Lana Botha of Laerskool Nelspruit (u/12) broke a record that has been standing since 1994, with 15/100ths of a second, during the 37th Hi-Tech Interprimary this past weekend.

This was one of eight records that was either broken or equalled at the prestigious event, hosted by Laerskool Laeveld at Hoërskool Bergvlam on Saturday. Five of these records belonged to the school which earned them the majority of more than 240 medals that were handed out on the day, 80 of which were gold.
Ninke Mostert, also from Nelspruit, equalled a 25-year-old record of 4,55 metres in the u/12 long-jump item, and broke a 2006, 100-metre record by 14/100ths of a second.

Rojandi Coetzee of Lydenburg put up a speculator show when she broke the u/11 high-jump record, much to the excitement of the crowd.

Who knows how long Vaughn van Zyl’s new record of 11,55 metres, one that he shattered by more than a metre, will last?

These were just some of the prestigious performances by more than 700 athletes who partici-pated.
With not much hope that the rain would remain at bay following a good downpour the previous night, the principals of each participating school made a spectacular entrance by helicopter before the captains of each athletics team led their athletes onto the field.

Against all odds, all events but the relays, could be completed before a deluge forced the event to an end. But it did not put a damper on the enthusiasm of the athletes, who broke into a dance after the staff relays, which continued despite the rain. “It is the epitome of what the meeting is all about, to rekindle bonds,” said the Laeveld principal, Theo Krüger.

“I would like express my gratitude to Hi-Tech, the main sponsor, as well as the broader Lowveld community, for the part they played in making the day a massive success. It is with pride and gratitude that we thank our parents for their willingness in sales of tickets and refreshments and pupils for helping out in the VIP area. A word of special thanks to our SGB members of Laerskool Laeveld.

“Thank you for your support, loyalty and assistance during the event. I also would like to show my appreciation to JP Hugo, who started organising the athletics meeting as early as March 2018. You did us proud in organising an event of this calibre. We would like to thank Bergvlam for making their fields available,” concluded Krüger.

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