UST Tracksters bag medals in athletics opener

THE UST Tracksters hauled 11 medals in Day 1 of the UAAP Season 79 athletics tournament at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig Wednesday.

UST began its title-retention bid in the women’s division with two gold, three silver and two bronze medals. The Male Tracksters pocketed one gold, one silver and two bronze medals.

Female Trackster Luz Delfin set a new UAAP record in the hammer throw event with a 41.88-meter performance, surpassing teammate Aira Teodosio’s previous record of 40.70 meters in 2016.

EJ Obiena scored the Male Tracksters’ lone gold medal of the day following a 5.30-meter finish in men’s pole vault while teammates Louielyn Pamatian and Faiza Lenton secured gold and silver in the women’s 800-meter dash with 2:20.05 and 2:21.10, respectively.

Richie Dala and Michelle De Vera mustered silver and bronze, respectively, in the 5000-meter walk behind finishes of 30:18.9 and 30:31.8.

Romnick Nor and Eloisa Luzon both settled for silver in their 100-meter dash events after recording 10.94 and 12.27 seconds, respectively.

Ronjon Redoble clocked in 1:57.42 in the men’s 800-meter dash for bronze while Mark Manipon also finished third in men’s shotput with 12.51 meters.

Cristelle Ferrera came third in the women’s hammer throw behind a 36.46-meter throw.

“[Sa women’s], lamang tayo ng konti lang. Na-dominate tayo sa high jump. In the next four days, kailangan mag-focus dahil ganoon kadali ang championship ng women’s team,” UST head coach Manny Calipes said.

“Sa men’s, hati ‘yung scoring. Umii-score lahat ng teams ngayon [sa mga events]. Walang dominance kaya di natin ma-determine pa ‘yung placing,” he added.

UAAP athletics action will resume today, 3 p.m., at the same venue.