ALTHOUGH the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) track and field season is still months away, the UST Tracksters are already preparing for the big event by participating in tune-up matches and doing heavy recruitment in anticipation of another competitive season in December.
Both the men’s and women’s teams are currently playing in the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA)-Colgate Weekly Relays held every Saturday at the Rizal Memorial track oval.
The event, which started last July 20 and will run until October, also features other UAAP and NCAA track and field teams who will test the Tiger Tracksters’ mettle.
UST boasts of a more solid and competent line-up this season with its acquisition of promising rookies from different parts of the country. The team has successfully infused into its line-up notable stand-outs from the Palarong Pambansa last April.
Added into the team’s roster are Palarong Pambansa 110-meter high hurdles gold medalist Glenn Archangel, 400-meter hurdles gold medalist Jan Broncillo and 100- meter dash gold medalist Marvin Lee Sarandona.
Top sprinter Kenneth Villanueva has also returned to the Tiger’s fold after sitting out the past season for his commitments to the Philippine Air Force. Comebacking Noel Ricamunda, on the other hand, is again expected to rule the long distance 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter runs.
Expected to lead the men’s team are reigning UAAP triple jump gold medalist Allan Basco and team captain Jo-Ar Calvadores, last year’s UAAP 800-meter dash gold medalist.
Meanwhile, the UST Lady Tracksters have also infused new blood into their line-up by recruiting rookies Andrea Mendoza and Charmei Cavale to fill the void left by Isidora Daguinod and Morena Gestiada, who graduated last year.
Mendoza will be fielded in the 100-meter hurdles while Cavale will be tested in the sprints competition.
Last year’s UAAP 100-meter dash gold medalist Leslie Cercado will lead the Lady Tracksters in defending their first-place finish last season.
UST Tracksters coach Manny Calipes expressed great optimism for both the men’s and women’s teams.
“Well-balanced ang men’s team ngayon, at halos lahat ng events may magaling na representative,” said Calipes.
The mentor also stressed the solid line-up of the men’s team and said that it was the first time in several years that he had such a strong line-up.
“Solid ang seniors, at ang mga new recruits maaasahan,” he said.
On the other hand, Calipes noted that the strength of the Lady Tracksters will be in the sprints and throwing events.
Based on the current line-up, Calipes expects the Male Tracksters to be the top-seeded team this coming UAAP season. He gave the Lady Tracksters a good chance of defending their title despite the heavy reinforcement of other teams such as University of the East and De La Salle University. Patrick Leonard M. Mayo
Hi Varsitarian! my name is Jake Roxas, an alumni of UST. I am also an athlete representing our University in the UAAP track and Field in junior division. My purpose in writing is to seek help in establishing contact on the graduate Track and field varsity for some business.
please send your reply to jake.runner@yahoo.com. will appreciate your help.
thanks
Jake