Athletes for 2009
This year’s grade eights took up the challenge and joined athletics in huge numbers. 2009 saw the biggest grade eight group of athletes we’ve had in many years. As is tradition, our first athletics meeting – the Zone meeting, saw VP participating in big numbers, matching our rival schools – Pearson and DF Malherbe. This was the first high school competition for our grade eight pupils – a daunting task and challenge for some, while it was a “walk in the park” for others. Athletes have to be placed in the first three positions in each event to qualify for the PEHS Meeting. The following athletes qualified for the PE High Schools’ competition:
U/14 Girls:
Anuschka Assam (400m), Inge Fankhauser (800m), Takara Eriksson (LJ & 1500m)
U/14 Boys:
Tristan Eriksson (1500m), Daniel Vissagie (400m)
U/15 Boys:
Daryl Bailie (100m, LJ), Sinethemba Mdlungu (400m),
U/16 Girls:
Jenny Wren (HJ)
U/16 Boys:
Ethan Frost (100m)
U/17 Girls:
Louise Pretorius (200m, 400m, 800m)
U/17 Boys:
Christopher Jacobson (100m, 200m), Luxolo Dlova (800m)
U/19 Girls:
Susan Wells (100m, 200m, 400m)
U/19 Men:
Ayanda Foley (100m, 200m), Dini Noyo (200m, 400m) and Richard Rautenbach (400m)
The PE High Schools’ competition proved to be very tough, especially for our junior athletes. The best three athletes from each of the 9 zones in PE converge hoping to be placed in the best 4 positions, for the right to compete in the Metro High Schools’ Championships. There were two highlights of this competition – the 100m race for men U/19 and the U/19 men’s relay. Both races were won by VP, with Ayanda Foley winning the 100m in a fantastic time of 10.9s! This achievement was followed with an excellent 4 x 100m relay victory at the end of the day! VP took an early lead in the race through Richard Rautenbach who handed the baton over to Ayanda on the back – straight. Ayanda ensured that we extended our lead before handing over the baton to Dini Noyo who maintained our lead through the second bend. All that was left was for U/17 Christopher Jacobson to cruise to the finish line with very little effort!
The PE High Schools meet also saw Daniel Vissagie, Louise Pretorius and Susan Wells dominating their opponents in the 200m and 400m races. The following athletes qualified to compete at the Metro High Schools’ competition:
Daniel Vissagie (U/14 400m), Jenny Wren (U/16 HJ), Louise Pretorius (U/17 200m & 400m), Susan Wells (U/19 200m & 400m) Dini Noyo (U/19 400m) and Ayanda Foley (U/19 100m & 200m).
The Metro High School’s competition was held at NMMU Athletics Track. This is the premier schools’ athletics event as athletes qualify to compete at the Eastern Cape High School’s competition. Victoria Park was well represented at this meeting.
Daniel Vissagie was the only grade eight athlete who qualified for this meeting. Throughout the competitions, Daniel showed the greatest potential and was placed in a fantastic fourth position in his race. We hope that Daniel will grow from strength to strength, following in the footsteps of some of our best athletes developed at VP.
Another athlete competing in this competition for the first time was Dini Noyo. Dini found the competition to be very tough as he was competing against very experienced, provincial athletes who were, competing at that stage, for the 5th consecutive year. Nevertheless, he gave his 400m race everything he had and finished in 5th position.
Louise Pretorius qualified to compete in this competition for the 3rd consecutive year, but was unfortunately unable to compete due to an injury.
Susan Wells, our best girl athlete for the past four years, qualified easily to compete in the Metro High Schools’ champs. Susan had a tougher season than most as she found it a little hard to reach the heights of previous years. This year, she learnt what it means to struggle for form for an entire season. Knowing and having coached Susan for the past five years, I know that this experience will make her stronger and more determined to achieve her life – long dream.
Ayanda Foley was another VP stalwart who competed at this meeting. Last year, Ayanda shattered the competition as he finished the season unbeaten in the 100m and 200m events. He therefore had a lot to live up to as he settled into the starting blocks for the start of the 100m. This year, however, was somewhat different as “Ace” struggled with a niggling hamstring injury for most of the final part of the season. This led to him withdrawing from competing in the 200m. He once again reached the Metro schools unbeaten in his zone and at PE High Schools, but the title of U/19 Metro champion proved to be a bridge too far for Ace as he finished in 3rd position.
The end of Susan’s 400m race drew a curtain on an amazing High School Athletics career of two of the best athletes I have ever coached in the past 10 years – Susan Wells and Ayanda Foley! The day was very emotional as we sat on the side of the track at NMMU, reflecting on what has been and on what could have been. Very little was said as tears rolled from the eyes as we realized that we have reached the “end of the road” for these two fantastic LEGENDS!
