The FAST Ateneo Swimming Team (FAST) trumped the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 Swimming Championships in October, closing out the competition and topping in both Men’s and Women’s divisions.
Among this year’s fiery youngbloods who helped the Men’s team grab a fourth consecutive UAAP title is last year’s Ateneo High School Swimming Team Captain Aki Cariño, who brought his four years of UAAP juniors experience to the collegiate scene.
The backstroke specialist got a taste of victory in his first UAAP seniors venture after bagging gold medals in the 100m and 200m backstroke events as well as a silver in the 50m backstroke. Aside from these individual accolades, Cariño proved to be a robust team player as he helped power the Blue Eagles to a gold in the 4x100m medley relay and a silver in the 4x50m medley relay.
Cariño’s dominance in the waters flowed even overseas as he represented the Philippines twice in the prestigious Southeast Asian Age Group Swimming Championships. He bagged a bronze in the 200m backstroke event in 2016 against 16 to 18 year-old top-seeded swimmers and just went shy of the bronze with a fourth place finish in the same event in November.
These are clear signs that this young and disciplined athlete holds immense potential for the Blue and White.
However, for all his physical brilliance, Cariño’s greatest asset to the FAST Eagles is possessing a mature and positive mindset. His attitude and leadership skills make this rookie an upcoming cornerstone to the Ateneo tankers.
“I just [want to] improve on my mentality and attitude towards the meet because it’s really all about enjoying and having fun,” shares Cariño.
With this, more astonishing finishes from this Blue Tanker can be expected next season as he constantly drives to be better at his game.
To keep the golden dream alive, FAST has to rely on each and every member of their team to step up, and more importantly, help each other do so. Treating the team as family has been part of the winning formula for the tankers.
With these in mind, Cariño plans on becoming the role model for next year’s newcomers. “Next year, I can use the experience I gained from this season to guide and help the upcoming rookies of our team,” he says.
