St Mary's EPACC Athletes Shine in Indoor British Championships and National Cross Country Championships.

A number of St Mary’s University, Twickenham Craig Winrow students posted impressive performances last weekend at the National Cross Country Championships held on a testing course at Donington Park, and the Indoor British Championships at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. St Mary’s EPACC athletes Lilly Partridge and Jonny Hay won the Senior Women and Men’s titles respectively overcoming fierce competition and tough terrain at Donington Park. Current St Mary’s student Ellis Cross had a superb run in the Junior Men’s race with a narrow victory over fellow EPACC athlete Gus Cockle, winning by just 30 seconds. Other notable performances included a 12th place finish for Louise Small in the Senior Women’s race, Jack Rowe, a current St Mary’s student and Mo Farah Foundation scholar, finished 12th in the Junior Men’s race closely followed by fellow student, Matthew Arnold in 13th. Two further St Mary’s students placed well with Rebecca Howard finishing a respectable 13th place in the Junior Women’s race with Alanah Harris recording a top 20 finish in 19^th place. The Indoor British Championships produced some inspired performances from EPACC Athletes Steph Twell, Adelle Tracey and Charlie Grice. Steph Twell confirmed her automatic qualification for the World Indoor Championships as she finished in 8:54.99 for the women’s 3,000m. Speaking to British Athletics, Steph said: “I’m excited (about the prospect of racing in Portland), after my race in Glasgow (Indoor Grand Prix) I’m positive about looking towards the top 12. I want to be racing these girls who I will be coming up against in the summer and I’d like to mix it up with them. I’m confident in my training and routine at the moment so if I can execute that, I know we are going in the right direction.” Current St Mary’s student Adelle Tracey powered down the home straight in the women’s 800m, crossing the line in 2:02.99. The 22-year-old has secured automatic qualification for the World Indoor Championships, her first senior vest. Charlie Grice produced a season’s best performance of 3:46.50 claiming victory in the men’s 1,500m. The defending champion hit the front with 300m to go and confirmed his automatic place on the GB & NI team having achieved the qualifying time last summer. EPACC athlete James Brewer saw a return to form to secure second place in the race, recording a time of 3:46.70. All three athletes have been selected to represent GB and NI in the World Indoor Championships in Portland, Oregon from 17^th– 20^th March 2016. Craig Winrow, EPACC Centre Coordinator and Performance Coach said: “What a great weekend by our EPACC athletes. Three athletes making the world indoors and the success at the National Cross Country shows how strong the EPACC program has become.”