Full steam ahead. Joel Magturo off the blocks in the Men’s 400-meter heats. Photo by Joseph S. Angan
THE BLUE and Lady Tracksters both finished the UAAP Season 74 Track and Field tournament at fifth place, as four gold medals proved insufficient to propel the men’s team to a podium finish and the women’s team failed to maintain its standing last year.
A point system is utilized in track and field. The team that accumulates the most points—based on the standing of every athlete in their respective events—wins. A few individual gold medals, therefore, are great for the athletes that win them, but at times are not enough to push the whole team onto the podium.
While track and field is often thought of as an individual sport, working as a team is vital to success. Prior to the meet, everyone ensures that their teammate is following the training program, going to class and eating right. By watching out for each other, the team sees to it that no one is left behind.
Blue Tracksters
The men’s team accumulated a total of 111 points to land them at fifth place.
The Blue Tracksters claimed victory in the events they were banking on, with their resident superstars delivering in their bread and butter events. Geelo Arayata, Al Bugarin, Soy Soriano, and EJ Valera each brought home a gold medal in their respective events.
Soriano clinched the gold in running the 100-meter dash in 11.02 seconds. Soriano’s teammate Valera jumped an all-time personal best of 4.05 meters and also brought the gold back to Ateneo in the pole vault. Arayata threw a UAAP-best of 38 meters in the discus throw, while Bugarin threw by13.29 meters in the shot put event. The latter was the lone thrower to reach the 13-meter mark. These four heavyweights carried the team on their backs and tried to bring everyone to the finish line.
While the veterans got their desired results, the youth and inexperience of the rest of the team hindered them from placing. “We got most of the points we expected, however there were some events where we didn’t deliver,” said Soriano.
Supersenior Arayata keeps things on a more positive note. “I am still proud that none of us, especially the seniors and the throwers, capitulated until the final event,” referring to his team’s all-out all-heart effort in the UAAP.
Lady Tracksters
Like the men’s team, the women’s team is largely composed of rookies. Marking a year of transition and rebuilding, the Lady Tracksters went all out but failed to collect individual medals and valuable points to maintain last year’s 4th place standing—save for one bronze medal in the shot put.
Rookie Vanessa Baguiwet was the only one who placed in her event. She won the bronze with a throwing distance of 9.79 meters. The girls were expected to do better in the 4×100-meter relay, but, unfortunately, rookie Klarizze Posadas—the Asia Pacific Activities Conference MVP—pulled her hamstring. Still, she gathered enough courage to push through with the event. Despite the relay team placing fourth, spectators said it was one of the best relays they had ever seen.
The Lady Tracksters only garnered a total of 25 points, putting them in fifth place. There were several factors that contributed to this, such as athletes switching events too late in the school year, injuries before and during the UAAP and a team lacking in numbers and experience.
The lack of competition exposure was the biggest hurdle for the team. “The rookies really had the most potential and everyone was looking forward to their performances. [They] need more collegiate experience so they can adjust to the competition atmosphere,” shared co-captain Poly Villar. “Physically they were all prepared to compete. I think the main challenge was the mental preparation. The pressure involved in UAAP can really do so much to you. It takes experience for you to learn how to deal with that pressure,” added co-captain Meggie Ochoa.
Looking ahead
The Tracksters will lose four graduating medalists, but do expect incoming supersenior and double bronze medalist Miguel Sibayan to lead the young team alongside Bugarin in UAAP Season 75. The Lady Tracksters will only lose one athlete, co-captain Ochoa, graduating this March.
Although this was not the best year for the Lady Tracksters in terms of performance, raw talent and determination were evident. “I am sure that in the next few years these [rookies] will shine,” shared Ochoa.
The team will also get a boost with the construction of the track oval on Erenchun field. “Once the oval is constructed, training will be much easier not only for the college team, but also for the high school and grade school teams,” said outgoing men’s captain Azcueta.
As for the following season, both teams will have their hands full. The odds are stacked against them and winning the championship may be far-fetched. Valera, however, remains optimistic. “Although young, I think the team has enough motivation and drive to work harder next year.”
Final Results:
Men’s Division: 1st-FEU (188 points), 2nd-UST (160 points), 3rd-DLSU (144 points)
Women’s Division: 1st-FEU (293 points), 2nd-UST (233 points), 3rd-UE (171 points)
