SPORT
Cross Country Teacher-in-charge: Ms Helen Kleynhans Coach: Mr André Williams Captain: Kristi Lanser Vice-Captain: Amina Vallie
Every Wednesday in Terms 2 and 3 a small but enthusiastic team of cross country runners participated in races all over the Peninsula from Fish Hoek to Milnerton, and from Tamboerskloof to Princess Vlei. The races were a great chance to meet runners from many different schools, to get to know girls from different grades and age groups and to experience parts of Cape Town that the team members might not have visited before. Usually cross country races continue whatever the weather, but the very wet winter conditions this year led to the cancellation of three races due to dangerous slippery conditions. Other races took place on sunny afternoons although both relay events, at Pinelands and at Fish Hoek, were muddy, windy and cold. However, whatever the conditions at a race, the runners returned smiling and cheerful having enjoyed their run. Runners who did well in the Southern Zone Races were Eden Paarwater and Bianca Rijkmans (U14), Kathleen Holcroft (U15) and Kristi Lanser (U19). Ashleigh Simonis (U15) had a particularly good season and was selected for the Western Province team for the National Cross Country Championships in Potchefstroom in September. It has been many years since a Rustenburg Cross Country runner has been chosen to run at a National event so we were very proud of Ashleigh’s achievement. The annual PGSGU interschool’s race took place at St Cyprians on 6 September in glorious sunny conditions. A notable result was Ashleigh Simonis, who finished second in the U15 section. Rustenburg placed fourth overall.
Cross Country
Third row, from left: Eden Paarwater, Sarah Donde, Jaime Gray, Krisitin Bellingan, Ashleigh Simonis Second row, from left: Rebecca Norris, Alexa Hall, Shannon Sissons, Jade Smith, Alexandra Wittenberg-Scott, Layla Mohamed Seated, from left: Kathleen Holcroft, Amina Vallie (Vice-Captain), Mr André Williams, Kristi Lanser (Captain), Ms Helen Kleynhans, Julie Chandler, Bianca Rijkmans
Running Club Teacher-in-charge: Ms Helen Kleynhans, Ms Linda Mallon, Ms Stella Rossouw Captain: Rebecca Norris Vice-Captain: Aqeelah Benjamin
The members of the Running Club started the year with a timed run twice around the school grounds. This was repeated at the end of Term 1 and most runners were happy to see how much faster they were after a term’s training. Running Club membership increased in 2013 and approximately 150 girls from all grades ran regularly, either once or twice a week. A small group of quicker runners enjoyed the hills of the UCT route and the rest explored new routes in the vicinity of the school and further afield. We ran along the Liesbeek canal towards Newlands, along the Liesbeek Parkway path towards Mowbray, around the Rondebosch Common and along the streets near Keurboom Park. The runners were split into several groups according to their speed and the distance to be run so that everyone could be accommodated. Running after school was a very enjoyable way to relax after a busy day, make new friends and become fit.
RGHS MAGAZINE 2013
86
