Duo ready for nationals

Benoni Northerns Junior Athletics runners Chelsea van Dyk and Kayla Botha are ready to compete at the ASA national cross-country championships in Rustenburg on September 17.

The duo is part of the team to represent Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) at the event.

Following a successful CGA cross-country season where they dominated their categories, Chelsea and Kayla are looking to cap it off with a medal at the national event.

In a season to be proud of, Chelsea was dominant in the girls’ 3km category. The 11-year old Rynfield Primary School learner obtained three podium positions in three CGA league meetings, sealing it with a gold medal at the provincial championships on August 20 in Kagiso.

“Competition this season was difficult but I handled it. I will try my best at the nationals,” she said.

Kayla (9) participated in the girls’ 2km category in six league meetings. The Laerskool Rynfield learner finished in the top three four times and claimed a third place finish at the provincials.

Coach Michael van Aswegen said they hope the duo will make the province proud.

“Kayla and Chelsea are ranked top of their age group by CGA. We expect them to go to the nationals and make the province proud. As long as they can walk away from the race having given it their all, we’ll be happy with and proud of whatever result we get from them,” he said.

Also Read: Northerns athletes off to nationals

Van Aswegen they have encouraged the athletes to enjoy themselves rather than focusing on the results.

“At their age group, the focus is always on development. Medals are a by-product of what they put in. We try to alleviate as much pressure on them by encouraging them to enjoy the fun aspect of their career.

“Obviously the expectation and goal is to go and achieve something. I leave the athletes to set their own goals. We hope through the younger age groups, we can encourage them to fall in love with the sport and grow into successful athletes once they reach high school and senior ranks.”

He said their success was as a result of their programme which first focuses on developing the athletes in the first three years and then performance thereafter.

“It’s giving the children the freedom to express themselves. At such a young age, it needs about the love for the sport. The child must want to do it on their own.

“As soon as there’s too much parental involvement or parents pushing too hard, by the time they get to age 13 or 14, they lose interest in the sport.”

Also Read: Benoni athletes to give it their all at the provincial championships