The University of Free State in Bloemfontein had reason to celebrate this weekend when student-athlete Wayde van Niekerk became the first athlete in the history of the sport to run a sub 10second 100m, sub 20second 200m and sub 44second 400m.
This history-making feat is reason enough to emphasise the fact that the University of Free State’s (better known as Kovsies) athletics team is ready to up the standard at this Friday’s Varsity Athletics meet in Johannesburg.
Despite the fact that Van Niekerk will not be lining up in an individual race, taking the fore-front in the team will be teammate and 800m world student championships bronze medallist Rynardt van Rensburg. Van Rensburg who boasts with an impressive 1:45 800m has already qualified for the Olympics Games, but he surely wants to do it again, and what better way to do it than at the explosive and exciting Varsity Athletics meet on Friday?
Complimenting Van Rensburg in the men’s team will be 400m newbie Craig van Niekerk, Kovsies stalwart Petr Havenga, who is a favourite to wins the men’s 400m race, youngsters Ruan Willemse and Riekert Redelinghuys, who will be strutting their talents in the 100m and high jump events respectively. Long jumper Jovan van Vuuren, on the other hand, will be a contender of note in the men’s long jump event if he can better his personal best of 7.70m, whilst Juan Muller will be looking forward to defend his hammer throw title.
The Kovsies women’s team will be led by star athlete Ansulet Potgieter, who needs no introduction on the South African hurdles scene. Potgieter’s personal best of 13.50 seconds for the women’s 100m hurdles race is very quick and if she’s in that shape, we might just see her qualify for Rio. This star has been leading by example, which surely encouraged other athletes such as Kovsies shot put sensation, Cecile Meyer, to perfect her craft. Meyer is one of the favourites to win this Friday’s shot-put event, whilst Marne Mentz will go for as many points as possible in the women’s 800m race.
Also representing the women’s team will be Kesa Molotsane, Carina Meyer, Eugenie van Emenis and Elme Smith.
The times and distances of both the Kovsies men’s and women’s teams are very competitive which makes this team a force to be reckoned with. The anticipation amongst the athletes is building. Lets hope that they can transfer that onto the track.
Kovsies team:
Men: Hendrik Maartens (200m/100m), Ruan Willemse (100m), Petr Havenga (400m), Craig van Niekerk (400m), Rynardt vanRensburg (800m), Bennie Prinsloo (800m), Masego Sesele (400mH), Riekert Redelinghuys (High jump), Jovan van Vuren (Long Jump), Sefako Mokhosoa (Triple Jump), Juan Muller (Hammer Throw)
Women: Lizzy Kriel (100m/100mH), Denielle Strauss (200m), Eugenie van Emmenis (400m), Marne Mentz (800m), Kesa Molotsane (1500m), Ansulet Potgieter (100mH), Beauty Rakamakwe (400mH), Moleboheng Pherane (Long Jump/ Triple Jump), Carina Meyer (Triple Jump), Cecile Meyer (Shot Put), Elme Smith (100m)
By Reginald Hufkie
