Nineteen high schools and two athletics clubs from Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Limpopo descended on Hoërskool Rob Ferreira for the annual BUCO Triple J Prestige Athletics Meeting on Saturday, October 19.

The JJJ has established itself over the years as one of the premier high school athletics events in the Lowveld. This year it was again superbly organised and executed.

The head of athletics at Rob Ferreira, Stefan van der Merwe, appreciated the many schools that travelled far to compete.

“It is remarkable and praiseworthy that the coaches and organisers far away from the major cities practise athletics on such a remarkably healthy level. Saturday’s JJJ meet was no exception. Despite a bothersome easterly wind that made the going tough, the athletes produced amazing performances,” he said.

ALSO READ: Lowveld athletes triumph at Biathle/Triathle World Champs in Egypt

For so early in the 2024/25 athletics season, the standard of competition was excellent.

The tradition to invite athletes from White River Primary, some of whom will be proudly donning the colours of Rob Ferreira next year, continued. Some of these athletes won medals on the day.

The best ASA points achievement of the meeting was the 921 attained by Chenadé Bothma of Hoërskool Nelspruit for her record-breaking 12.11sec in the girls 100m. For this she was awarded the best junior sprinter trophy.

Other trophy winners were:
• Senior victor ludorum: Mtohokozisi Ndlovu (Rob)
• Junior victor ludorum: Ulrich Dreyer (HTS Middelburg)
• Senior victrix ludorum: Syboné Hanekom (Lydenburg)
• Junior victrix ludorum: Katelyn Kotze (Penryn)
• Best senior boys sprinter: Olwethu Motha (Kriel)
• Best senior girls sprinter: Zoë Cilliers (NHS)
• Best junior boys sprinter: Victor Bibokoane (Hoogenhout)
• Best senior boys hurdler: Sokwazi Sikosana (Hoogenhout)
• Best senior girls hurdler: Matsidiso Makgato (Hoogenhout)
• Best junior boys hurdler: Xian Meyer (Volksrust)
• Best junior girls hurdler: Alexa van Rooyen (NHS)
• Best senior boys long distance: Jay-Dee Combrink (HTS Witbank)
• Best senior girls long distance: Kayla Coetzee (HTS Middelburg)
• Best junior boys long distance: Thama Phaswana (Kriel)
• Best junior girls long distance: Saphira van Aswegen (Volksrust)
• Best senior boys throws: Tercius Bezuidenhot (HTS Middelburg)
• Best senior girls throws: Zané Nel (NHS)
• Best junior boys throws: Hano Grobler (Middelburg)
• Best junior girls throws: Mia du Preez (NHS)
• Best senior boys jumps: Katleho Mofokeng (Rob)
• Best senior girls jumps: Liané van Zyl (Lydenburg)
• Best junior boys jumps: Nsako Mabunda (Lowveld)
• Best junior girls jumps: Annieka Boshoff (Middelburg).
Top three schools:
1. NHS – 8 742 points
2. HTS Middelburg – 8 528
3. Rob – 8 496.