EP’s golden trio for Games
On Track, with Annelise Jerling
PORT Elizabeth’s golden trio Sherwin Vries (100m), Paul Gorries (400m) and Leigh Julius (200mm) have all been included in the National Track and Field team for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne next month.
The trio will also be in action in the 4 x 100m relay.
Former EP stars Nicolene Cronje, who is now based in Gauteng, and Lee-Roy Newton (Kwazulu Natal) will take part in the 20km walk and 4 x 100m relay respectively.
Magda Botha has been appointed one of the official coaches accompanying the team.
The local athletics fraternity wish them and the rest of the team the best for the Melbourne Championships. Hopefully in three weeks time we will be able to report on the city’s newest Commonwealth Champions.
The ASA selectors surely surprised by not including former world champions Morne Nagel and Jacques Freitag in the team.
Nagel is currently focusing on the World Indoor Championships which takes place a week before Melbourne, and Freitag is nursing a hip injury.
According to reports, Freitag is back in training again and one finds it strange that the selectors opted not to communicate with his trainer or agent on his condition and availability for the team.
Dinah-Rose and Lebo Phalula have become the first identical twins to represent the country in athletics.
LAWRENCE Ntantiso (Liberty Nike) won the men’s section at the Itec 10km on Saturday in a time of 30:15, sevens seconds clear of Xolile Ndingane (Temp). Khayaletu Makalima (Liberty Nike) was third in 31:07. Veteran athlete Treloar Childs (NMMU) claimed the ladies title in 38:53, with Davera Magson (Ach) second in 38:58.
GAUTENG’S Tebogo Mashela (ABSA/UJ) blitzed her way to a new SA record in the 3000m women’s steeple chase at the fourth ASA Challenge meeting held in Bellville over the weekend.
Mashela finished in a time of 10.01.14, with previous record holder and national champion Nolene Conrad, coming in second with a time of 10.25.94. Both women have been included in the team for Melbourne.
RUNNERS must note the venue change for the NPA 10km race this coming Saturday. The race will now start at 07h00 and will be run from the Despatch Rugby Club and not from PE harbour as previously printed. For queries please contact Andre Barnard on 0731660688 or Johan Allers on 0845904301.