England call for winter warrior Rory
RORY Leonard will look to follow Sam Charlton’s lead as he flies the flag for the region at an international gathering.
Charlton’s debut in an England Schools vest was a superb one as he finished second at the Home Countries Schools Cross-Country International.
Now Morpeth Harriers’ runner Leonard has been named in the England team for the prestigious International Schools’ Federation (ISF) World Cross-Country Championships, which take place next Wednesday in Paris.
It is no surprise the Morpeth King Edward VI School pupil has received a call-up given he has reeled off a string of notable winter performances.
Leonard has been practically unbeatable over the country since the turn of the year, winning the Northern Championships before following that up with an outstanding victory in the Inter-Counties in Loughborough earlier this month.
The only setbacks for the teenager came in the Antrim British Athletics Cross Challenge event where, competing against older athletes, he finished in second place.
Also, in the National at Parliament Hill in February when, up with the leaders, he took an unfortunate tumble - though he managed to get up and start running again.
However, a second fall soon afterwards scuppered his chances completely and it was no surprise he did not finish.
Leonard is part of a six-man team representing English Schools’ and he goes head-tohead against athletes from around 30 other countries.