Baxter Towers will need to rediscover his spark after a subdued start to the CGA sub-youth track and field season at Germiston Stadium on September 24.

The Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) youngster endured a difficult Heritage Day, with fatigue potentially taking its toll after a long cross-country season. Towers also admitted that he was not fully focused on the day.

However, having experienced the intensity of his first league meeting, the young athlete is already looking ahead to League Two on October 3, where he hopes to put things right.

“I wasn’t focused enough for the 600m today. But it was the first league and even though I didn’t make the qualifying time, I got to see the competition. My coach and I have a plan. I will be back in League Two to bring it back,” he said.

Towers, who recently represented CGA at the national cross-country championships in Pretoria, clocked 02:09.51 for ninth place in his U9 boys’ 600m heat.
He also competed in the sprints, recording 09.49 in the 60m and 12.73 in the 80m.

His goal at the start of the year was to earn provincial colours in both cross-country and track and field. Having achieved the first part of that ambition, Towers is determined to put in the work required to complete the double.

Also Read: BNAC’s Mokoena wins CGA cross-country champs title

“We are at training four days a week – sometimes five. We have been focusing a lot on speed work. I’m still balancing my training between cross-country and track as my school is still running the private schools cross-country league.

“I am one of two athletes in my school to make the Gauteng championships for the first time in school history. I also want to finish strong. We have a plan and we will make it both happen,” said Towers.

Other results

Nolwazi Magwaza and Bokamoso Nonyane enjoyed bright starts to their seasons with podium finishes in their respective events.

Magwaza clocked 04:12.29 to finish second in the U11 girls’ 1 200m, while Nonyane also claimed second place in the U13 boys’ 1 500m, finishing behind Thabiso Jiyane of Mamepe Striders in 04:37.40.

Ntando Ngcobo clocked 02:17.52 in the U9 boys’ 600m, while Lexi Smit finished ninth in the U9 girls’ 600m in 02:21.25. Dominique Broughton clocked 17.80 in the 70m hurdles.

In the sprints, Gia-Anne Frerichs finished ninth overall in the U7 girls’ 60m in 10.83, while Alyssa Smith was third in her 80m heat in 13.16. Nkanyezi Masombuka clocked 13.42 to finish fifth in her heat.

Nkosana Tshabalala was second in his U9 boys’ 60m heat in 09.48.

The second CGA sub-youth tack and field league meeting will take place at Germiston Stadium on October 3.

Also Read: Towers and Schonken relish national cross-country debut