Female Tracksters eye 4th title

THE UST Female Tracksters are set to open their title-retention bid, eyeing to become only the second team in UAAP women’s track and field history to reap four-consecutive crowns since powerhouse Far Eastern University (FEU) did it thrice in 1990, 1999 and 2014.

“Walang graduates kaya walang makuha. ‘Yung mga natira sa atin na manlalaro, nagdagdag na ng events because they are willing to sacrifice anything just to make sure that we keep the title this year,” Female Trackstershead coach Manny Calipes told the Varsitarian.

In Season 65, the Female Tracksters had a chance to win their fourth-straight title but got dethroned by the University of the East (UE).

This year, Calipes said the players were as determined as ever after initiating training sessions even on holidays to keep their conditioning at the maximum in time for the UAAP.

“Continuous ang ensayo, kahit Pasko o bagong taon,nandito kami. Sila nagsabi sa akin na mas gusto nila mag-training,” said Calipes. “We have more than 50 percent chances for a four-peat. Kapag champion ka, everyone wants to beat you.”

The multi-titled coach also listed FEU, UE and theUniversity of the Philippines, which have been training twice a day, as constant hurdles in the Female Tracksters’ title bid.

UST’s athletics program also enabled a recovery period from October to February that kept the Female Trackstersin tiptop shape on and off the season.

Other than the daily conditioning in the UST field, the team also works out at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Sundays and cross-train through intercollegiate sports events and fun runs.

“Cooperative lahat kaya hindi tayo tulad ng iba nanagmamadali. Every year may improvement [and] for the past years UST is dominating with gold medals and resetting the records. Malakas ang legs nila, we will maximize their potential,” Calipes said.

In Season 79, the Female Tracksters broke two UAAP records courtesy of Luz Delfin (hammer throw) and Sarah Dequinan (heptathlon). 

Calipes is confident the team will have a solid place in all events despite being undermanned in the long distance and throwing categories.

Team captain Dequinan also urged her teammates to enjoy the competitions.

“Sinasabihan ko po sila na dapat masaya tayo at mahalinnatin ang ginagawa natin,” Dequinan said.

Last October, the Female Tracksters reigned supreme in the 2017 Unigames and collected 16 gold medals in the women’s division.

The Female Tracksters will have an intact lineup this year, with team captain Sarah Dequinan, veteran players Janine Mansueto, Aira Teodosio, Rosnani Pamaybay and Season 79 Most Valuable Player Louielyn Pamatian still playing.

Last season, the Female Tracksters garnered 490 points through an 11-11-8 gold-silver-bronze medal haul.