LEON Wheeler and Jodie Judd were the stars of the show at the Essex Schools Cross-Country Championships.

Wheeler, from Billericay’s Mayflower School, won the junior boys race while Judd, now at the King John School sixth form in Thundersley, won the senior girls title at Hilly Fields, Colchester.

The championships formed the basis for the Essex team selection for the English Schools Cross-Country Championships which take place in Wollaton Park, Nottingham, in March.

The first six athletes in each race guaranteed their space in the Essex team while the next two places will be left to the selectors’ decision.

Furthermore, the first 20 athletes in each race were selected to run for Essex in the South East Intercounties Championships next month.

Wheeler, who runs for Thurrock Harriers, got the better of his Mayflower School team-mate Oliver Lill who was the next home in second in what was a good junior boys race for the Basildon district.

Southend’s Daniel Riley also booked his spot in the Essex team for the English Schools with a fine fourth-placed finish.

Judd stamped her authority on the senior girls race with only Basildon AC’s Isobel Ives, representing Havering schools, the only athlete to get anywhere near her as she finished second.

Another Basildon AC athlete Jemima Walker (Mid-Essex) was fifth and booked her spot on the bus to the English Schools while Southend’s Olivia Sofroniou was seventh.

Southend’s Toby Wright was a fine third in the intermediate boys race while, in the intermediate girls race, Joanna Rimmington (also of Southend) finished in the same place, a fine run given she is in the younger end of the age group.

Sinead Clark (Castle Point & Rochford) was fifth while her team-mate Niamh Smith was just outside the top eight in ninth.

With two in the top 10, it was no surprise Castle Point & Rochford won the team event with Grace Goodall (12th) and Abby Rex (17th) completing the team.

King John School sixth-former George Elliott (Castle Point & Rochford) was runner-up in the senior boys race behind Redbridge’s Ahmed Abdulle and just ahead of his training partner Harrison Smith (Southend) in third.

Castle Point & Rochford duo Christian Gray and Brandon Thorpe were ninth and 10th.

Southend won the team prize in the senior boys race with Michael Hodges (15th), James Jenkins (17th) and Adam Jordan (18th) all packing well behind team leader Smith.

In the junior girls race, Gable Hall School’s Hayley Instance was fifth and sealed her spot at the English Schools Championships.