UFS-Kovsies sprinting sensation Bevin Smith has benefited from switching allegiances to the Bloemfontein institution after nearly giving up on the sport she loves.
Smith studied at Maties but caught a bad case of home sickness before heading back to Johannesburg and joining UJ’s athletic programme. However, her love for sprinting started to dwindle but, thankfully, Kovsies approached her and her fire burns stronger than ever.
“There was a stage in my career when I felt like giving up and quitting altogether but thankfully, I was approached by Kovsies and my passion returned.
“I have been training really hard with some excellent coaches here [in Bloemfontein] and I am really excited about getting back on the track at a very competitive Varsity Athletics event. It has been some time since I have run against the other varsity athletes and I can’t wait to test myself to see how much of an improvement I have made,” she told varsitysportssa.com.
The 23-year-old has benefited tremendously from previous Varsity Athletics as it helped provide her with the ideal platform to make the step-up to the international arena.
“Varsity Athletics has been great for all the athletes. We now have a great platform to build from to compete internationally. It is a real pity that it has been shortened to just two events because the exposure is brilliant and it allows us [the athletes] to prepare for other meetings.
“It is such a well-organised event and run really professionally. Even the pressure of the event is quite similar to the pressure you feel when competing at international meetings,” she added.
The second year BA Sport Psychology student – who has previously competed at the World Championships and the 2014 All Africa Universities Games in Kenya – believes Kovsies has what it takes to be a real threat this year but would not divulge what surprises they have in store.
“Everyone here [at Kovsies] is looking forward to the event and we may just have a surprise in store for the other universities but you will have to wait and see about that.
“Personally, I would like to run as close to 23 seconds as possible but I’m not setting myself high targets as it will be my first big competition of the year. I just want to break the ice and get into my rhythm as early as possible,” she stated.
Smith is looking forward to renewing the friendships she has built up over the years and the overall vibe of the competition.
