Pupils from across the county braved the freezing conditions to take part in the South Yorkshire Schools Cross Country Finals at Penistone Show Ground last weekend.

Teams from all four boroughs battled it out for places on the South Yorkshire team in the prestigious English Schools Cross Country Championships, which take place at Temple Newsome Park in Leeds next month. Eight places in each category were up for grabs with most offered by placings on the day, but a small number of places were offered on a discretionary basis to athletes who were unable to compete on the day

Rotherham schools fielded strong teams throughout the categories and eleven athletes were successful in gaining their places on the South Yorkshire team. All eleven athletes are members of the Rotherham Harriers.

In the Year 8/9 boys event Josh Gilbert took fourth place, closely followed by Luke Parker in fifth. Both boys were representing Wickersley School.

The girls Y8/9 saw three Rotherham athletes make the team with Hayley Butcher (Maltby) taking second ahead of Olivia Bell (Swinton) and Amelia Topliss (Wickersley).

Elliott Morton (Wales) ran a strong race where he battled hard with friendly rival Scott Nutter from Barnsley to take second place in the Y10/11 boys and Jack Stokes (Wath) put in a great performance to take second in the Y12/13 boys.

Cyane Robinson (Wickersley) came home in second in the Year 12/13 girls event, closely followed by Emily Holden (Dinnington) in fourth. Rotherham Harriers teammates Emma Ball (Wales) and Keiva Rennocks (Wales) were unable to take part in Saturday’s event but were selected on discretionary places, based on their strong and consistent performances both within the Rotherham Schools Championships and in club competitions in recent months.

The Rotherham Y7 girls team dominated their event taking the first four places. The race was led from the start by Lilia Harris (Wales) who gradually extended her lead across the 2500m course to take a comfortable win ahead of her Rotherham schools’ and Rotherham Harriers’ teammates Mischa Walsh (Rawmarsh) in second, Amelia Longden (Rawmarsh) third and Emily Bott (Wales) in fourth. Reece Levitt (Wath) and Luke Stables (Swinton) were the highest placed Rotherham Y7 boys.

the Primary and Y7 Championships that take place at Prestwold Hall, Loughborough in March.