Cheptonon High School student Margaret Gati will lead other junior athletes at this weekend’s Athletics Kenya national under 20/18 trials ahead of Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) championships in Lusaka, Zambia.
Gati, who represented the country at both the 2021 and 2022 World Under 20 championships in Nairobi and Cali, Colombia, won the Rift Valley Secondary Schools Sports Association (RVSSSA) 5,000m walk race title.
She immediately embarked on a journey to Nairobi for the U18/U20 trials which begin Friday morning at Nyayo Stadium.
Gati won the title in 24:19.0 ahead of Sera Njeri from Maela High School, Nakuru (25:34.9) while Brenda Ambai from Kamimei Secondary settled for third in 26:12.3.
“My target is to win the national title and earn a slot into team kenya to Lusaka,” Chacha said at Moi Girls High School grounds.
In other races, Mercy Chepkorir and Ronald Kipkoech were cross country winners in the 6km and 8km races respectively.
In sprints, Kapsitet’s Duncan Kipngeno won the 100m and 200m double. The Kericho-based runner won the 100m in 11.20 followed by Baringo’s Ali Mhahar (11.40) and Erick Barasa from St Anthony (11.50).
In 200m, he clocked 22.90 followed by Kaplelach’s Collins Kimutai (23.60) and Nandi's Brian Kosgey ( 23.70).
Cheptil Girls from Nandi county matched into the basketball quarterfinals after a 27-15 win over Moi Girls Kapsowar from Elgeyo Marakwet and 32-0 against Kipsigis Girls. Ndururumo were 50-30 losers to Nakuru Girls.
Nanyuki from Laikipia lost 36-41 to Tenwek from Bomet while Kilgoris were 10-39 losers against West Pokot’s Chewoyet.
After losing the opener Nanyuki reenergised and beat Kilgoris 40-11 and Kericho’s Kipchimchim lost 23-57 to Trans Nzoia’s Sinoko.
St Patrick’s Iten set up a successful revenge against Kabianga in rugby 15s. After losing the 2019 final to Kabianga from Kericho, the Elgeyo Marakwet side eliminated Kabianga in the last Pool 'D' after a 29-06 win.
The Bernard Indasi-coached side will now face Laikipia’s Nanyuki Boys in the last eight.
Indasi said: “We need to improve on our set pieces since Nanyuki are tactical."
In other matches, Uasin Gishu’s Kipsombe beat Baringo’s Kabarnet 7-3 in Pool 'C' to set up a clash against Kapsabet Boys.
Nakuru’s Jomo Kenyatta overcame Ngong Town from Kajiado county 5-0.
Ortum High School from West Pokot beat Kilgoris High from Narok county 27-0 while Kabarnet High from Baringo narrowly beat Longisa from Bomet 12-7.
Ortum will be up against Kabarnet High in the quarters while Jomo Kenyatta have a date with St Anthony High. Kipsombe host Kapsabet Boys in the third match.
Gideon Kosgey bagged a brace in the 16th and 55th minutes while Linton Nayombe added one goal as national boys' hockey champions St Anthony hammered Baringo’s Emining 3-0.
Nandi’s Kapsabet Boys beat Tambach High 2-1. Aaron Getakwa struck first for the winners, Felix Kiptoo leveled matters before Solomon Ekno sealed the win in the 40th minute.
In girls’ hockey quarterfinals, Brenda Moraa scored a solitary goal in the penalty flicks to hand Nakuru’s Afraha a place in the semifinals against West Pokoto’s Tartar Girls.
In another girls' quarters encounter, Abigail Chepkemoi scored four as Tachasis thrashed Mogotio 7-0.
Also on the scoresheet were Risper Cherotich (2) and Maureen Nekesa were on target.
