TAVISTOCK’S Tess Masselink claimed her first senior Westward Cross Country League victory at Exeter Arena on Sunday.
The teenager crossed the line 14 seconds ahead of Cornwall’s veteran international Emma Stepto, who took second again, just like she had done at Newquay last month.
Masselink, who had finished third in the opening two races of the league having just moved up from the under-17s, clocked 17.37 minutes, with Stepto finishing in 17.51.
City of Plymouth’s Poppy Tank, who had won the last leg at Newquay, had to settle for third place at Exeter in 18.12, with her team-mate Hannah Blair fourth in 18.31.
Tank, however, was the first Devonian home, with Sunday’s event also doubling as the Devon County Championships.
Erme Valley Harriers’ Cleo Perry had another good run, finishing ninth overall, seventh senior and second over-40 in 19.00.
City of Plymouth’s Eimer O’Neil was third under-17 home in 19.52, while Tavistock’s Victoria Moore was fifth under-17 in 20.36.
Tavistock also enjoyed success in the under-15 girls’ category, where Natasha Farrington took third in a race won by Cornwall’s Grace Brook.
In the under-13 girls’ race, there were top 10 finishes for Tavistock’s Tilly McDowell (8th) and Erme Valley’s April Oakshott (10th). North Devon’s Shae Miles won that race.
Erme Valley’s Ella Isaias was eighth overall in the under-11 girls’ event, which was won by Cornwall’s Maisy Luke.
Success for the region’s men was in short supply at Exeter, with Erme Valley’s Will Battershill, who had triumphed at Newquay, not running.
The only top 10 finishes from male athletes from the Plymouth and west Devon area came in the under-17 age group where Erme Valley’s Nathan Brown was fourth in 17.19 and Tavistock’s Johannes Clifford-Evans was sixth in 17.33. Exeter’s Finley McLear won that race.
Exmouth’s Tom Merson was first home in the senior race, with James Greenwood (Newquay & Par) winning the under-15s event, Bradley McLellan (Newquay & Par) triumphing at under-13s and Cornwall’s Zak Clemens victorious at under-11 level.
The next Frank Elford Sports Westward Cross Country League meet is at Westward Ho! on January 10.
Full results can be found HERE
The Armada Network will be holding their third Winter 3k Series race at Central Park on Wednesday. As it is the last one before Christmas there will be a festival theme to the race with mince pies to all who run. The event starts at 7pm but runners must register at the Life Centre by 6.45pm. Entry is £2.50.