C Div 80m Hurdles (Girls): Tia Louise Rozario of Sports School win gold in her first year

By Romaine Soh/Red Sports

Tia Louise Rozario (#69, extreme left) of Sports School was first in 12.83 while Vanessa Low (#339, centre) of Nanyang Girls’ High was second in 12.97. Sasha Harini Raj (#67, partially hidden), also of Sports School, was third in 13.30. (Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports)

Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Thursday, April 11, 2013 — Tia Louise Rozario of Singapore Sports School won her first gold in the 80m hurdles event at the 54th National Schools Track and Field Championships, stopping the clock at 12.83 seconds to earn herself a new personal best.

Her win is all the more notable, since this is her first year in the C Division track scene, and she was up against older, more experienced runners.

Vanessa Low of Nanyang Girls’ High came in second, improving on last year’s timing of 13.30s. Sasha Harini Raj of Singapore Sports School rounded off the podium, bagging the bronze with a time of 13.30s.

“It’s my first year in track, so I’m very proud of myself!” Tia beamed.

With one more year to go in the C Division, she has her sights set on the record. “Next year, I will be trying for the record!”

The championship record of 12.44s was set in 2010 by Jannah Wong Min, then of CHIJ Katong Convent.

Tia is also registered for the long jump, of which she has no expectations.

“I’ll just try my best!” she said with a laugh.

C Girls 80m Hurdles (0.762m) Results
1st Tia Louise Rozario (Singapore Sports School, #69) — 00:12.83
2nd Vanessa Low Si Ying (Nanyang Girls’ High, #339) — 00:12.97
3rd Sasha Harini Raj (Singapore Sports School, #67) — 00:13.30
4th Hannah Tan Shu-En (Cedar Girls’, #122) — 00:13.41
5th Nadia Basil Heng Li Juan (Cedar Girls’, #128) — 00:13.89
6th Isabelle Leow Jay Min (Cedar Girls’, #123) — 00:13.94
7th Ho Yu Hui, Chelsey (CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’, #20) — 00:14.12
8th Tan Rou Ann (Nanyang Girls’ High, #336) — 00.14.49