Larrie lightning
2008-10-09
Jaco van Wyk
GREATNESS waits on the other side of the finish line for 17-year-old Melissa Hewitt - that is for certain. When the 100m athlete from La Rochelle Girls’ High sprints down the line, it is clear why she recently received a Four-Star achiever award at Boland Athletics’ prize-giving function in honour of her brilliant performances at this year’s Southern Region Youth Championships-CAA and the Asa Youth and Junior Championships. At the SA championships Melissa came first in the 100m final in a time of 12,13 minutes. She was also part of the victorious relay team at the same event. At the Asa Championships Melissa received a silver medal in the 100m final (12,05min), and also claimed a bronze medal in the 200m final, with a time of 24,50 minutes. Melissa’s best achievement however, came when she took gold in the 100m event at the Cossasa School Championships in Germiston, with a time of 11,7m - a new record. For Melissa the victory will always be cherished because of the fact that she set a new record, but more than that the Grade 11 pupil also achieved a personal victory on the day. “I came up against a girl who used to beat me every year, since I was in grade 8. For me to beat her at this year’s Cossasa School Championships, whilst breaking the record in the process, was a very special feeling.” Although Melissa has been doing athletics since Grade 1, it was only in Grade 8 when she realised that she really had talent, “so I began practising hard and since then I have started to perform.” Other achievements for the Larrie, this year, include a first place in the 100m at the Bloemfontein Top Ten meeting, a first place in the 100m-final (12,00) and 200m final (25,70) at the Boland Athletics Championships and a first place in the 100m final (12,21) at the Western Cape Championships. Melissa also came third in the 100m (heat) at the Western Cape Championships, and second in the 100m (12,13) at the SA Schools Championships. According to Melissa it would be a great honour to compete at the Olympics Games one day. “I would love to be part of the Olympic Games. We have already started training towards the next games in 2012.” But Melissa may be lifting some eyebrows sooner than she thinks, seeing that scouts for the Olympic Games will be keeping a close eye on the Larrie when she will be representing South Africa in the Zone VI in December.”
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