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Seven gold medals for Maties at USSA Athletics
Author: Maties Sport Media
Published: 15/04/2019

 The Maties Athletics team won seven gold medals at the USSA Athletics meeting held at Coetzenburg from 4-6 April.

Justine Palframan won gold in the 200m and 400m, while Gardeo Isaacs gave Maties the 400m double with his gold. Maties dominated the 400m event with a relay gold in the 4x400m for the Maties men's team.

Pole-vaulter Valco van Wyk, high-jumper Breyton Poole and decathlon athlete Jesse Perez also won gold in their respective events.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to run and to embrace the talent that God gave me - the medals are just a bonus," said Palframan. “I'm looking forward to seeing where the season takes me and to enjoying every step of the journey."

While Palframan is one of Maties' most experienced athletes, first-year student Poole got his first USSA title.  

“I'm really happy with my performance. Winning with a season's best (2.23m) is definitely a good first-time USSA experience for me. I'm excited for the next couple of meetings. There is still a lot of work to do but I like the progress I see," said the Paul Roos Old Boy.

Van Wyk got the winning height of 4.90m with a 25km/h headwind.

“With that in mind, I am extra happy with the gold medal," he said. "This was good preparation for the African Championships. And the aim is to qualify for the World Championships in Doha."

Isaacs has been in impressive form this season and was also named Victor Ludorum after the Varsity Athletics meeting in Potchefstroom in March. 

“I'm happy to have won gold in the 400m on my home track. Now I am looking forward to the next challenge later this month at the SA Senior Championships in Germiston." 

Perez, gold medallist in the decathlon, said: “I've just come back after four months of injury recuperation, so to come away with four decathlon personal bests, I'm stoked. Next goal is the national championships in Germiston where I plan on going big!"

In total Maties won 14 medals – seven gold, three silver and four bronze.

Hadley Volkwyn, Maties Sport Athletics Manager, said: "It was a very successful meeting as hosts and as Maties. We have improved since last year and I am extremely proud of all the athletes. The standard of athletics was high and really entertaining to watch."

A group of 40 students will be selected for the World Student Championships in Naples. USSA will announce the group in May.