'I want to dominate' - Brakpan Boy Cayde de Waal looks to continue good form in US NJCAA

One of the most fulfilling moments middle distance runner Cayde de Waal has experienced since his switch to the USA was his outstanding performance at the National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) division one outdoor track and field championships in May.

de Waal won the Indian Hills Community College a gold medal in the 1 500m at the NJCAA Region IV meet in April in a college best 3:52.52 before clocking 3:52.94 for fourth at the nationals a month later, to become an All American.

"Since that race, I haven't stopped thinking about what more I could accomplish. There are no limits to what I can do this upcoming season for both the indoor and the outdoor track season. I want to dominate on the track and hopefully break some school records," he told #TheTopRunner.

de Waal has had an excellent 2024 on the NJCAA and is looking forward to an even better 2025. Photo Credit: Supplied.

And it's not just on the track where the man from Brakpan has enjoyed success. The 21-year old is beaming with confidence after helping Indian Hills to an incredible run in the NJCAA division 1 cross-country championships that concluded on 9 November. He finished 30 overall out of 193 athletes but his best performance was at the regional championships on 25 October where he clocked the fourth fastest time in his school's history after crossing the line in 24:24.02 for sixth place in the 8km race.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed being and competing in the US. The level of competition is something I can't stop talking about. Competing at one of the highest levels in the US, has shaped my career and helped me to be where I am today."

Cayde de Waal competes at the 2023 Colgate Race at Boksburg Stadium. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

Originally from Hoërskool Oostelig in the Ekurhuleni town of Brakpan, the former Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) athlete cut his teeth at local club, IRun AC under his father and level two ASA coach Jared de Waal. de Waal junior now boasts college bests of 1:56.11 in the 800m, 8:58.68 in the 3000m, 4:14.34 in the mile as well as 18:29.08 in the 6km in cross-country - all achieved this year. The most rewarding moments of his young career are achieving his goals and surprising himself. And after his successful first year away from home, he's looking forward to breaking school records and making the jump to the NCAA to compete against the best athletes in the US.

"I have set goals for track and cross-country seasons and I ended up achieving them every time. I sometimes ended up doing something I didn't even think was possible," he said. "The indoor track season starts on 7 December. My short-term goal is the mile indoors and 1 500m outdoors. The mile is a tough one but I want to go sub-4:05 and probably break the school record. In the 1 500m, it will be to get low 3:40's and potentially take a stab at breaking that 3:40 barrier. In the long-term I want to transfer to the NCAA. It will be a big step towards my main goal of the 2028 Olympics and going pro."