As South Africans cheered the national rowing team on at this year’s 2016 Rio Olympics, St John’s College was represented in spirit and elite athleticism, as the college’s rowing club continues to soar to greater heights producing top contenders.
The rowing club was launched in early 2001 and has grown significantly since then, with St John’s now being considered a top South African rowing school, winning the first eight events in the 2012, 2013 and 2015 South African Schools Rowing Championship regattas.
Matric pupil Ross Le Maitre, who competed in the Junior World Championship Regatta in Rotterdam in the junior men’s coxed four event, has received his national colours. His crew came 7th overall, winning the B final ahead of Ukraine and Great Britain.
At the Olympics, David Hunt, who matriculated in 2009, finished fourth in the men’s coxless fours event for Team SA. This crew came very close to winning a medal as they were just two seconds off third place.
At the Paralympics, the South African Mixed LTA4+ was coxed by former St John’s pupil Willie Morgan.
Other outstanding rowing club results over the past year include Daniel Carter and James Mitchell (who both matriculated last year) winning the School Team of the Year at the 10th annual SA Sports Awards. Both oarsmen achieved 5th place at the 2015 Junior World Championships and Mitchell was selected for the men’s coxless pair who competed in the U23 World Rowing Championships in Rotterdam in August this year.
Read: Coetzee set sights on donning the green and gold jersey
Add us on Whatsapp for the latest news by adding 079 4395 345 to your contact list and just send your name to us so we can save your number. Click here to find out more about our Whatsapp policy.
