Guernsey Press

Sarah's success a victory for sheer perseverance

IF YOU went looking for a prime example of succeeding on the back of sheer perseverance, Sarah Mercier's first senior county cross-country title, would fit the bill.

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Mercier has been flying off to the Hampshire Championships every January since the age of 11 in 2002.

Despite being outstanding at local level, every year she came back home without an individual medal, until last year when she collected a senior bronze.

A year on, and on her return to Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Mercier, now 23, went two places better and lifted the title.

'It's a fantastic story of someone keeping going and finally getting her reward,' said GIAAC team manager, Paul Ingrouille.

Guernsey's male runners may not have claimed the individual silverware, but they also showed great strength in depth.

Richard Kowenicki, in his first outing in a Guernsey vest, finished a superb fourth to lead the team to bronze.

The under-15 and under-13 boys secured bronze and silver team medals respectively and, like Kowenicki, the leading Sarnian juniors were just outside the individual medals but at the same time staked major claims for county selection.

  • More in today's Guernsey Press.

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