SPU sparkles at uni games

impressive 51.55 second run.

George clocked a personal best in the 400 metre heats where he placed fourth coming in at 51.62 seconds. This was a considerable improvement on his last time at the same conference of 54.72 seconds.

SPUAC long jumper Thapelo Mahuma sustained an injury in the first round of his event. However, the athlete insisted on continuing in the championships and managed to leap a modest 5.75 metres.

The SPUAC 200 metre sprint hopeful, and team vice captain David Duiker, got a chance to dip in at below 23 seconds, but finished with a time of 23.09 seconds for fifth place. This ensured the runner the title of fastest short distance clocked by any member of the SPUAC sprint team.

In the 100 metre dash SPUAC athlete Kabelo Motlhaoleng clocked an impressive 11.47 seconds which put him a tad ahead of Duiker who stopped the clock at 11.50 seconds.

In the men’s field event SPUAC’s shot put specialist Jarred Clegg took the limelight in his first ever outing at a USSA event. Clegg placed eighth while teammate Hendro Stassen took ninth place. Stassen took another ninth place finish in the discus event with a 25.67 metre distance.

Stassen was again prominent in the javelin throw alongside teammates Sibusiso Dladla and Vuyani Nduna. Stassen took position 10, Dladla 11 and Nduna 12.

Among SPUAC’s women contingent Terri-Ann Crowe gave a commendable account of herself in her events. Crowe took the seventh spot in the shot put finals and was eighth in the hammer throw.

Senekal said their experiences at the USSA games were invaluable and that they will use the experience to build on their strength as well as grow the team numbers for future events.