Latest news with #NorthcliffHigh
The Citizen
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Local athlete climbs to become a Protea
Northcliff High's very own Chris McGowan is making waves, climbing his own success to be chosen as a member of the Proteas climbing team. Read more: South African climbing sensations selected for IFSC Youth World Championships in China Competing in the South African National Climbing Federation (SANCF) Selections Competition, McGowan secured an impressive second place in both the lead and speed disciplines. He also set a new personal best in speed, clocking in at an astonishing 8.9 seconds. This remarkable performance has earned him a spot as a Protea athlete, allowing him to represent South Africa on the international stage. Reflecting on his achievement, Chris described the moment he realised he had placed second as 'unreal'. After completing his second lead climb, he was initially in disbelief, feeling as though he was living a dream. 'It took a while to sink in,' he said, recalling the excitement of the competition. As he prepares for the upcoming world championships, he expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. 'It's truly amazing to be chosen as an athlete competing in the world championships. I know it's going to be tough, but I am working hard, training even harder, and staying super focused.' Chris' journey in climbing began at the young age of five, when he first tried the sport for fun. His brother, Michael, played a pivotal role in introducing climbing to Northcliff High by starting the first climbing team. After a hockey injury in Grade 8, Chris joined the team and has been dedicated to the sport ever since. Also read: The Simola Hillclimb 2023 thrilling and spectacular, as promised What he enjoys most about climbing is the combination of physical and mental challenges it presents. 'I love everything about climbing – the thrill of reaching the top, visualising the best routes, and the excitement of 'dino-ing' to that crimp,' he exclaimed. He also appreciates the sense of community within the sport, where climbers encourage one another, regardless of competition. However, the path to success has not been without its obstacles. Chris highlighted the importance of mental state, stating that learning to manage his emotions during challenging climbs has been a significant hurdle. 'It's a big mental game, and you have to be strong in every aspect.' Grateful for the support he receives, Chris acknowledged his family, coaches at Inside Edge, Devin Sender and Chris Buys, as well as the encouragement from Northcliff High and Mr Scott Houston. He is set to compete alongside talented climbers from Johannesburg, including Jemma Erdey, Jasper Marais, and Morgan Atkinson, as he represents South Africa on the Protea team at the prestigious IFSC Youth World Sport Climbing Championships in Helsinki, Finland, this July. In addition, he has also earned a spot to compete in the IFSC European Cup in Bologna, Italy. However the journey is costly, therefore he is pleading for donations. Those interested can kindly donate at: Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Petter Solberg to race at Simola Hillclimb
The Citizen
28-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Easter fun at parkrun
Florida — The Roodepoort parkrun boasted an impressive turnout at their Easter parkrun on April 19, with nearly 400 residents taking on the challenging 5km course that winds through Len Rutter Park. The race for first place was a heated affair, with the first three finishers clocking impressive times. First place went to Jan Kruger Jr., who finished with a new personal best of 19.14. ALSO READ: Match report: Northcliff High back to winning ways at St Stithians Sportsfest Thuso Motsaapheko took second place, crossing the line just under a minute later in 20:13, followed by Ameer Williams in third with 20:27. The women's race was won by first-timer Jessika Coetzer, who finished in 29:22. Dawn Green, in a new personal best time of 29:38, came in second. As always, the event attracted some first-timers. Nearly 20 runners crossed the parkrun finish line for the first time, while Ivan Bouwer completed his 300th, and Brenda Beckett her 450th run. Other notable performances were Thandi Zililo, who finished her 574th parkrun, Winston Donachie, who completed his 554th and Carmen Walker-Campbell, who managed 518. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
