SOWLE Centre athletes dominate provincial champs

The SOWLE Centre athlete Matthew van Heerden raked in four gold medals during the provincial championships for the intellectually impaired at Pilditch Stadium on March 29 and 30.

Van Heerden clocked 15.54 seconds to win the U19 boys’ 100m sprint. He showed his versatility on the field after clearing 17.50m in the javelin and 16.62m in the discus. His fourth gold was a PB of 3.58m in the long jump.

Six of the centre’s learners achieved podium positions as they landed a combined 13 medals from the event.

Van Heerden’s teammate Matthew Hansrod grabbed a gold in the U19 boys’ 1 500m walk in a time of 13:00.26 and achieved a PB of 4.76m in the shotput.

Jessica Riley helped herself to two silvers and a gold. She cleared 8.16m in the discus before landing gold in the long jump with a leap of 1.54m. She added a second silver in the 800m walk with a time of 07:42.86.

Experienced campaigner Nondumiso Khumalo achieved three silvers in the open category on the field. She threw a PB of 7.59m in the javelin and added another milestone of 4.28m in the shotput. In the discus, she threw 11.61m for her third runner-up placing in the competition.

In their first outing at the provincials, Marinè Veltman and Phila Magubane pulled off impressive performances in their categories.

Veltman grabbed a silver in the 800m walk in a new PB of 08:16.48 and a bronze in the discus after clearing 9.55m, while Magubane won a silver medal in the U13 boys’ shotput in a new PB of 2.43m.

All six learners have qualified for the nationals to be held in the Eastern Cape in September.

Van Heerden, Hansrod, Riley and Khumalo will compete to defend their titles after winning nine medals at last year’s nationals in Polokwane.

“All staff, parents, management and fans of the school are elated with their results. We are excited to see how they will perform at the national competition,” said the school’s Jacqui Coetzer.

Appeal for funds

Coetzer appealed to the community to help them with funds to cover travel, accommodation, gear and food for the athletes at the national championships.

“We need help to get there. The school and parents need to foot the bill for everything – from travel, accommodation and food for the trip – and are desperately needing support.

“The SOWLE Centre is an NPO with PBO status and is already starting with fundraising initiatives to support our athletes,” she said.

For more info or to assist, contact Coetzer at admin@sowlecentre.co.za

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