Schonken shines again as BNAC youngsters impress at league meeting
This was her second podium in only her second race of the season.
Young Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) middle-distance athlete Quinn Schonken continued her impressive rise with another podium finish at the fifth CGA cross-country league meeting at Kwa-Thema Stadium on July 4.
While Chelsea van Dyk, Siyanda Madlabane and Nolwazi Magwaza maintained their winning form, Schonken’s performance further highlighted the depth of talent emerging from BNAC’s development programme.
Fresh from winning the U9 girls’ 2km on debut at the Daveyton league meeting last month, Schonken produced another determined display to finish second in a more demanding Kwa-Thema course. She clocked 09:08, crossing the line just five seconds behind Boxer AC’s Olwethu Mzazi.
Magwaza once again underlined her class in the mixed U9 and U10 2km, matching strides with Adriano Jooste, Raylan Olivier and Amukelani Tivane for much of the race. She finished fourth overall in 07:54, comfortably the first girl home, with Boksburg AC’s Engela Jansen van Vuuren 30 seconds behind.
Kayla Botha (12:08) placed seventh in the U13 girls’ 3km, while Alexia Visser claimed fourth in the U11 girls’ race in 12:49. Amy Whittington also produced an encouraging run in the U12 division.
Madison Johnstone finished fifth in the U8 girls’ 1km in 05:36, while Jade Doran took third in the youth women’s 2km in 06:52. Megan Deeble and Jordan-Lee Longstaff also delivered solid performances.
Also Read: Van Dyk and Madlabane clinch line honours in league meeting
Van Dyk continued her dominant season with another gun-to-tape victory in the U15 girls’ 4km, stopping the clock at 14:55. Thuli Mbatha added to BNAC’s success by winning the women 50-54 veterans’ 4km in 17:28.
Madlabane’s return to form gathered further momentum with a composed, tactical victory in the U15 boys’ 4km in 13:31. Bokamoso Nonyane won the U12 boys’ 3km in 10:41, while Samukelo Msibi celebrated his first victory of the season after storming to the U16 boys’ 6km title in 20:12.
Baxter Towers finished sixth in the U9 boys’ 2km, Anele Skwatsha was second in the senior men’s race, and Mpumelelo Mokoena placed seventh in the youth men’s event. Nathan Dickerson, Sipho Skwatsha and Sabelo Simelane also impressed, with Simelane claiming second in the senior men’s 8km in 28:58.
The sixth league meeting takes place in Westonaria on July 18.
Also Read: Van Dyk claims 13th national title with dominant double
