Ben Vorster athlete breaks 12-year hurdles record
Lia Coetzee has broken a 12-year-old 400m hurdles record, clocking 1:13.75 to surpass the mark set by Alison Viljoen.
TZANEEN – Ben Vorster High School athlete Lia Coetzee has broken a 12-year-old 400m hurdles record previously held by Alison Viljoen, née Rudder.
The longstanding record of 01:15 was surpassed by Coetzee’s impressive time of 1:13.75.
“I’m overjoyed to have broken a record that stood for so long,” said Coetzee.
Viljoen, now a mom of two and a mathematics literacy teacher at Vossies, said she is proud of Coetzee’s achievement.
“I’m happy that Lia broke my record. She’s an excellent athlete. I set the record back in 2014 when I was in Gr 10, and it was my first time doing hurdles. Sports were important to me, but in Gr 12 I focused on my studies. I wish Lia all the best in her sporting journey,” she said.
During the recent interhouse athletics event, Coetzee also earned multiple accolades, being named senior Victrix Ludorum, best hurdler, and best jumping athlete, cementing her status as one of the school’s top performers.
