On 21 January ‘25, athletes and supporters once again gathered in large numbers at the Bulkraal to conclude this year’s interhouse athletics event after welcome rain disrupted the original date.

The participants, especially the skivvies, looked stunning in their house shirts and competed enthusiastically in all events.

A total of 16 athletes shattered 23 existing records. Notably, Sven Hedin (4), Leandré de Lange (2), Luné Joubert (2), Kea Kganyago (2), and Sophia van Wyk (2) each broke more than one record!

House Ignis (grade 9) emerged victorious with 833 points, followed by House Aqua (grade 8) with 776 points. House Terra (grade 10) secured third place with 766 points, House Lux (grade 12) came fourth with 763 points, and House Ventus (grade 11) finished last with 681 points.

The top athletes of the day were Zané Vosloo, Junior Victrix Ludorum, and Sophia van Wyk, Senior Victrix Ludorum. Rithlavile Mlangeni claimed the title of Junior Victor Ludorum, and Sven Hedin was crowned Senior Victor Ludorum.

The Plasie athletes are already on their way to participate in the TUT Top 14 competition at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria. We are also eagerly looking forward to the local Frikkie Deysel event, which will take place on Friday, 7 February.

PHOTOS: Imcke van Vuuren and Nadia Last

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On 29 January 2025, Merensky's top athletes participated in the Wildeklawer TUT Curro Top 14 at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria. Competing against 39 schools in the B division, the Plasie athletes delivered strong performances, achieving an average ASA score of 754 and securing 10th place.

Outstanding performances:

• Arno Haasbroek set a new record in the men's u19 high jump with a height of 2m (810 points).

• Sophia van Wyk placed 3rd in the women's u19 400m hurdles with a time of 1:08.79 (802 points).

• Sven Hedin placed 4th in the boys' u16 110m hurdles, clocking 14.40 seconds (865 points).

More results:

• Sven Hedin (6th, boys' u16 100m, 11.15 sec, 798 points)

• Sophia van Wyk (6th, women's u19 400m, 1:01.67, 772 points)

• Kylie van Eeden (11th, girls' u14 90m hurdles, 15.75 sec, 771 points)

• Khutso Mahasha (8th, men's u19 high jump, 1.75m, 560 points)

• Ester Udeji (6th, girls' u14 shot put, 9.85m, 763 points)

Congratulations to our athletes on these excellent achievements!

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The Frikkie Deysel Athletics Meeting was held on Friday, 7 February 2025, at Merensky Agricultural Academy and proved to be a day full of excitement, impressive performances, and record-breaking achievements. Eight teams from seven schools competed, including Hoërskole Piet Potgieter, Louis Trichardt, Pietersburg, Frans du Toit, as well as Stanford Lake College, Tom Naudé THS and of course Merensky Agricultural Academy.

Five new records were set:

• Sophia van Wyk (Merensky): Girls 19 – 400m Hurdles – 1:07.69

• Jané Buitendach (Merensky): Girls 17 – 3000m – 10:39.94

• Sven Hedin (Merensky): Boys 16 – 400m Hurdles – 55.35

• Leandré de Lange (Merensky): Girls 16 – 100m Hurdles – 15.68

• Chrizette Odendaal (Louis Trichardt): Girls 16 – 200m – 26.82

Athletes delivered strong performances, earning top awards:

• Junior Victrix Ludorum: Kholofelo Khanyago (Hoërskool Piet Potgieter)

• Senior Victrix Ludorum: Chrizette Odendaal (Hoërskool Louis Trichardt)

• Junior Victor Ludorum: Tshepo Malatji (Hoërskool Frans du Toit)

• Senior Victor Ludorum: Sven Hedin (Merensky Agricultural Academy)

The Merensky Blue team emerged as the overall winners of the day.

As always, the mascots from the participating schools provided great entertainment during their 100m race, which had the crowd laughing and cheering throughout this light-hearted highlight of the event.

A special thank you goes to PNA and NTT Isuzu, Tzaneen, for their generous sponsorship and support on the day.

PHOTOS:
Anneke le Roux
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Imcke van Vuuren
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Ankia Botha
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DeWalt le Roux
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Polokwane – On 21 February 2025, the annual Athletics Inter-High took place at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. This year, the event was hosted by Northern Academy and brought together some of the province’s top schools to compete against each other on the athletics track.

Participating schools included: Northern Academy Secondary, Hoërskool Pietersburg, HTS Tom Naudé, Hoërskool Frans du Toit, Hoërskool Louis Trichardt, Merensky Agricultural Academy, Hoërskool Eric Louw, and Curro Heuwelkruin.

One of the highlights of the day was the performance of the Plasie singing group and cheerleaders, who captivated the crowd with their enthusiasm and energy. The singing group finished in third place overall, with Christo de Beer, known as "Roes," being awarded the best male cheerleader.

Merensky Agricultural Academy delivered an impressive performance by breaking nine records:

• Sven Hedin (Boys 16): 100m (10.72 seconds), 110m Hurdles (13.54 seconds) and 400m Hurdles (56.50 seconds).

• Leandré de Lange (Girls 16): 100m Hurdles (15.18 seconds) and Long Jump (5.23m).

