The University of Western Cape (also known as U-Dubs by athletes and students) could just surprise the Johannesburg spectators and keen athletics followers at this Friday’s Varsity Athletics meet when a very strong and multitalented team arrives in Johannesburg.
The team possesses the African Junior Women’s 100m champion, Tamzin Thomas, South African student cross country representative Merlin Klaaste, national high jump star Geraldine King, 400m national bronze medallist Rodwill Ndlovu, 400m star Petunia Obisi, versatile middle/long distance national athlete Anthony Timoteus and the very fast 800m composed runner Duran Faro. These stars are in good shape which, if altitude doesn’t bother, could battle it out for the highest honours in their respective races.
Tamzin Thomas will use this opportunity to qualify for World Junior Championships and she is undoubtedly a favourite to win the women’s 100m, whereas Amy Abrahams and Lauren Johnson will tackle the altitude in the women’s 1500m and 3000m races respectively. Samantha Ross could jump into medal contention if she can better her 5.7m personal best and Geraldine King, on the other hand, could qualify for World Junior Championships if she can get over 1.8 meters in the high jump. Whilst these women’s events are happening, throwing her way into medal prospects will be the ever-so-friendly Chandre Hendricks.
Leading the men’s team and possibly winning the men’s 5000m race could be Merlin Klaaste, who has made a comeback from a major injury that left him sidelined for almost two years. The star to watch in the men’s 400m is Rodwill Ndlovu who will surely be out to prove that he deserves to be looked at for Olympic selection.
On the other end of the field, however, will be 2.10m high jumper Clyde Ruiters and 72m javelin thrower Stephen Clue who, if they are in good shape, will definitely walk away with medals on Friday. Anthony Timoteus and Duran Faro will be looking to secure great times of a sub 3min50sec 1500m and a sub 1min50sec 800m respectively. And lastly, a man to watch with an owls-eye is Physiotherapy student Andre September who might just cause an upset in the 110m men’s hurdles.
‘Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard’ is the famous saying that probably encourages all athletes to wake up, train hard and be the best they could possibly be. The UWC team has been working hard and their talents will be showcased on live television on 18 March when they take part in the first Varsity Athletics meeting.
UWC team:
Men:
Merlin Klaaste (5000m), Anthony Timoteus (1500m), Rodwill Ndlovu (400m), Duran Faro (800m), Kurt Cameron (100m), Juan Jones (1500m), Clyde Ruiters (High Jump), Andre September (110mH), Yusuf Ismail (100m/200m), John Josephs (Triple Jump), Stephen Clue (Javelin Throw), Jessie Fillies (400mH)
Women:
Geraldine King (High Jump), Tamzin Thomas (100m), Amy Abrahams (1500m), Amelia Adonis (200m), Nicole Dirk (Triple Jump), Lauren Johnson (3000m), Petunia Obisi (200m/400m), Colleen May (100m), Samantha Ross (Long Jump), Chandre Fredericks (Hammer Throw)
By Reginald Hufkie
