Young athletes of Northwest Christian School have bolted past the rest to earn recognition and call-ups to the top level.
Representing the G7 district, 14 athletes won medals at the South African Christian Schools Sports Association (Sacssa) National Championships in Sasolburg on 29 and 30 September.
Five of these have been chosen to compete for a Sacssa invitational team against provincial teams at the Sub-Youth Inter-Provincial Athletics in Potchefstroom on 18 November.
“The children did brilliantly at nationals, it might be the best we have ever done,” said proud athletics coach, Jenny Renwick. “The athletes had perseverance and did not give up on trying to do their personal best.”
Oluchi Ndubueze (8), who took four gold medals and one bronze medal, including Sacssa records in the 60m and 80m events, just loves to hit the track.
“Running is just so nice,” she said. “I don’t know what it is about it but it is such a nice thing to use your legs to run.
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Along with Ndubueze, Damian Brink (13), Tai Lawrenson (10), Kelsey Geyer (7) and Daniel Ellis (12) are also looking forward to the inter-provincials.
“My secret to nationals was to block out the noise and everyone outside the run until the end,” said Lawrenson, who took two golds and a silver.
Silver medalist in shot-put and javelin, Brink said he was a bit nervous at nationals at first, but later felt more comfortable and threw further.
“I play cricket, so I guess that helps with my throwing,” he said.
