There was a sense of heightened tension and optimism in the air which relayed into utter joy with a pinch of extravagance as the North West University’s purple powered athletics heroes took the 2019 Varsity Athletics title from the grasp of nearest challengers, Tuks tonight at the Kenneth McArthur athletics track (Friday, 15 March)

The NWU scripted the most glorious ending to the 2019 Varsity Athletics Championships possble as they were crowned as the new champions of the annual event with a brilliant win in front of their home crowd.

Photos: Wouter Pienaar

It came down to the men’s relay event and once again it was NWU team captain, Chederick van Wyk who showed his hunger for the big occasion as he took the NWU home on the last 100 metres of the Men 4x100m relay.

Only a few minutes earlier, the NWU could not field a lineup for the women’s 4x100m relay, after athletes Lente Pieterse and Joné Kruger had sustained injuries.

Tuks thought they had the advantage, but NWU fought tooth and nail to the end and never gave up – they would not be denied after three unsuccessful years. This time glory would go to the students from Potchefstroom.

Kruger (NWU) also did the double with another victrix ludorum performance, bettering her previous personal best in the long jump with a new personal best of 6.49m.

Other standout performancesamongst various others for the NWU came from Danel Holton in the women’s 400m and Mpho Links in the high jump. NWU’s Tshepang Makhethe also hit a new Varsity Athletics record in the hammer throw with a 71.26m launch. NWU javelin throwers Brendon Skinner and Johann Grobler were also on the mark with podium places on the night.

Tuks sprinter, Zeney van der Walt, and middle distance athlete, Theuns Ehlers were some of the standout Tuks athletes on the night.

Read more in this coming week’s Potchefstroom Herald (Thursday, 21 March) on the full results and reaction.

VIDEO: “Never Second” – NWU athletes celebrate massive Varsity Athletics victory

* Do not forget to keep your eyes peeled www.potchefstroomherald.co.za for some special behind the scenes videos of the NWU’s victory celebration as well as footage from the athletics action on the night!