HIGH-FLYING Halesowen AC had a host of athletes competing in the Hereford and Worcester County Schools Cross Country Championships which took place at Hereford Race Course.

Runners had already qualified through their schools and then districts to compete at the trials, where those finishing in the top six would automatically go on to compete in the English School Championships, which this year will be staged at Leicestershire’s Donnington Park in March.

Three Halesowen under-15 girls made the county team: Abigail Saker, who attends Bromsgrove School, took top spot in her race, while both Ellie Childs and Livvy Worth fought their way through after Ellie just edged her way past Livvy on the line

Halesowen also had two of their senior boys produce prominent runs, with Max Parker producing a strong performance to finish second while Sam Lloyd-Perks came fourth.

Both boys attend Worcester Sixth Form College In the meantime, West Midlands Schools held their trials at Warley Woods.

Once again Halesowen AC was well represented.

Phoebe Dodd had a fabulous run in the under-20 competition to finish in second place and will represent the West Midlands at Donnington Park in the senior race.

In the junior race, there was a great battle between Halesowen runners Katrina Simpson, who finished fifth, and team mate Lily Higgins sixth, both obtaining selection as well.