However, her biggest result in 2017 was fifth place at the World Youth Championships in Nairobi, Kenya – especially considering that the youngster from Sasolburg was not initially selected for the Champs.“ I was not in the original team selected to go, but we appealed the decision and I eventually found myself in the team. I was so excited when I heard the news, but I had very little time in which to prepare properly, and to top it off, I was ill two weeks before we left. Still, what an honour to represent your country! I have always wanted to compete for South Africa, and this will hopefully be the first of many more times.”

African Adventure

Nairobi was certainly a very different experience for Nicole and her teammates.“ Everyone was so friendly, and we had a police escort when we travelled from the airport to our accommodation at Kenyata University, and to the stadium. But there were so many cars on the road! It was a bit freaky, because I am used to a quieter environment in Sasolburg, but we were treated really well. The food was amazing, especially the dessert table. That was the best!” Nicole admits sheepishly.

Another huge bonus was the incredible crowd support in the Kasarani Stadium. The seating capacity is officially 60,000, but many have suggested that there were more than 60,000 in the stadium every day of the Champs, and they contributed to an incredible atmosphere not seen before at an event of this nature.“ It was amazing, having all these people watching, but it wasn’ t intimidating at all. It got me excited to be racing in front of so many people. I was happy, though, that the initial heats of the race were cancelled, as I did battle a bit with the altitude.”( The stadium lies at 1795m.)

As with most youngsters when they compete internationally, friendships are formed and the first trip is quite an adventure.“ I made friends with the Moroccans who were running with me. It was funny because we couldn’ t really understand each other, but somehow we managed to communicate. It was an amazing experience.” However, on the track Nicole put aside friendship as she set out with her trademark aggressive style in the final.“ The start was slow, so Lyndi Roelofse and I went to the front. I did not want to get boxed in early on, so I was happy running in the front. Lyndi set the pace until 800m to go, but then the Kenyans and Ethiopians kicked.” While the East Africans were deciding the medals up front, Nicole found herself in a battle with Bulgaria’ s Liliana Georgieva, and just 13 one-hundredths of a second separated the two as Nicole edged Georgieva into sixth place.

Bright future

There is no doubt that Nicole is a massively talented young athlete, who looks set to go far in athletics, but competing around the country and internationally throughout the past year – she also represented SA at the World Cross Country Champs in Kampala, Uganda in March – means that she missed out on some school days. Fortunately, Sasolburg High School, where she will be in grade 11 in 2018, is very supportive of her sport, and the teachers have assisted wherever they can so that Nicole’ s studies have not suffered.

Added to that, Nicole can call on the support of two of her running role models, Elana van Zyl Meyer and Nolene Conrad, who actively support her through Endurocad. Nolene, in particular, has taken an active interest in Nicole, as both run for KMPG, and they speak regularly.“ Nolene always has an encouraging word for us and takes a big interest in us,” says Nicole. In turn, Nolene responds that“ Nicole is so talented. She is hungry and aggressive in her running, and we haven’ t seen this kind of talent in a while. It is exciting to see her race.”

Images: Roger Sedres / ImageSA