21st September 2010

PORT Elizabeth matriculant Jessica Roux took gold in the 5km Open Water Swim at the Senior Africa Swimming Championships in Casablanca, Morocco, yesterday.

Jessica, head girl at Collegiate High School, was the only member from the Eastern Cape in the 22-person team from South Africa to compete in the championships in the north African country.

Her mother, Alison Roux, said the family was ecstatic after hearing about Jessica’s win at lunch- time yesterday. She said the family was having lunch to celebrate Jessica’s grandfather, Peter Roux’s 80th birthday. “We are so proud of her, and it was wonderful to hear of her win while the family was together. Her grandfather had tears in his eyes as Jessica said her win was his birthday present.”

She said Jessica had been in Morocco since last Friday and that she would be returning tomorrow.

“Jessica has missed some of her trial exams to compete but the school has been supportive. It is hard to juggle matric work, swimming and her duties as head girl but Jessica has made us all so proud.”

Alison said the South African team had performed the best at the championships in Morocco and were currently ranked first with the most medals.

She added that Jessica would now train for next year’s senior swimming event in April and for 3km, 5km and 10km events in Jeffreys Bay next month.