CARRYING ON their status as perennial contenders, the FAST Ateneo Swimming Team Women’s roster settled their anchor in second place after their strenuous efforts throughout the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Swimming Championships.
The Blue Eagles achieved a total of seven gold, six silver, and four bronze medals at Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool in the City of Manila.
Opening the finals events for the Women’s Division, Mishka Sy and Samantha Coronel coasted through tides, claiming the fourth and fifth places in the 50m Backstroke event. The two Atenean tankers checked in at adjacent places with 31.55 and 31.64 ticks respectively.
Following suit was Annika Isip, Nirel Ibarra, and Charlyn Romanos vying for a podium finish in the 200m Breastroke event. In the end, Isip landed a podium spot, completing the event at 2:45.90 minutes to claim a bronze medal.
Meanwhile, Sy and Sam Doragos donned the Blue and White in the 200m Butterfly event. Carrying on with her impressive maiden season, Sy clocked in at 2:23.45 minutes to chip in another silver medal for the Blue Eagles.
Closing off the individual races were Maiki Gonzaga and Kirsten Manuel, both of whom participated in the 50m Freestyle event. Ultimately, Manuel tailed University of the Philippines Varsity Swimming Team’s Atas De la Torre, eventually clocking in at 28.10 seconds and claiming the fourth spot in the race.
The Loyola Heights-based squad led by Coronel, Isip, Marjorie Manguiat, and Gonzaga capped off the season with a gold medal in the lone group event of the day at the 4x100m medley relay. Charged on by her first three teammates’ performances, Gonzaga secured a leading distance at the end of the race which prompted their gold finish at 4:34.89 minutes.
With a young core and talented recruits to come, the Blue Eagles now shift their attention to Season 87 in hopes of reclaiming their status as queens of collegiate Swimming.
UAAP Standings
Women’s Swimming Standing
- UP Fighting Maroons (435 points)
- FAST Ateneo Women’s Swimming Team (351 points)
- DLSU Lady Tankers (192 points)
- UST Tigersharks (167 points)
