GEORGE NEWS - Eden's top school athletes are gearing up for the Athletics SA Youth Track and Field Championships, including relays and multi events, at the Herman Immelman Stadium in Germiston from 26 to 28 March.

The Western Cape track and field season recently wrapped up, from high school competitions at Coetzenburg, Stellenbosch, to senior meets at Green Point, Cape Town.

While the athletes delivered outstanding performances, Riette Brand, the team manager for Eden Athletics, highlighted organisational challenges at these events, including poor seeding, delayed medal presentations and limited crowd support. Several appeals were submitted for Eden Athletics athletes who qualified for the SA Schools Track and Field Championships, but were not included in the team selection, and the team is still awaiting a response. Despite these issues, the athletes' dedication remained clear.

To date, 237 athletes across multiple age groups from the Western Cape have been selected. This includes 50 boys and 41 girls in the combined U15 category, 44 boys and 43 girls in the U17 division, and 33 boys and 26 girls competing at U19 level.

The next big stops on the athletics calendar are the SA Schools Track and Field Championships, including relays and multi events, at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg from 8 to 11 April, followed by the SA Senior Championships (16+) with relays and multi events at Coetzenburg from 16 to 18 April.

Eden's qualifiers form part of a strong provincial team. Their selection follows consistent performances at regional and provincial meets.

Ray of speed: Ray-Jordan Schoeman won the boys U17 110m hurdles at the Western Cape Championships. Photo: Jessica Lesch

"These championships are a crucial platform for national recognition," says Brand.

"While past meetings faced organisational hurdles, the focus now should be on delivering a smooth, professional event where athletes, officials and spectators can experience athletics at its best."

Joinel Korunna, the athletics convener of Pacaltsdorp High, said four talented athletes from the school will participate this weekend.

"Their performances at the previous event led them to the nationals. Tilow Barnes delivered an outstanding performance by qualifying in two events. He completed the 100m in a time of 10.97 seconds and also qualified in the 400m with a time of 50.58 seconds. Elistene Adams qualified in the 1 500m steeplechase with a time of 5:56, while Inganathi Bambiso produced a strong performance in the 800m, qualifying with a time of 02:11.45. Lucrain Lingerveld also secured his place in the 2 000m steeplechase with an impressive time of 06:35.74.

Tilow Barens, Lucrain Lingerveld, Elstine Adams and Inganathi Bambiso on their way to the Athletics SA Youth and Junior Championships. Photo: Supplied

"The school and community are proud of their achievements and wish them all the best for the championships," said Korunna.

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