Ruelia crossing the finishing line first in 1:00.21 to win SRJC’s first gold since 1998. She had qualified 2nd fastest in the heat with a time of 1:04.47. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Wednesday, April 4, 2012 — Ruelia Nesaranjini finished first in the A Division Girls’ 400m final at the 53rd National Schools’ Track and Field Championships to win the first gold for Serangoon Junior College since 1998. Ruelia clocked 1 minute 0.21 seconds, just 0.13s off her personal best set in February last year.
It was the former North View Secondary School student’s first foray in the 400m at the Schools’ championships. An established sprinter, she represented her school in the 100m and 200m in the past four years, and winning two bronzes, two golds and two silvers in 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. Ruelia was also part of the 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams that won silver and bronze respectively at last year’s ASEAN School Games.
The last athlete from SRJC to win a gold medal at these championships was Rupa Balaguru, who also finished first in the A Girls’ 400m 14 years ago.
Lim Jin Yi of Hwa Chong Institution was second in 1:01.49 while Natalie Wee of Raffles Institution was third in 1:01.52. Natalie had come in second last year, while Jin Yi was third.
Windy Tay of Anglo-Chinese Junior College won applause from the watching crowd when she gamely finished her 400m final despite carrying a hamstring injury.
Results
1st Ruelia Nesaranjini (Serangoon Junior College) — 1:00.21
2nd Lim Jin Yi (Hwa Chong Institution) — 1:01.49
3rd Natalie Wee Yi Shuen (Raffles Institution) — 1:01.52
4th Ko Shi Min Sharon (Raffles Institution) — 1:03.55
5th Ng Wan Leng (Anglo-Chinese Junior College) — 1:05.62
6th Sim Yi Shien (National Junior College) — 1:08.33
7th Yeo Ke Qing Sabrina (Hwa Chong Institution) 1:12.58
8th Windy Tay Si Min (Anglo-Chinese Junior College) 1:49.11
Video © SAA. Used with permission.
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