LEE McCash of West Craven High School, Barnoldswick, slithered face down through the mud to cover the last few feet of the course and win the English Schools Intermediate Cross Country Championship on Cheltenham Racecourse, writes GEORGE KIRBY.

In a career over the country which is only a season old, he has already given every indication that the sky is the limit for what he could achieve.

Lee (left) has taken titles at this season's Lancashire Schools, Lancashire and Northern Championships.

His Cheltenham victory is a wonderful step on the way to the top and the climb could go on in just five days time when he tackles the best in the country at the National Championships at Leeds this Saturday, March 14.

On April 4 he will lead the England team in the schools international at Durham.

How does he feel about his latest success? "Surprised but chuffed," he said.

His coach, Mark Ashworth, felt differently. He was confident that Lee

would win but overcome when he saw him do it.

"He's recovered now," said Lee.

I am sure he has!

To round off the Cheltenham mudlarks Lee led home a winning Lancashire team which also included Jonathan O'Dea of Blackburn who was 27th and his clubmate Liam Barton, 112th, and swamped the opposition.

Team result: 1 Lancashire 164 points, 2 West Midlands 355, 3 Kent 361.

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