Barberton High School’s athletes give it a fair go at the interhouse athletics

BARBERTON – Hoërskool Barberton’s (BHS) crop of female athletes produced a mixed bag of results during its interhouse athletics meet on Tuesday. The girls tried their hand at a number of disciplines such as the hurdles, 100-metre sprints, 1500-metre long-distance event, discus, shot put, javelin and the high and long jump events.

The new Daisies, who are starting out on the secondary phase of their schooling careers, did not disappoint and showed up for a number of events. The excitement on the field was all in preparation for the interschool athletics, which will see the top athletes from Lowveld schools giving it their all on the track and field.

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The teachers and sport staff at the school were all hands on deck as they collated the results in the different events to determine which athletes would compete in a specific event at the looming interschool athletics championships.

As was expected, the 100-metre events drew the spectators, who cheered on their favourite sprinters. The hurdles over 90 and 100 metres were also challenged competitively as the runners made their way down the track. Adri Ferreira shone in the u/14 90-metre hurdles, leaping over each one to claim the top spot.

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In the u/17 discus event, Anri van Zyl’s technique and poise secured a victory over the other competitors. Jamie-Ann Panter’s javelin-throwing technique was unrivaled, and she clinched the top spot in this field event.

Ntokozo Mahlangu sprinted away from the pack in the u/15 90-metre track event, leaving a respectable gap between her and the second place finisher. Unathi Ngcane and Sakitsi Myhunywa ran a tight 100-metre hurdles in the u/17 division, finishing first and second, respectively.

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There were a few surprises in store over the longer distances which tested the athletes’ endurance, especially with the searing Lowveld heat.

Johan Theron, sports director of BHS, said, “This day gives us the opportunity to identify areas of development, so the coaching staff can fine-tune the athletes’ techniques in the different sporting codes.

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“There is a lot of preparation ahead of this year’s interhigh and this event allows us to gauge how we measure up and what training methods to implement.”

Once the results were tallied, Sipho Msibi was announced as the boys’ junior victor ludorum with Vukani Ngwenya taking the senior title. Karabo Ndwandwe and Thandiwe Manyisa claimed the junior and senior victrix ludorum titles respectively.