Athletics: 7th National School Cross Country Championships |01 April 2016

Unstoppable Anse Royale at it again!

Not so long ago, Anse Royale secondary school was merely just another school when it came to athletics but its rise to the top of the sport is one that is here to stay it seems as it dominated another championship yesterday.

The school was dominant at the 7th National School Cross Country Championships held at the Roche Caïman fitness trail yesterday and not only was it recognised as the best school, one of its top long distance runners was also a record breaker.

Meryle Rabat, a name synonymous to female long distance running in recent years, slashed almost five seconds off the previous female under-18 record of 15 minutes 35.2 seconds (15:35.2) to bring the new record time at 15:30.81.

“As this was the last time I represented Anse Royale secondary school in this championship, I really wanted to do well and leave my mark,” said an overjoyed Rabat, adding that she is very happy to have set this new record.

Anse Royale was named as the best school for the female category with a total of 39 points, far ahead of joint second-placed teams Belonie and Pointe Larue who both amassed 15 points.  In the male category, it was also Anse Royale who finished first with 29 points, eight ahead of Anse Boileau, while Mont Fleuri finished with 19 points.

This result means that Anse Royale finished with a total of 68 points followed by Anse Boileau on 34 points. English River and Mont Fleuri were joint third with 30 points.

There were six races in total and the male and female competitors raced over 1.5km (under-14 years), 2km (under-16 years) and 4km (under-18 years).

The following are the results of the top three finishers in each race:

Female under-14: 1. Nyra Nourrice (6:12.24) – La Digue, 2. Allison Larue (6:22.76) – Anse Royale, 3. Elia Anderson (6:38.36) – Anse Royale

Male under-14: 1. Harrison Henriette (5:35.30) – Anse Boileau, 2. Andrianno Belle (5:43.63) – Belonie, 3. Kurt Lesperance (5:48.01) – Anse Boileau

Female under-16: 1. Maura Raoul (8:11.25) – Anse Royale, 2. Anisha Rabat (8:41.08) – Anse Royale 3. Tessy Bristol (8:44.16) – Anse Royale

Male under 16: 1. Johannus Lucas (6:58.32) – Anse Royale, 2. Jean Pierre Barallon (7:00.50) – Anse Royale, 3. Stephane Fred (7:04.58) – Praslin

Female under-18: 1. Meryle Rabat (15:30.81 NR) – Anse Royale, 2. Zarah Louys (15:56.54) – Anse Royale, 3. Amanda Fanchette (17:56.20) – Mont Fleuri

Male under-18: 1. Mervin Monthy (14:33.12) – Anse Royale, 2. Ryan Henriette (14:36.27) – Mont Fleuri, 3. Daryl Hibonne (14:37.63) – Anse Royale

S. N.