Team
The Ateneo Men’s Track and Field team ranked sixth in the league last year, notching a few standout performances, but failing to fully catch fire. This season, the team is armed with a fresh crop of talent, with the upcoming season serving as a fierce battleground for the Blue Eagles’ crew.
Team Captain
Henry Gonzales and Che Guevarra
Che Guevarra holds authority alongside fellow team captain Henry Gonzales, who placed third in Season 79’s decathlon for the Blue Eagles’ only medal last year. As two of the team’s most seasoned athletes, the tandem will call the shots on the battlefield, aiming for nothing short of a podium finish.
Maui Ramos
With a speedy pair of legs and a never-say-die attitude on the track, Maui Ramos has always been the team’s first-string sprinter. Failing to make the most out of two finals appearances last season, the sprinter from Ho Chi Minh has his sights set on a medal, training to leave a lasting mark in his senior year.
Leo Valera
As he makes his return to the collegiate stage after a one-year absence, Leo Valera is more than ready to suit up for the squad in Season 80 and give his all for the Blue Eagles. Having missed out on the decathlon action last year, Valera hopes to make up for lost time and support Ateneo’s cause in his first stint back.
Mark Operario
A graduate and former pole vault star from Ateneo de Manila High School, Mark Operario has built his college track record on solid showings in the preseason. Joining the program with necessary experience at the juniors level, Operario brings blue-blooded youth to the team this season.
Hughie Chua
Another impressive stalwart among the new class of rookies, Hughie Chua brims with potential and strength of heart as a Blue Eagle. A product of Grace Christian High School, the thrower has put in the hours and the hard work for his league debut, poised to make a splash in the discus event.
Coach’s Corner
Mick Perez
Long-time Coach Mick Perez adds another year under his belt as coach, directing the Blue and White at the decathlon in Season 80. As mentor and program head, Perez holds unshakeable faith that the team holds tremendous promise, having motivated and cultivated his squad alongside national record-holder Sean Guevara.
“The tests and trials they went through this past year are motivation to do much better this coming UAAP. It makes them mature further in this journey of winning [that] we have set out.”
