The Northwest University’s Pukke will be hoping to secure top honours at this year’s Varsity Athletics meet after last year’s shared first place with Tuks. The university has a well-structured team that could possibly end up in podium positions at each of the events at the competition in Johannesburg.
Caster Semenya, who needs no introduction, is in the best shape of her career and she will undeniably represent her university with pride when she looks to run another fast 400m time that will anchor her position in the Olympic squad. She will look to go faster than her 51.47sec one lap personal best whilst the former South African junior high jump champion Julia du Plessis looks to better her 1.85m personal best to win the women’s high jump.
Household name and former national 800m champion, Gena Lofstrand, will be hoping for a sub 2min05sec 800m run to showcase her talent. Cynthia Tsetsewa has always been a tough competitor to beat and it won’t be any different at Friday’s explosive event. Joining and anchoring the Pukke women’s team is South African Javelin throw star and favourite to win the women’s Javelin, Megan Wilke and 400m stronghold Anel van Wyk.
The men’s team will start the Varsity Athletics meet in the same manner Pieter Conradie starts his 800m and 400m races: fast, faster and well, fastest. Pieter Conradie, who has shown great 800m form early in the season, will be amongst the favourites to win the men’s 400m race in a possible sub 46 second run. Conradie thus hands the baton to the in-shape, versatile and fast 100m sprinter and long jumper Koketso Mogapi, who is looking to get over the 8m mark at this meet. He recently bettered his personal best jump, but with the Varsity atmosphere and the crowd behind him at UJ, the star might just jump an Olympic qualifying distance.
Almost certain to throw their way into podium positions are favourites in the men’s hammer throw event Tshepang Makhete and javelin, Stefan Beukes. Makhete is the athlete to watch out for in the hammer throw scene. He has won various national titles whilst Stefan Beukes is a strong man has completed throws of over 70m. Rantso Mokopane, who graduated recently, will be looking to celebrate this milestone in his life with a win in the men’s 1500m. And the ever so exciting triple jumper Sabelo Ndlovu will take advantage of the ‘gees’ when he looks to get over 16 meters and win the men’s triple jump event.
A great team with great possibilities. On your marks, get set, go!
Pukke team:
Men:
Pieter Conradie (400m), Koketso Mogapi (Long Jump), Rantso Mokopane (1500m), Schalk Burger (400mH), Tshepang Makhete (Hammer-Throw), Stefan Beukes (Javelin Throw), Sabelo Ndlovu (Triple Jump), Lloyd Qoba (400mH), Chederick van Wyk (100m), Stefan Bruwer (400m), Lesedi Mokgobinyani (400m), Theodor Young (110mH).
Women:
Caster Semenya (400m), Cynthia Tsetsewa (400mH), Gena Lofstrand (800m), Ariane Nel (200m), Julia du Plessis (High Jump), Melissa Swanepoel (100m), Megan Wilke (Javelin Throw), Mercia Venter (100mH), Anel van Wyk (400m), Danel Holton (400m).
By Reginald Hufkie
