The best of the best...
ATHLETICS
THE Twizza Super School Series produced a riveting display of schools track-and-field competition last weekend at the Bestmed Tuks Athletics Stadium with Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, Menlo Park High School Girls Team and their Mixed Team claiming the coveted title of South Africa’s Best Athletics School (in their respective categories).
Affectionately dubbed the “North vs South” battle, the Twizza Super School Series grand finale saw 46 of South Africa’s leading athletics schools (1 125 athletes) participate.
Qualifying schools were required to enter 15-member teams (boys, girls and/or mixed) across two age groups U17 and U19. Events that could be entered included 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1 500m, short hurdles, long hurdles, long jump, triple jump, high jump, shotput, discus and javelin.
“We are excited that we started the season with a bang,” said
Athletics South Africa president Aleck Skhosana. “Even more thrilling is that we are affording future stars a chance to experience top-level competition while they are still at school. With the SABC now on board as the official host broadcaster, the future is bright.”
According to Eckhart Potgieter from Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, it feels wonderful to be the best boys’ school in the country. “It feels unreal. The series is a good opportunity to show just who the best school is. And we did it. I am glad that we could be part of it. As a team we motivated each other just by attending practice every day. We are committed. We just did our best and supported each other at all of the races.” Potgieter came
2nd in the 200m and 4th in the Boys U19 100m.
“Winning the trophy today is so unbelievable,” said Janie Blignaut from Menlo Park (Girls Team). “It was a great event and we really looked forward to it. We didn’t know how it would go between us and Affies (Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool). We were so close and they can definitely be proud of their performance here today. Menlo has the ‘gees’, it’s just our thing.” Blignaut finished 5th in the Girls U19 200m and 4th in the Long Jump.
According to Markus Kotzee, from
Menlo Park High School, winning in the mixed team category is breathtaking. “It’s great to compete against the best schools in the country. Motivating each other is just a Menlo thing. It’s what we do.” Kotzee came 2nd in the Boys U19 Shotput and 3rd in the discus.
In addition to an exciting battle between athletics giants, the grand finale also boasted spectacular live performances by five award-winning schools performing arts groups. The line-up included performances by the Jeppe Pipe Band, Menlo Choir, Pretoria Boys’ High Pipe Band, Eldoraigne Drummies Squad and the Prestige College Marimbas.