• Sophia van Wyk (Girls 19): 400m Hurdles (1:06.78).

• Tharollo Moagie (Girls 15): Triple Jump (10.42m).

• JP Botha (Boys 17): Javelin (60.37m).

• Merensky Relay Team (Boys 16): 4x100m Relay (45.17 seconds).

The Plasie athletes received 30 gold, 33 silver and 36 bronze medals.

Final Standings:

1. Hoërskool Pietersburg - 1143

2. Merensky Agricultural Academy - 997

3. Louis Trichardt High School - 890.5

4. Tom Naudé THS - 757.5

5. Frans du Toit High School - 425.5

6. Northern Academy - 349.5

7. Curro Heuwelkruin - 325.5

8. Eric Louw High School - 157.5

PHOTO'S

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Pilditch Stadium, Pretoria - 27 February 2025

The athletes from Merensky Agricultural Academy left their mark at the Wildeklawer NWU Group 3 & 4 Athletics Meeting, which took place on 27 February 2025 at the Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria. As part of Group 4, Merensky competed against strong schools in the country and achieved excellent achievements.

The following schools participated in Group 4: Bergsig Academy, Hoërskool Dinamika, Hoërskool Driehoek, Hoërskool Linden, Merensky Agricultural Academy, Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom, Rob Ferreira High School and Vorentoe High School.

Against these strong opponents, Merensky's athletes stood out with phenomenal performances.

Merensky won an impressive number of gold medals. The following athletes stood on the highest spot of the podium:

• Item 5 - Alizay le Roux (Girls 14) – LongJump

• Item 17 - Sven Hedin (Boys 16) - 400m Hurdles

• Item 19 - Sophia van Wyk (Girls 19) - 400m Hurdles

• Item 47 - Leandré de Lange (Girls 16) - HighJump

• Item 49 - Kea Kganyago (Girls 17) - LongJump

• Item 58 - Sven Hedin (Boys 16) - 100m

• Item 59 - Layah Peterson (Girls 17) - 100m

• Item 63 - Leila van Wyngaardt (Girls 14) - 90m Hurdles

• Item 65 - Leandré de Lange (Girls 16) - 100m Hurdles

• Item 71 - Arno Haasbroek (Boys 19) - HighJump

• Item 72 - Kea Kganyago (Girls 17) - TripleJump

• Item 78 - Sven Hedin (Boys 16) - 110m Hurdles

• Item 87 - Layah Peterson (Girls 17) - 200m

• Item 94 - Karabo Mahasha (Boys 15) - LongJump

• Item 111 - Leandré de Lange (Girls 16) - LongJump

• Item 115 - Ndzalama Maluleke (Boys 15) - HighJump

• Item 127 - Sophia van Wyk (Girls 19) - 400m

In addition to this, Merensky also won 27 silver and 20 bronze medals.

With these exceptional achievements, Merensky's girls took first place, and the Plasies achieved a general second place in Group 4.

Merensky is proud of every athlete who participated and looks forward to many more such successes in the future!

PHOTOS

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The athletes from Merensky Agricultural Academy put on an impressive performance on Saturday, 8 March 2025, at the LIMSA Championships held at the University of Limpopo in Polokwane.

Sven Hedin was one of the day's standouts, not only finishing second in the 110m Hurdles, but also setting a new record in this category. He also finished second in the 400m Hurdles and broke another record – an incredible achievement!

Leandré de Lange showed why she is one of Merensky’s top female athletes. She won gold in both the HighJump and LongJump, and also took third place in the 100m Hurdles.

Kea Kganyago also made a great contribution by finishing first in the TripleJump, and second in the LongJump.

Anita Beukes established herself as one of the top high jumpers by winning a silver medal.

In the throws, JP Botha showcased his strength and technique and won his Javelin.

The Merensky athletes carried our school’s name with pride and proved that they are ready to compete on any stage. Congratulations to all our athletes on their achievements!

Merensky Agricultural Academy athletes participated in the LIMA Schools Championships held at the University of Limpopo in Polokwane on 15 March 2025. The Plasie athletes achieved impressive achievements.

Several athletes achieved podium places:

Sven Hedin – 1st 110m Hurdles | 2nd 400m Hurdles
Leandré de Lange – 1st 90m Hurdles | 1st LongJump | 2nd HighJump
JP Botha – 1st Javelin
Arno Haasbroek – 3rd HighJump
Phetole Rampedi – 1st 200m | 3rd 100m

With these achievements, the tension is high as we wait to see which athletes will qualify for the SA Championships. Congratulations to all our athletes!

PHOTOS

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Merensky Agricultural Academy is proud of several Plasie athletes who competed against the country’s best during the SA Schools Athletics Championships, held from 2 to 5 April 2025 in Bloemfontein.

The Plasies didn’t just tick off their participation – they achieved remarkable results and gained valuable experience on a national level:

• JP Botha secured a solid 5th place in javelin.

• Kea Kganyago delivered an excellent performance with a 4th place in javelin and 10th place in triple jump.

• Leandré de Lange finished 8th in high jump and 11th in long jump.

• Sven Hedin crossed the finish line in 7th place in the 400m hurdles and was also part of the relay team that achieved an impressive 4th place.

PHOTOS

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