Jacobs on a high after good showing at champs
She finished joint ninth in the U13 girls' high jump after clearing 1.48m.
Competing at the ASA sub-youth track and field championships in Bloemfontein on December 7 was a proud moment for Alberton high jumper Eldoryn Jacobs.
Jacobs was part of the team of athletes that helped CGA to another dominant showing. CGA collected a total of 56 medals, 26 gold, 15 silver and bronze.
Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) were in second place with 37 medals (nine gold, 15 silver and 13 bronze) and hosts, Athletics Free State (AFS) in third with 19 medals (nine gold, four silver and six bronze).
In the lead-up to the nationals, Jacobs was in sublime form during the provincial league phase of the season. She cleared 1.40m on a cold and wet day at Germiston Stadium in September, before a season’s best 1.50m for first place in the second league meeting.
At the CGA champs three weeks ago, the Laerskool Randhardt Grade Six learner cleared 1.45m, securing herself a bronze medal. But on a scorching hot day at Mangaung Stadium, the competition was tough as the 12-year-old’s 1.48m was enough for joint ninth in the U13 girls’ high jump.
“I wanted to be myself. I knew I could do it. I got this far and I’m very proud of myself for being here. I’m grateful to my coach and my mom, who is my biggest supporter, for helping me make it this far,” Jacobs said after the competition.
Franzelle Barnard of AFS cleared 1.60m for the gold. Erin Parry of Eastern Province Athletics (EPA) and Athletics Central North West’s (ACNW) Declynne da Silva shared the silver after both clearing 1.57m.
Reflecting on the competition, Jacobs said the positives outweighed the negatives and would focus on improving as a competitor as she looks to represent the country at the Olympics in the future.
“It was hot and I was competing with people a year older than I am. The only thing I did was focus on myself and not what the other girls did. I would like to compete at the Olympics. It’s going to be hard to achieve that. I need to work hard and focus,” she said.
Her biggest lesson from the national champs was, “If you jump a jump-off, don’t cry about it. Walk off and smile. Be the best version of yourself and don’t look at your competition for motivation. Look for it from within.”
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