Cross-Country 14 (1972-73)

The end of the 1972/73 Cross Country season saw the end of a team that has slowly been built up over the past five years and which has consistently improved and always run with considerable verve and determination.

Although this was the best season for many years and although in rivalry with Dr. Challoners, the team provided spectators and athletes alike with some of the closest and most exciting finishes of recent years, some of the team must have felt disappointed that a clean sweep of the local trophy competitions was not possible.

Injury plagued the team throughout the season and in many cases it was the nagging sort of injury that persisted for weeks and merely prevented extended training rather than stopped racing.

In the event the retention of the Kerton Trophy (by two seconds!), the Borough of Hillingdon Senior Championship (for the sixth successive year) and the Ivanhoe Shield (by more than a hundred points), and the capturing, for the first time, of the Dr. Challoners Relay Trophy were fine achievements, and the five second places are a tribute to the dedication of the team.

Every race produced its own exciting moments and outstanding individual performances, but the two races that really stood out were the Kerton Trophy, where some brilliant middle order running made the final victory possible, and the Coventry relay where for the first four laps the team held either first or second place against the cream of English Schools' Cross Country running, and but for fielding a side weakened by injury might easily have finished in the first three.

As captain Kevin Harris was largely responsible for the tremendous amount of training that the team got through, and he undoubtedly helped and inspired several young runners. His own form was wretched as he was the victim of persistent shin soreness throughout the year and was further laid low with illness after Christmas. Despite this he remained an in- spiration to the team and deserves everyone's grateful thanks for the amount of time and energy that he has given School Cross Country during the past five years.

Anthony and Steve Allen the twins were also putting in their last cross country season for the School and as in past seasons they were immaculately consistent in races and dedicated to their training. Both should have run for the County, but Anthony strained his back just before the County trials and only Steve enjoyed the pleasures of the Swindon course. They have given much in effort and interest to the team and have deserved all their success.

The School's other County runner, "talking" Steve Blackburn, had a fine season and as the weeks passed matured into a first class athlete. His attitude to training has always been good, but he now believes in himself and next year he should go from strength to strength.

The other long-serving member of the team, Steve "Smiler" Shellard also had his best season ever. He trained more than ever before, ran with greater determination and concentration than previously and played a positive part in the team's success.

The one newcomer, John Fullick, is essentially an 800 metres runner and was next at his best over the longer distances. Although some of his early season performances were quite impressive, he never really rose to the challenge, and lacked the essential bite and determination that could have produced some really outstanding runs.

Paul Foley and Martin Lovely were regular members of the squad who will contribute much next year and these notes cannot close without a tribute to the unfailing, unflagging determination of Richard Allen, who trained as hard as anyone throughout the season for very little material reward. His enthusiasm and persistence were a model for any aspiring athlete.

In these my last Cross Country notes, I would like to thank everyone who has run for the School in the past six years, but in particular my thanks go to this year's squad who had provided me with some memories of running that will long be with me. Ever courteous, ever willing and ever enthusiastic, they made me proud to be associated with St. Nicholas Cross Country.

G. S. JOINER