Coetzer elated with her performance at nationals

Samantha Coetzer would be forgiven for shouting in excitement after a top-10 finish and helping Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) to a team gold in her category in her first SA cross-country championships on September 7.

The Boksburg resident clocked a 14:36 season’s best to finish eighth in the senior women’s 4km race after Karabo Mailula from Athletic North Gauteng (AGN) tore through the two-lap course in 13:12 to win the national title, leading an AGN top three after Carina Swiegers (13:46) secured the silver and Lizandre Mulder (13:47) rounded up the podium.

This was one of the most difficult races Coetzer has run. She went to the event to gain experience and never anticipated she would clock a personal milestone or finish anywhere near the top 10.

“The race was incredibly tough, fast and ‘lekker’. I never thought it would be tough to run fast on sand and the crowd cheering us on was awesome,” she said.

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The cherry on top for the Nedbank RC athlete was securing CGA a team gold in the event with her teammates Jannah Sethowa (14:18), Sisanda Dumisa (14:20) and Zanele Monica Maisa (14:35), who finished fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively.

“I am happy with my performance. But I did not think I would be placed in the top 10, as there were talented and amazing athletes. The best part is that as team CGA, we received a gold medal.”

This was a valuable experience for Coetzer and I would go back to the drawing board highly motivated to prepare for the next season.

“My experience was so much better than what I had expected. When I saw all the athletes in their provincial colours, I knew it was for real.

“The adrenaline rush, mixed with some nervousness that I got while I walked to the start with my CGA teammates, was intense. I felt I had achieved something. I am motivated to race again in the SA champs next year,” Coetzer said.

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