GOING up against a tough field of swimmers, the Cebuano tankers have been pushed to their limits in the 107th Silliman Founders Day Age Group Swimming Festival, but still managed to be in the Top 3 in the team ranking as of yesterday at the Shaw Memorial Swimming Pool inside the Silliman University campus.
The Cebuanos, bannered by the Cebu Blue Marlins Club, only managed to win 10 gold medals of the almost 50 events they joined on the first day of competitions last Friday. But having 16 silver and 18 bronze medals were enough to keep its bid for another overall title alive.
The competition attracted teams from Cagayan de Oro, Aklan, Zamboanga, Bacolod and a sturdy guest team from Germany. CBM, which won the overall title of the Philippine Olympic Festival last month, is eyeing to keep up its impressive run as it guns for the Silliman overall title.
However, it will not come easy for the Cebuanos as they are up against some of the toughest teams in the south.
“We are having a hard time against the swimmers from the Silliman Red Snappers and those from Zamboanga City. Our swimmers are really challenged here with the high level of competition that the event has,” said head coach Rolando Alvarez.
CBM looked to its usual heroes to put the title bid in motion. Carrying the team on her back was Paula Abigail Vega of University of Cebu and Cebu Eastern College’s Anthony Linn Navarro.
Competing in the Girls 15-17 age division, Vega won four gold medals as she topped the 400 meters individual medley, 200 meter IM, 200m fly and salvaged a silver in the 100 free.
Navarro, on the other hand, won two gold medals and two silvers in the 100m free and 50m fly contests of the boys 9-10 bracket.
Navarro’s sister Lyh Ann added a gold and a silver in the medal haul after winning the 100m back in her age bracket and finishing second in the 100 free, while UC’s Joyce Huguete topped the girls 11-12 100m breast. (MCB)
