The Alaminos City Division (ACD) set it mind on three lofty goals in this year’s Ilocos Region Athletic Association (IRAA) Meet held in Lingayen, Pangasinan from February 24-29.
All of which were achieved at the end of the week-long sports fest.
The Alaminos Team, composed of 249 young and talented athletes, came out firing from start to finish to register its best ever finish in the annual meet.
Dr. Renato R. Viray-CESO V, Schools Division Superintendent, said the city bagged home a total of 10 golds, 16 silvers and 26 bronzes from just 10 sports disciplines.
He disclosed that all of the medals came from taekwondo, badminton, lawn tennis and athletics.
2008 IRAA List of Winners
On target
Viray said this year bunch of athletes easily surpassed 36 medals copped by the city’s team in last year’s of IRAA held in San Carlos City.
Out of the 13 divisions, ACD is now ranked 8th Over-all, two notches higher than last year’s medal standing.
Not bad for one of the newest divisions in Region I and with the smallest delegations in this event.
The city division is also placed 6th and 12th in the Elementary and Secondary levels, respectively, bettering its old mark last year.
Interestingly, among the 8 city divisions in the region, ACD was on top in the elementary division over-all ranking.
Viray noted that the city’s athletes delivered and are now at par with the best competitors from other provinces and divisions.
“Our athletes will continue to excel as the level of competitions improve each year,” he added.
And ACD had done it despite the absence of top athletes who steered the city’s amazing run last year.
Stepping up
According to Jose Elvis TC Sison, Executive Assistant IV to the city mayor, at least four athletes who captured multiple individual honors have already graduated in elementary.
He cited sprint kings Billy Tanda, Peter Aldrick Bumagat and Pierre Lyzander Co as examples.
Tanda was named as the most bemedalled athlete in last year’s IRAA for snaring four gold medals in athletics.
But he is now competing in the high school level and thereby, depriving the city of potential gold medals.
So is taekwondo sensation Melanie Douglas and badminton champs Jeselle Ann Serna and Bobbie Ann Bautista who are now freshmen.
“Their presence could not be felt maybe in one or two years as they contend with older, faster, bigger rivals,” said Sison.
“But they will continue to compete and hone their skills under the guidance of our coaches and trainers knowing that their perfect time will come to shine anew,” he added.
Sison, also the Hundred Islands Youth and Sports Club adviser, said performance-wise, this year’s team is better compared to the previous contingents.
The taekwondo team likewise delivered winning 3 gold medals courtesy of Jillian Clarence Dela Cruz, Ma. Shanice Bravo and Daryl Delos Santos.
Badminton aces Kristiffin Reyes, Jona Mae Sindayen, Clarisse Tugade Mia Camille Cabatic and Jan Jonas Giron also topped the elementary division’s singles, doubles and team event.
The young and determined tennis team bounced back from a frustrating campaign last year to capture it’s first-ever medal for the city.
Palaro bound
Abarquez and De Leon’s performance in the finals along with Kathleen Mae Bautista of the secondary division earned them a slot in the champion’s team of Ilocos Norte.
While all the remaining of the silver and bronze medals was attributed to the athletics team from both elementary and secondary levels.
Dr. Arturo R. Viray, Education Supervisor I for MAPEH and head of the city’s contingent disclosed that ACD is likely to send its biggest delegation in years in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa.
“On our initial list, we have at least 9 athletes going to Palawan,” said Viray.
They are Gelyn Rapelo (volleyball-elementary), Daryl Delos Santos, Jillian Clarence, and Ma. Shanice Bravo (taekwondo-elementary); Kristiffin Reyes, Ma. Zarah Villanueva and Jan Jonas Giron (badminton-elementary); Deborah Abarquez and Kathleen Bautista (lawn tennis-elementary and secondary, respectively).
Viray is optimistic that more names will be included on the list that will see action in Palaro this summer.
In 2006, the city has a lone delegate in the person of Marivic Casipit, a long distance runner.
Last year, there were seven athletes who competed in Koronadal City South Cotabato but returned home empty handed.
Viray noted that with untiring support and long term commitment of the Braganza administration in bringing back the glory days of sports in Alaminos, the city’s team will do its best to make Alaminians proud again.
Hefty incentives
The Alaminos City Division is expected to present to the Mayor the winning athletes including their respective coaches and trainors who stand to receive cash incentives from Mayor Braganza and the city government.
A courtesy call to the Mayor is now being arranged by the division chief for the athletes, coaches and ACD officials.
In the said meeting, the city’s delegation is expected to extend anew their sincere gratitude to the hardworking and very supportive chief executive for all his valuable and timely contributions to the city’s youth and sports development.
As done in the previous years, gold, silver and bronze medalists in IRAA will be receiving P 5, 000, P 3, 000, and P 1,000, respectively, from the city government during a simple recognition day coinciding with the upcoming city fiesta celebration.
Coaches and trainers of the winning athletes will also be given incentives for their major role in the team’s successful campaign this year.
Indeed, ACD’s recent feat is something to really celebrate. More so, that the city government and the city division team-up is starting to realize its common vision for the Alaminos athletes and students. (CIO)