to win the latest of many titles secured in GGS colours: since his arrival in the School in 2014, Dylan has secured gold medals in a plethora of competitions, including both the District, Ulster and Irish School’s Cross Country and Track and Field Championships. Dylan will now compete at the 2020 Ulster Schools’ Championships, due to be held on 12th February at City of Belfast Playing Fields, Mallusk, where he will aim to add further to his already impressive collection of silverware.

In the Minor Girls category, meanwhile, Year Nine pupil Erin Cross ran a superb race to emulate Dylan’s achievement, timing her finish to perfection and passing the leader in the final 100 metres of the race finish in the gold medal position. As with Dylan, Erin will again aim to add Ulster Schools’ gold to her District title when she competes in Mallusk in two week’s time. 

Joining Dylan and Erin in qualifying for the Ulster Schools’ Championships were Minor Boys competitors Finn Cross (6th), Zach Anderson (14th) and Ben Greer (15th), as well as Year Ten pupil Jake Seaton, who placed a commendable 10th in the Junior Boys’ race. Last but not least, the members of the Senior Boys’ team also produced a strong set of performances to achieve second place in the overall team event; top finisher was Gareth Campbell (7th), who was ably supported by teammates Andrew Hagen, Joel Harrison and Stephen Wright, each of whom performed impressively to attain top-20 finishes.

Amongst the girls, meanwhile, Ulster Schools’ qualification was secured by Eilidh Wood, who placed 15th in the Mini Girls’ race, as well as Eva Wainwright who performed courageously, despite injury, to attain 14th place in the Junior Girls’ category.

Very well done to each of the aforementioned pupils who performed so well on the day; hopefully they will be celebrating further in two week’s time when they take on the cream of Ulster’s crop: we look forward to following their fortunes and, hopefully, celebrating yet further success following this event.