QE boys tough it out in winter: cross country update

Three boys were selected to run for Barnet at the Middlesex Cross Country Schools Championships, following outstanding QE performances at borough level.

In the Barnet Cross Country Championships, Patrick Owen, of Year 7, helped his team to overall victory, finishing the race himself in third place. The Year 8 team finished second – “an excellent result given that they were mainly competing against Year 9 teams from other schools,” said Head of Games Mark Peplow. In the individual placings, Year 8’s Rufus Kent came first (pictured above in blue vest) and is thus Barnet Champion, while Saamkyu Smart was second. Both put in “outstanding efforts”, according to Mr Peplow.

Patrick, Rufus and Saamkyu were all picked to compete for Barnet in the county championships. “Patrick came 11^th, Rufus 33rd and Sam 37th. Rufus and Sam were competing against boys a year older than themselves, so did well and hopefully next year will be placed much higher,” added Mr Peplow.

At QE, the House cross-country competition, run as part of the PE curriculum, went ahead despite the snow (pictured above and right). Stapylton won the Year 8 contest, with Broughton second and Underne third. In the individual race, the two county competitors excelled – Rufus came first and Saamkyu was second, while Joseph Runchman took third place.