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09/02/2015

Madibaz middle-distance specialist Amos Nyongo delivered the standout performance at the Eastern Province Athletics track and field meeting that took place in Port Elizabeth on Saturday morning.

The 28-year-old outpaced a field loaded with up and coming talent in stifling conditions to win the senior men's 1 500m in an admirable time of 3:44.71.
 
In the 100m, former Olympic sprinter Sergio Mullins broke the tape in 10.86 seconds to lead a podium whitewash for the university.
 
Jade Schutte (19) also dipped under the 11-second mark with a fine early season coastal time of 10.99, leaving fan favourite Lonwabo Majerman (23) to settle for third in 11.05. 
 
High jump star Garth Ellis continued the Madibaz's onslaught when he cleared the bar set at a respectable hight of 2.05m to grab the win ahead of teammate Craig Canham (2.00m). 
 
In a close-fought encounter, Zolani Ngqaqa's 14:39:60 was enough to hold off teammate Mariano Eesou – voted NMMU's athlete of the year last season – by five seconds in the tough men's 5 000m. 
 
Madibaz's Aidan Battison won the women's triple jump with a leap of 11.20m, while teammate Morita Botha cleared 1.60m to claim honours in the high jump. 
 
Continuing from where she had left off last year, the university's field star Ischke Senekal was once again a cut above the rest, cleaning up in the women's discus (49.55m) and shot put (15.15m) disciplines.
 
NMMU athletics manager Nellis Bothma said although the Madibaz had enjoyed home ground advantage, the club currently boasted some of the finest athletes in the province.
 
He said the meeting had given his charges an opportunity to gauge their form ahead of the upcoming provincial, student and national championships.
 
Another important objective is the televised Varsity Athletics series which takes place from March 24 to April 27.
 
"After the weekend, our athletes should know where they stand and what prep is still needed," said Bothma.
 
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