St Kenneth’s Primary School youngsters were celebrating recently after a terrific medal haul at the East Kilbride Cross Country championships.
In a superb performance on March 22, the school won three individual medals, two team golds and one team silver.
A squad of 35 pupils travelled to Strathaven Country Park to compete in the annual event and they delivered the goods on a very challenging and hilly course against the best school teams in the area.
The races were contested over a mile at the Primary 7 stage and over a slightly shorter distance for Primary 6 pupils.
There were individual medals up for grabs in each race as well as team medals for combined results.
The first race up was Primary 6 girls. Kaitlyn Kelly crossed the finish line in fourth place and she was quickly followed home by Megan Scibberas in seventh position. Ellie Fawbert and Ava O’Neill also finished in excellent finishing positions, just outside the top 10. Their combined efforts were enough for the St Kenneth’s girls to take gold at Primary 6 level.
The next race saw the Primary 6 boys set off. All Primary 6 boys completed the course well, however there was one terrific performance from Anthony McWilliams who ran an amazing race and crossed the line in fifth place.
In the Primary 7 Girl’s event, Lucie Sands was in top form to take gold, while Eva McGrorie ran a superb race to take silver and Skye McLelland claimed a brilliant bronze medal. Alice Jensen was not far behind in ninth place and their outstanding results earned a team gold for St Kenneth’s.
The final race of the day was for Primary 7 boys. Oliver Brown ran a great race for St. Kenneth’s and finished in eighth position, while there were additional great performances from James Black, Luke McCudden and Gabriel McGhee. This resulted in the team being second best overall and receiving team silver.
Team coach, Richard Wyatt, said: “What an amazing effort and outstanding set of performances from St. Kenneth’s Cross Country squad.
“Our pupils were brave, bold and very determined on a tough course.
“The medal haul is so well deserved and is a reflection of their talent, commitment, positive attitude and hard work.”
The entire St. Kenneth’s was represented by the following pupils: Primary 6 Girls: Ellie Fawbert, Ava O’Neill, Farrah Connor, Skye Angus, Megan Sciberras, Kaitlyn Kelly, Hannah Kilpatrick, Orlaith Murphy and Darla Bruen. Primary 6 Boys: Anthony McWilliams, Thomas McNeillie, Alex Mathew, Eryk Necel, Simervir Hara, Paolo Cerqua and Josh Hamilton. Primary 7 Girls: Skye McLellan, Lucie Sands, Eva McGrory, Alice Jensen, Isla Browne, Julia McGhee, Orla McBrearty and Evie Law. Primary 7 Boys: Luke McCudden, Gabriel McGhie, Arran McLellan, Matthew Howard, Oliver Brown , Callum Connell, Euan Leggat, Kar Hen Lau, James Black, Reece Dillon and Zander Lochrin.
* Following the EK final, eight St Kenneth’s runners represented the school and East Kilbride area at the South Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships at Chatelherault Country Park a week later.
All runners completed the course very well, however Lucie Sands ran a cracking race for the P7 girls, finishing in fourth position and as top runner for the East Kilbride area.
She received a silver team medal for East Kilbride, who were the second best team in the race behind Clydesdale.
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