Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Pupkewitz Athletics Team returned home from the recent North West University Top 30 meeting held in South Africa with 12 medals.
Seven of the medals were gold, three were silver and two bronze. The gold and silver medals were all attained for field events over the two-day competition.
Adara Gey van Pittius, Alexandra Scheepers, and Arizhia van der Walt shared first place in the high jump girls age 14 category, while Chrislene Klein topped the same discipline for the age 19 group.
Hitjivirue Hoveka recorded the best leap in the long jump girls age 19 section, and the age 15 category winner was Lauren van Niekerk, while the shot put girls age 14 honours went to Marika Weitz.
The silver medal winners were Benjamin Hendrickse (high jump boys age 15), Marika Weitz (discus girls age 14) and Mari Gey van Pittius (shot put girls age 15), who also won a discus bronze for her age bracket and the best junior field athlete prize.
Last but not least, Chrislene Klein rounded off the podium places in the 100m hurdles girls age 19 category.
The athletes were accompanied by team managers Hennie Horn (boys) and Jacqui Snyders (girls), and coaches Clifford Cloete and Mina du Plessis.
“This was a great experience and the athletes were well taken care of. They enjoyed the trip and gained lots of experience. We saw lots of new personal bests,” Horn says.
“The competition started with 2 700 athletes. A total of 70 schools participated, and for many of our athletes it was unbelievable to see that many athletes.
“We want to thank all who contributed to make this a reality. Our main sponsor, Pupkewitz Foundation, supports athletics in Namibia and also now has four local Pupkewitz Open Athletics Championships at Swakopmund annually.”
The 22 athletes also got to meet well-known South African javelin coach Tertius Liebenberg, who manages the NWU High Performance Institute.
“Coach Liebenberg showed the team around and gave a motivational speech. South African javelin Athlete, Jo-Anè van Dyk and our own discus [national] record holder, Ryan Williams, also showed the team around and explained what it takes to get to the top,” Horn says.
The tour was initiated by the Athletics Development Club in conjunction with the Pupkewitz Foundation, with auxiliary support from Arebbusch Travel Lodge and Pharma Dynamics Namibia.
Adara Gey van Pittius, Alexandra Scheepers, and Arizhia van der Walt shared first place in the high jump girls age 14 category, while Chrislene Klein topped the same discipline for the age 19 group.
Hitjivirue Hoveka recorded the best leap in the long jump girls age 19 section, and the age 15 category winner was Lauren van Niekerk, while the shot put girls age 14 honours went to Marika Weitz.
The silver medal winners were Benjamin Hendrickse (high jump boys age 15), Marika Weitz (discus girls age 14) and Mari Gey van Pittius (shot put girls age 15), who also won a discus bronze for her age bracket and the best junior field athlete prize.
Last but not least, Chrislene Klein rounded off the podium places in the 100m hurdles girls age 19 category.
The athletes were accompanied by team managers Hennie Horn (boys) and Jacqui Snyders (girls), and coaches Clifford Cloete and Mina du Plessis.
“This was a great experience and the athletes were well taken care of. They enjoyed the trip and gained lots of experience. We saw lots of new personal bests,” Horn says.
“The competition started with 2 700 athletes. A total of 70 schools participated, and for many of our athletes it was unbelievable to see that many athletes.
“We want to thank all who contributed to make this a reality. Our main sponsor, Pupkewitz Foundation, supports athletics in Namibia and also now has four local Pupkewitz Open Athletics Championships at Swakopmund annually.”
The 22 athletes also got to meet well-known South African javelin coach Tertius Liebenberg, who manages the NWU High Performance Institute.
“Coach Liebenberg showed the team around and gave a motivational speech. South African javelin Athlete, Jo-Anè van Dyk and our own discus [national] record holder, Ryan Williams, also showed the team around and explained what it takes to get to the top,” Horn says.
The tour was initiated by the Athletics Development Club in conjunction with the Pupkewitz Foundation, with auxiliary support from Arebbusch Travel Lodge and Pharma Dynamics Namibia.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
