THE UST Female Tracksters have had a hard time recruiting new players to join the team due to “dirty tricks” pulled off by rival schools, but their head coach said they were still able to collect promising talents to augment their title defense.
Manny Calipes, head coach of the Female Tracksters, said the recruitment of players faced obstacles due to other schools spreading false information that the academic requirements of the school impede student-athletes from excelling.
“They try to play dirty tricks with me, nasa lineup na natin, biglaang nawawala pa,” he told the Varsitarian. “Parang ‘yung sa other events, akala mo sa inyo na then biglang nawala pa…lalo na kapag sinasabi na ‘kapag sa UST ka pumasok, hindi ka makaka-graduate doon.’”
In spite of the recruitment challenges, Calipes said the team’s recent success has generated enthusiasm among young athletes, prompting them to express eagerness to join the team.
“Nagsasalita na lang ‘yung performance namin,” he said. “Kapag winning ka, other athletes from different provinces, different regions, they’d want to join, they’d want to learn and experience ano bang ginagawa natin dito.”
Incoming rookies Jeanne Arnibal, Leslie de Lima, Jash Duhaylungsod, Kate Martinez, Mailene Pamisaran, Azeneth Serat, and Shieky Supremo were all recruited to help the team forge a new era of dominance.
Assistant coach Aya Andrade expects these rookies to match the efforts given by departing athletes which include Jie Anne Calis, the reigning 1500-meter champion and girls’ 800-meter, 1500-meter and 3000-meter girls’ record holder, as well as 300-meter steeplechase bronze medalist Edralene Celestial and former gold medalist Efrelyn Democer.
“Lagi ko silang nireremind na tumulong sa team,” she told the Varsitarian. “Hindi porket na rookie sila, iyong bibigay lang nilang effort or points is ‘yung basta-basta lang..Gusto ko na mag-mature na ‘yung mindset nila na kailangan may ambag sila sa team.”
Last season’s record-breakers Lianne Pama (100-meter, 200-meter) and Jamela de Asis are returning, alongside medalists Khrizzie Ruzol, Leonalyn Raterta, Camila Tubiano, Jessa Jarder, and team captain Justine Catindoy.
Super rookie
Arnibal, the Season 85 girls’ MVP, is anticipated to be one of the standouts in the rookie class.
Last season, she broke the UAAP girls’ triple jump record, previously held by former UST Trackster Anna Sinconiegue, with 11.66 meters to win gold. She also topped the 100-meter hurdles, long jump, high jump, and 4×100-meter relay events en route to the MVP plum.
She also represented the Philippines in the 20th Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Korea from June 4 to 7.
Calipes said he kept a close eye on Arnibal since last year and expects the rookie to be a key contributor across many events.
“Kahit ‘di siya mag gold, tri-event athlete e. Marunong siya mag hurdles…’yung kaya niya last year at noong (buong) high school nasa level na ng college,” he said.
Arnibal said that she is looking to add heptathlon—a seven-event competition that consists of running, jumping and throwing events—to her already long list of events she plays in.
Arnibal said the pressure of contributing and playing at a higher level has been overwhelming.
“Siyempre nape-pressure ako, nag-perform ako nang maayos last season so parang alam ko naman na nag-eexpect sila nang mas maayos na performance ko ngayong season,” she said. “Medyo nakaka-pressure talaga kasi iba na ‘yung labanan sa college.”
“Ang goal ko ulit ay makuha Rookie of the Year award, kahit hindi MVP ngayong season kasi alam ko na iba talaga labanan dito,” she said. “Basta makapag-provide muna ako ng puntos para makatulong sa team.”
The UST Female Trackers will kickstart their UAAP Season 86 women’s athletics campaign tomorrow, Nov. 22, at the PhilSports Track Oval in Pasig.
