Negrense athletes win gold in swimming, athletics, gymnastics
By Adrian Stewart Co
Negros Occidental continued to pick up more gold medals at the ongoing 2019 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet in Roxas City, Capiz.
In swimming, Earl Buncio won gold in the 200-meter butterfly 4×50 relay with Richmund Soria, Jerome Lanada, and Regan Garbanzos; and the 4×100 relay with Jay-R Punzalan, Thim Concon, and Jarryd Nerri. In addition, Garbanzos captured the 100-meter freestyle competition, Mary Lacson – 200-meter individual medley, and Juliana Villavert – 800-meter freestyle.
Meanwhile, Garbanzos earned two silver medals from competing in the 400-meter and 800-meter freestyle competitions, Concom took silver in the 200-meter individual medley, Soria won silver in the 100-meter backstroke, Von Gabana captured silver in the 200-meter backstroke, Villavert won silver in the silvers in 400-meter freestyle and 200-meter individual medley, and Lacson scored silver in the 200-meter backstroke.
Lacson, Angela Figalan, Julianne Sevilla and Ela Buelos also captured silver in the 4×100.
In terms of bronze medals, Buncio won in the 100-meter butterfly, Concom – 200-meter butterfly, Jay-R Punzalan – 100-meter backstroke, Nathaniel Ledesma – 800-meter freestyle, Lacson in the 100-meter backstroke and 100-meter freestyle, Karla Labayen – 800-meter freestyle, and Buelos – 200-meter butterfly.
Meanwhile, in athletics, Joshua Sevilla, RJ Medina, Lyndon Huelar, Keven Candazo, Bianca Seroy, Ahleia Jason, Makyla Tasorite, Kim Villaran, Chris Ann Dayanan, and Althea Bayalas each won gold in their respective events; while, Negros Occidental gymnasts Kiana Alagaban, Althea Descutido, and Danielle Jamalo finished 1-2-3 on the podium in rhythmic gymnastics during the individual all-around, ball, clubs, and rope events.
Descutido, however, won gold for ribbon; and the three combined captured the team competition.
Among other gymnastics events, Mela Mahilum and Uzielle Tejada took first and second in balance beam; Tejada, Mikaela Puentevilla, and Mahilum swept the floor exercise and individual all-around; Puentevella and Tejada took first and second place in the single bar competition; and Jan Ray Alade won gold on the vault./ASC, WDJ