Botha on course for national champs
She has a personal best of 11.82 seconds in the 100m and 23.76 in the 200m.
On the same track where Jessica Botha lost out on an opportunity to represent CGA at the ASA age-group track and field championships two years ago, the Brakpan AC athlete began her season not as a returning student but as a contender ready for her moment to shine.
The 17-year old is using that heartbreak as a vehicle to take her to this year’s nationals to be staged on the same Germiston Stadium track that was a source of her 2024 frustrations.
“It would mean everything to represent CGA at the championships. I was here in 2024, but I didn’t receive my provincial colours. I didn’t qualify. I’ve been working really hard. So, it would mean a lot,” she said.
Though she made headlines at the UJ Summer Challenge in December when she won the U18 women’s 60m and 150m sprints, the sprinter’s intentions for the season became clear when she stepped on the starting blocks at the Hoërskool Menlo Park Invitational on January 30.
She stormed to a record-breaking 24.15 seconds victory in the U18 women’s 200m, taking the milestone from teammate Lana Ungerer, who earlier had smashed the record that had stood for 53 years.
The following day, Botha opened the provincial season with a time of 12.14 seconds for second place overall in the 100m and a victorious 24.32 in the 200m, before smashing the Noordheuwel Top 15 U19 women’s 200m record when she clocked 23.76 seconds on February 4.
The Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen athlete carried her form into the second CGA open track and field league meeting on February 7, clocking 11.82 in the U20 women’s 100m. She chopped 0.16 seconds off her PB of 11.98, clocked at the NWU Top 30 last September.
“I want to go to the ASA champs and win golds in both the 100m and 200m. I didn’t run last year because we were in America. I worked hard the whole year. Because of all that hard work, I believe I can win the SA champs,” said Botha.
Botha never took the sport seriously when she started running, but it all changed when she realised her potential.
“I wasn’t really passionate. I did it for fun. But one day, it just changed, and I felt I could go further.”
In the long-term, the athlete is chasing more than personal success; she’s chasing the one race her late father always dreamed of.
“It’s the Olympics. My dad wanted to run in the Olympics. He passed away. I want to do it for him.”
Also Read: Bekker ends near-perfect year with CGA Awards nod
Also Read: BAC youngsters shine at CGA champs
