Good start for Cebu tankers in Dinagyang swimfest

The University of Cebu-Cebu Blue Marlins Swimming Club hauled seven golds, eight silvers and eight bronzes at the start of the Iloilo Dinagyang Age-Group Swimfest 2008 at the Iloilo Sports Complex in Iloilo City yesterday.

Noel Cañeda of UC led Cebu’s surge with two golds in the boys 15-17 under 400m freestyle and 200m backstroke events. Anthony Linn Navarro, from the Cebu Eastern College, also had a two-gold medal spree, winning in the 200m freestyle and 100m backstroke in the boys 9-10 division.

The other golds were provided by Beth May Arellano in the 200m freestyle of the girls 9-10 category, Paul Abigail Vega in the 400m freestyle in the girls 15-17, and the team of Robin Jakobsen, Renan Tapang, Israel David and Anthony Linn Navarro, who topped the 4x50m freestyle in the boys 10-under.

Some of the silver medals were earned by Cañeda in the 50m backstroke of the boys 15-17 division, Jakobsen in the 50m breaststroke of the boys 10-under, Vega in the 50m and 200m backstroke and the girls 4x50m freestyle relay team.

Arlette Baller had three bronze medals, Biscocho earned two bronze medals, while Jakobsen, Jonas Chiong, Michael David Vega had one each to complete Cebu’s medal haul.

The UC-Cebu Blue Marlin Swimming Club is the only participant from Cebu in this PASA-sanctioned event joined by 10 other swimming clubs.— Caecent No-ot Magsumbol