Three jumps away from gold

With the sectional and zonal athletics done, the Western Province high schools’ athletics season is nearing its business end.

Among the top contenders for a spot on the province’s squad is The Settlers High School’s Kaylin Gie, 17, from Ravensmead, who finished second in the girls’ under-19 triple jump, with a distance of 9.96m, at the Northern Zone Championships, at the Bellville Velodrome, at the weekend.

The former Parow East Primary School pupil was leading for most of the competition before Durbanville’s Rieke van Rooyen jumped 10.09m in a nail-biting final-round to snatch the gold medal away from Kaylin.

Kaylin, a Grade 12 pupil, will now look to better her performance and get one over Rieke at the upcoming Western Province High Schools Championships. As part of the Northern Zone team, she will do battle against the top athletes from the Southern, Table Bay and False Bay zones, at Vygieskraal Stadium.

Kaylin believes she could have performed better and walked away with the gold medal.

“The plan was to come first but I am proud of my performance. The competition was tough and nerve-racking, but my best was enough to see me on the podium.

“I can still improve on my speed so that my distance can become greater. My goal is to be the gold medalist at the WP champs, but anything can happen on the day, and I won’t take my opponents for granted,” she said.

However, what counts in Kaylin’s favour is that the Northern Zone has always dominated at the WP champs.

Earlier this month, her school finished in second place behind winners Durbanville, at the Co-Ed C athletics meet

Winning the girls’ under-19 triple jump event, finishing second in the girls’ 200m and 400m sprint events and third in the 100m sprint event, should stand her in good stead at the WP championships

“I will always remember the spirit of my school, being the girls’ team captain and, most importantly, the atmosphere was perfect.

“The Durbanville and Fairmont athletes have always given me great competition over the years, something that I will always appreciate,” she said.

Last year, Kaylin did not have the start she hoped for, coming third at the inter-schools and Northern Zone championships in the girls’ under-17 triple jump event.

She then came fourth at the Western Province championships and did not qualify for the Western Cape championships.

“This year my mind is only set on one thing and that is to make to the South African High Schools’ Championships,” she said.

In doing so, said Kaylin, she hoped to honour the memory of her late grandfather, Clive, who died last year.

“He always inspired me to do my best in the classroom and in track and field.

“I hope to make him proud by fulfilling my dreams, as I plan to study towards a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, at Stellenbosch University and to do well in athletics,” said Kaylin, who also looks up to her grandmother, Marie, a WP sprinter.

“I would like to follow her footsteps and be a role model to others like she is to me,” she said.