Oswestry Olympians Juniors first event of 2024 saw them face some of the most challenging conditions for many years at the Shropshire County Cross Country Championships last Saturday. 

The racing took place only after several inspections of the Attingham Park course, with the race referees making slight adjustments to ensure that the major event of the Shropshire Cross Country Calendar could take place.

First to take on the mud and water was the U13 Girls team of Gabriella Iglis-Downes, Evie Baillie and Hannah Newman in a 2km race. 

Collectively their efforts earned bronze team medals. 

Facing the U13 Boys’ 3km course proved no problem for Finley Jones who ran well to secure a top 20 finish. 

Also running the 3km course were the U15 Girls. 

In this race Erin Woolcock finished third and earned a place in the county team while Poppy Ashworth showed the progress she has made this season coming home a more than respectable ninth. 

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Another determined performance came from Ollie Coburn in the U17 Boys’ 5km race. 

Despite the setback of losing a shoe in the mud, Ollie fought back bravely claim a top five finish and a place in the county team.

The next major cross country race in the county will be the Shropshire Schools’ Annual Championships to be held on Saturday, February 3rd, once again at Oswestry School. 

Entries for this event normally approach 400 and are made collectively by each school. 

Any individual whose school is not entering can be entered by their parents before the closing date of Thursday 25th January.

Cross country is not the only discipline offered by the club with its volunteer coaches also providing training in Sportshall and track and field events. 

Its membership, currently totalling 80, is open to anyone, irrespective of ability, from the age of nine with the only limitation being the numbers that can safely be catered for in each age category.

The club coaches pride themselves on offering an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. 

This is evident in competitions where the club members have a great reputation for supporting each other.

Another example of that is Welsh international Adele Nicoll, the current British Shot Put champion. 

Nicoll started her athletics career in Oswestry Olympians and still posts supportive comments to current members on the club’s Facebook site. 

Nicoll came third in the shot put event at the 2022 British Indoor Athletics Championships, throwing a personal best distance of 17.02 metres.

At the 2022 Welsh Athletics Championships, Nicoll won both the shot put and discus events.

In June 2022, she was selected in the Welsh team for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the shot put event.

Later that month, she won the shot put event at the 2022 British Athletics Championships; she had previously finished in third place in seven editions of the championships.

At the Commonwealth Games, Nicoll finished eighth in the shot put event with a distance of 17.30 metres.

Multi-talented Adele is also an international discus thrower and has recently joined the GB Bobsleigh team winning the first GB female bobsleigh medal for 13 years in only her second World Cup event last year.

The club also offers opportunities to train as an athletics official. 

Two members, Tom and Kate Hotchkiss were selected to assist at both the UK Outdoor Championships at Birmingham and the  English Schools’ Championships at Manchester while Kate also fulfilled various roles at the three day British Masters’ Championships at Derby.

The club trains on Saturday mornings at 11am Gatacre Playing field and on Thursday evenings at The Marches Sportshall. 
Parents of interested youngsters should contact the head coach Chris Tidridge to book a free taster session.