By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Three Negros Occidental-based athletes captured gold medals in the secondary track and field event of the Palarong Pambansa 2023 at the Marikina Sports Center yesterday.
Krisha Dedoyco Aguillon, a standout of Bacolod Tay Tung High School, emerged as the fastest sprinter after topping the secondary girls 100-meter dash for her first gold in the week-long competition.
The Bacolod City-native Aguillon finished the race in 12.57 seconds to defeat Region 4-A’s Krisleen Santiago (12.82 seconds) and Region 7’s Schemely Ombid (12.95 seconds). Another Western Visayas (WV) bet, Angel Villagracia, ended in sixth place.
“Nag-paid off ang pinabudlayan namon sa training,” Aguillon, who is reportedly drawing interest from some Manila-based schools, said.
“Happy man gid because the best of the best ang nag-compete dito sa Palaro,” she added.
Aguillon, younger sister of Far Eastern University sprinter Antonette Jay Aguillon, will have a chance to add up to her medal haul as she competes in the 200-meter dash on Thursday, August 3, and 4×100 meter relay on Friday, August 4.
Negrense hurdler Mico Villaran and Airex Gabriel Villanueva of Romanito Maravilla National High School also won a gold medal each in the secondary boys 400-meter dash and shot put, respectively.
On the other hand, Antique province’s San Remigio-native Erica Nicole Coleen Salmeron added to the WV’s gold medal haul after topping the elementary girls shot put event.
In swimming, Bacolodnon Anika Matiling bagged a gold medal in the elementary girls 100-meter backstroke, while Aklanon Jennuel Bool de Leon won two silvers in secondary boys 100-meter backstroke, and the 4×50 meter medley relay with Lance Magno, Earl Buncion and Troy Castor.
WV bagged three silvers in taekwondo courtesy of Cyd Edryc Esmaña in secondary boys individual poomsae, secondary mixed pair and team poomsae and a bronze medal from Julianna Martha Uy in secondary girls individual poomsae.
Meanwhile, the WV elementary girls volleyball team punched a ticket to the semifinals after notching their second win against Marikina City yesterday morning.
The Roberto Calamba-mentored WV elementary girls spikers scored a 25-17, 25-21 victory over Region 10 with Arianne Alayon being hailed as the Player of the Game.
On Tuesday afternoon, August 1, the Bacolod Tay Tung High School-reinforced WV elementary girls volley team scored a lopsided 25-11, 25-18 victory over Region 5./ASC, WDJ