DAGUPAN CITY -- The Ilocos Norte Schools Division was unbeatable in the recent Ilocos Region Athletic Association (Iraa) meet.

Ilocos athletes displayed their supremacy and dominance in the weeklong sporting event, successfully defending their throne and in the process capturing their 10th over-all crown.

Valentine's 2009 blog

They went home Friday afternoon leaving their imprint in the annals of Iraa by capturing their 10th win in 10 consecutive years, beating 13 other schools divisions in Ilocos region.

In the final overall ranking, Ilocos Norte collected a total of 660.17 points, 321.5 points in the elementary division and 338.67 in the secondary level.

At far second is Pangasinan II Schools Division which earned a total of 395 points. Its elementary athletes scored a total of 162 points while the high school players scored 233 points.

Third place is Pangasinan I Schools Division with 378 points (140 points in the elementary level and 238 points in the secondary level).

La Union has 246 points good for fourth place. Laoag City came next with 224 points followed by Ilocos Sur (198.17), Dagupan City (150), Alaminos City (119.17), Batac City (72.5), Candon City (57), San Carlos City (56), San Fernando City (51), Urdaneta City (40), and Vigan City (15).

Next year’s Iraa will be hosted by Ilocos Norte Schools Division.

One of the factors considered to be behind the reign of Ilocos Norte in the Iraa is Ilocos Norte Governor Michael Keon, former president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Gintoy Alay that produced before the likes of Asean sprint queen Lydia de Vega.

Ilocos Norte’s sports program was designed by Keon about nine years ago when he was first elected as Provincial Board (PB) member. He was then the chairman of the PB sports committee during the incumbency of then governor Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Their athletes are housed and trained one month before the Iraa. They are well-feed, receive complete vitamins, and provided with tutors so they will not miss in academics.

They send about 800 delegates to Iraa every year. They are expected to field more next year when they host the sports event. (LCMY/Sunnex)