By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Ilongga Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks could soon represent the country in international events after being named as part of Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) national training pool.
According to National University athletic director Otie Camangian, the Leon, Iloilo-native Brooks will be included in the heptathlon team along with 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medal winner Sarah Dequinan.
“Joining now the Patafa National Training Pool and Camp in Baguio City in preparation for various international tournaments in 2022 and onwards,” Camangian wrote in a Facebook page on Tuesday with a picture of Brooks.
“NATIONAL UNIVERSITY Family is so proud of you. You take care and please don’t neglect your studies Iha. Let’s Go Lady Bulldog!!!” added the sports official of NU, where Brooks is currently enrolled.
Brooks, who also works as a model, said being tapped to join the national athletics team is a dream come true as she hopes to compete in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.
“Ang saya lang to be chosen sa national training pool because I have really worked so hard the past years. It’s a dream na makasali sa national team and being part of the pool puts me closer to that,” Brooks said.
“Not everyone is given this kind of opportunity and I will continue to work hard, and with God’s grace and the people who have been pushing me to become the me that I have been dreaming my whole life, I believe I can do it,” she added.
Brooks gained the nod of Patafa after hitting the SEA Games Bronze medal qualification during the Philippine Athletics Championships at the Athletic Bowl in Baguio City late last year.
The Ilongga athlete tallied 4734 points during the national training pool qualifying event, which is four points over the 4730 points that was recorded by the bronze medal winner during the 2019 SEA Games women’s heptathlon event.
Brooks was a many-time gold medal winner as high jump athlete in WVRAA Meet and Palarong Pambansa under head coach Noel Diel. She has a personal best of 1.72 meters in high jump according to pinoyathletics.info./ASC, WDJ