Locals qualify for nationals, others earn personal milestones

It was always going to be tough for the local athletes but they held their own to claim podium positions during the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) Cross-Country Championships at the Kagiso Sports Complex on August 19.

After a grueling season traversing the province, it all came to an end with another fierce battle in the Krugersdorp Township.

It wasn’t only the battle for gold that occupied the likes of Mahlatse Mamonyane from East Athletic Club (EAC) and Chelsea van Dyk from the Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC)’s minds.

It was also their opportunity to earn a ticket to represent CGA at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Cross-Country Championships next month.

Van Dyk (girls’ U12) and Mamonyane (girls’ U10) were brave and displayed maturity throughout the CGA cross-country season, so it was no surprise when they returned to Benoni with gold medals around their necks on Saturday evening.

“I’m extremely impressed by our athletes and their performance at the champs. It was impressive to see the fundamentals we have been working on coming through in a high pressure situation,” said Van Dyk’s coach, Michael van Aswegen at the BNAC.

Jade Doran claimed a silver medal, improving from 10th from last year. Alexia Visser won her first provincial silver medal.

Nadia Myburg (girls’ U8) and Kayla Botha (girls’ U10) also punched their ticket to the nationals after finishing fourth and sixth, respectively.

“The children are in good shape and now we can look forward to hitting that peak at the nationals,” Van Aswegen added.

Van Dyk’s teammate at Northerns, Siyanda Madlabane, also went into the championship red-hot. The 12-year old from Siphethu Primary School grabbed the spotlight again, winning the boys’ U12 3km to book his ticket to the nationals.

Madlabane’s coach, Nkanyiso Mthembu, was impressed with how the speedster competed but reserved special praise for Khaya Madonsela, who finished in fifth position in the boys’ U10 3km event.

“I’m happy for my boys. It was extremely tough for Khaya. It was his first time in such a competition. He was nervous but he tried,” said Mthembu.

The EAC returned from the showpiece with a gold (Mamonyane), silver (Mmathapelo Ntanga) and two bronze medals (Azelia Zitha and Meetse Skipa).

“Overall, our athletes performed. The competition was tight. We worked hard for the four medals. The club was well represented,” said Coach Isaac Ndlovu.

The Benoni High Athletic Club’s Bronwyn Nel finished sixth in the girls’ U17 4km. Her teammate, Camryn de Meyer was eighth in the same category. Kiara Pepler was the club’s top performer after finishing fifth in the girls’ U16 4km race.

With the tough job behind them, the runners are waiting anxiously for CGA to officially announce the team going to the nationals.

Also Read: Northerns runner eyes top six at provincials

Also Read: Local runners geared up for provincials