National Champions: Laerskool Baillie Park Boys Win the Schools Mountain Bike Title
The Potchefstroom primary school sent a squad of young riders to the Western Cape for two days of racing against schools from across the country. The school described the result as a proud moment, with the boys' team taking the overall title and two riders finishing on the podium in their categories.
Two days of racing in Stellenbosch
Riders from Laerskool Baillie Park, known as the Baillies, raced on both 28 and 29 September in the Nipper, Sprog and Subjunior age groups for boys and girls. The school credited its riders' perseverance, teamwork and school spirit for the result.
Henrey Jacobs led the way in the Subjunior boys' category, finishing third on the first day and winning the race on the second. NJ Olivier was runner-up in the Nipper boys' category on both days.
The results
- Subjunior boys: Henrey Jacobs, 3rd (28 September) and 1st (29 September)
- Nipper boys: NJ Olivier, 2nd on both days; Waldo Potgieter, 19th and 26th; Kaleb Odendaal, 31st
- Nipper girls: Mieke Vlok, 14th and 26th; Mienke Smith, 25th and 30th
- Sprog boys: Jannes Brace, 24th and 20th; Zach Vlok, 40th and 50th
- Subjunior girls: Zandri Janse van Rensburg, 15th on both days; Grizelda Janse van Rensburg, 17th and 18th
A coach who also flew the North West flag
The school gave special thanks to its coach, Ms Kristen van der Berg, who also served as a North West representative at the championships. The school thanked her for her passion for mountain biking and for the time, guidance and encouragement she puts into the riders.
What this means for you
For Baillie Park families, the national title is a reward for a season of early mornings and hard training. Parents and learners who want to get involved in school mountain biking can contact the school about joining the Baillies MTB team, and the community can congratulate the riders on the school's Facebook page.
Source: Laerskool Baillie Park (Facebook), https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1554645596678203
Photo: Laerskool Baillie Park Facebook page