UJ, who are currently in fourth position after last month’s opening meet in Potchefstroom, have a strong mathematical chance of overtaking third-placed University of the Free State. Tuks and Pukke lead the pack, by a virtually unassailable margin, in first and second place respectively.
UJ athletics manager Roger Haitengi says his athletes would be looking to narrow the gap on the log leaders and take the laurels in a number of key events.
“We were unlucky in the first instalment with a number of second-place finishes that cost us valuable points,” said Haitengi.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist long jumper Ruswahl Samaai, who is currently number one in the senior outdoor world rankings, will be one of the athletes to watch.
Samaai recently secured the Central Gauteng title with a jump of 8.12m after equalling his personal best of 8.13m earlier this season.
Meanwhile, Senekal finished second a year ago when she pushed defending champion Anneri Ebersohn but fell short in the final stretch, however, she will be looking to erase that from her memory as she goes in search of that elusive win.
“Being in front of your home crowd gives you that extra motivation, for example during last year’s relay – running in front of the team – hearing them cheer in that last 100m makes you dig deep. It is always fun [running at home] in front of your friends and family.
