By Clifford James L. Danduan
THE UNIVERSITY of Mindanao (UM) Track and Field team is sending 13 seasoned athletes to see action in the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championship 2024 on May 8-12 at the PhilSports Track Oval in Pasig City.
The UM bets are set to do battle in various track and field events in both open and U20 categories.
Leading the charge on the men’s team is Johnny Gil Meder (sprint, relay), the team captain, along with Dharlie Baguisan (sprint, relay), Adrean Cabacang (sprint, relay), Jully Jan Molinos (sprint, relay), Kenneth Alipan (hurdle, sprint, relay), EJ Sanchez (relay), and Khristian Val Muñoz (throws).
Meanwhile, the women’s team will be headlined by the three-time Philippine National Games 2023 gold medalist, Lyka Catubig (walk, long distance). Joining her in the team are Angeline Reponte (sprint, relay), Andrea De Guia (sprint, relay), Kate Duffy Gel Mcdowell (long distance, steeple chase), Bernadette Mendiola (jump), and Sofia Jean Bangunan (throws).
This year’s trackfest is going to be hotter like summertime as the country’s finest and foreign bets from nine countries will also vie for victory.
Despite possibly facing a tough challenge, UM Track and Field head coach Det Harrish Ratag shared that UM tracksters are all set to show their best wares in their quest of securing triumph in the fastest race in the country.
“UM athletes are always ready to compete in any competition. Ang Philippine Athletics Championship, mao ni ang highest competition sa Philippines, so we expect more athletes nga kusog. Even team Philippines, magdula ( UM athletes are always ready to compete in any competition. The Philippine Athletics Championship is the highest competition in the Philippines, so it’s expected that there will be powerful athletes. Even the Philippine National Team will play).”
Ratag also assured that they would do everything to bring home medals.
“Gagawin namin ang lahat and we hope na magka medals kami (We will do everything and we hope to secure medals).”
Coach Ratag, together with Ernesto Alsa, will oversee the squad’s coaching duties in the five-day event.
The trackfest, formerly known as the Philippine National Open, will gather the biggest number of athletes in the history of the Philippine Athletics Championship with more than 1,200 registered participants, all set for an electrifying showdown of skills and perseverance in Pasig City.
