The conditions were overcast as the Roodepoort Athletics Championships were hosted at Ruimsig Stadium this week (15 February). As the sun slowly pushed away the clouds, records began to tumble.
The female athletes from Laerskool Roodekrans were in fine form as they broke and equalled no more than three records. Roodekrans athlete Jessy Bekker set a new time of 12,43 in the girls U/11 70m hurdles event. She broke last year’s record of 12,75 held by Roodepoort Primary School athlete Angelique de Jager. Amyclus Pretorius set a time of 11,66, shaving off the time previous record holder Thea Penberthy from Roodepoort Primary School set in 2011. Penberthy’s second 2011 girls U/13 75m hurdles record of 11,68 was equalled by Briana Kitching. The boys were not to be outdone as Panorama Primary School’s Jayden Hoskins set a 4,42m record in the boys U/10 long jump event. He beat the previous record set by Roodepoort Primary School athlete Frans Weideman in 2011. Laerskool Horison athlete Henricus Meyer set a new record in the boys U/11 shot put event with a 12,14m throw. He beat Laerskool Helderkruin’s Jandrè Labuschagne’s 2016 record of 11,69m.
Jandrè, who now competes in the U/12 category, showed that his shot put performances are progressing as he won gold in the boys U/12 event. Another talented athlete, Roodekrans athlete Suenè Steenkamp won gold in three of her events, being discus (21,04m), javelin (21,43m) and shot put (8,71m). Laerskool Dr Havinga athlete Heinrich Jacobs was on point as he won three gold medals – in the 80m hurdles (11,82), 200m hurdles (29,94) and high jump (1,55m).
The championships that are a lead-up to the D12 District Athletics Championships had more than 80 different items on display to find the best athletes.
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