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GEORGE NEWS - Chris Marais, chairperson of Eden Schools athletics, expressed pride and excitement following the successful completion of the Eden High Schools Athletics Championships held at Outeniqua High School on Saturday, 28 February.

He explained that after Athletics South Western Districts (ASWD) separated the Eden High Schools and ASWD championships and moved the events from Rosemoor Stadium to Outeniqua High School and the De Jager Stadium in Oudtshoorn, the Eden Schools committee was left with less than two weeks to prepare.

Despite the short timeframe, Marais said the committee delivered. “All the chairpersons of the schools stepped in, enrolled the athletes and provided officials. They did exceptionally well considering the time constraints,” he said.

According to Marais, the shift created an opportunity for schools to reclaim responsibility for the event. He believes the championships should be organised and managed by the schools themselves, as ASWD operates primarily along a club route. “This is how it was meant to be. It was something that needed to be brought back to Eden Schools athletics,” he said.

He added that bringing the event under the management of Eden Schools athletics presents an opportunity to raise standards and further develop athletics at school level. The process also compelled the committee to formalise its structures, elect a management team and complete a constitution.

Six districts were represented at the championships, with a total of 870 athletes participating. 

George district delivered a standout performance, securing 211 medals. 

With the exception of the steeplechase, which took place in Oudtshoorn on Tuesday, 24 February, the full track and field programme was accommodated. Events included long jump, pole vault, hurdles and hammer throw.

 Fourie Kotze winner boys u/15 shotput. Photo: Servaas de Kock 

Marais said separating the two championships provides athletes with additional preparation time ahead of the Western Cape and South African championships.

The committee also arranged for qualifying athletes to be fitted for and order their attire in time for the upcoming Western Cape Championships. 

The ASWD Championships are taking place today, Thursday 5 March, at Outeniqua High School (for the pole jump event) and 6–7 March at the De Jager Stadium in Oudtshoorn.

 Mari Pretorius, high jump winner girls u/19. Photo: Servaas de Kock 

Of the approximately 1 350 participants overall, about 250 athletes from the George district will compete at the Western Cape level. The Western Cape Championships are scheduled to take place from 12–14 March at the Coetzenburg Stadium in Stellenbosch and the South African Schools championships are scheduled for 2-4 April.

George District – Records / Top Performances

Girls 14

• 100m – Megan Botha: 12.82 (1st, 824 points)
• 200m – Megan Botha: 25.97 (1st, 874 points)
• Long Jump – Elrechia Hendricks: 4.77m (1st, 632 points)
• High Jump – Carlien Beukman: 1.48m (1st, 670 points)
• 1500m Steeplechase – Whitney Africa: 6:09.07 (1st, record points)

Boys 14

• 100m - Dugan Kemoetie: 12.14 (1st, 651 points)
• 200m - Dugan Kemoetie: 24.27 (1st, 700 points)
• Long Jump - Rucian Draai: 5.45m (1st, 613 points)
• 400m - Dugan Kemoetie: 55.67 (1st, 709 points)
• 800m - Ruan Share: 2:10.58 (1st, 575 points)
• 1500m Steeplechase - Emmanual Jacobs: 5:04.90 (1st, record points)

Girls 15

• 100m - Kemilke Van Zyl: 13.27 (1st, 755 points)
• 200m - Kemilke Van Zyl: 26.65 (1st, 820 points)
• 400m - Sammy de Kock: 1:01.64 (1st, 817 points)
• 800m - Lika Oudhugo: 2:35.74 (1st, 700 points)
• Long Jump - Kemilke Van Zyl: 4.77m (1st, 576 points)

Boys 15

• 100m - Aquilla Julies: 11.33 (1st, 758 points)
• 200m - Aquilla Julies: 22.96 (1st, 777 points)
• 400m - Aquilla Julies: 52.95 (1st, 772 points)
• 800m - Laume Liebenberg: 2:08.88 (1st, 579 points)
• 1500m - Tristan Meyer: 4:22.71 (1st, 780 points)

Girls 17

• 100m - Somila Jantjies: 13.12 (1st, 750 points)
• 200m - Megan Stahmer: 26.13 (1st, 827 points)
• 400m - Megan Stahmer: 59.26 (1st, 853 points)
• 1500m - Julia Painter: 2:21.60 (1st, 813 points)

Boys 17

• 100m - Ray-Jordan Schoeman: 10.96 (1st, 788 points)
• 200m - Marco Lesch: 22.05 (1st, 819 points)
• 400m - Lu-Antheo Abrahams: 51.73 (1st, 780 points)
• 1500m - Jacobus Du Plessis: 4:00.88 (1st, 895 points)
• Long Jump - Emiliano Adams: 6.49m (1st, 750 points)

Girls 19

• 100m - Lynne Walters: 12.94 (1st, 748 points)
• 200m - Lynne Walters & Kayla Bezuidenhout (tie): 26.58 (1st, 780 points)
• 400m - Catherine-Lee Gouws: 1:04:17 (1st, 728 points)
• 800m - Jani Fourie: 2:25.97 (1st, 767 points)
• 1500m - Chelsea Saayman: 5:21.64 (1st, 652 points)

Boys 19

• 100m - Keanan Nathan: 10.79 (1st, 788 points)
• 200m - Keanan Nathan: 21.32 (1st, 857points)
• 400m hurdles - Keanan Nathan: 56.36 (1st, 797 points)
• 800m - Daniel Van Zyl: 2:01.27 (1st, 618 points)
• 3000m Steeplechase - Luciano Squire: 10:11.38 (1st, 864 points)

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