VISSA makes a splash in HK swimfest

CEBU, Philippines - The Visayas Integrated Schools Swimming Association (VISSA) bagged two golds, five silvers and eight bronzes in this year's edition of the Stingray International Invitational Swim Meet at the Hong Kong International School’s Tai Tam Campus.

Loren Dale Echavez of the University of San Carlos, who saw action only in the final day of competition due to the delay in the delivery of her passport, made sure her trip to Hong Kong was worthwhile by hauling gold in the girls 15-above 50m freestyle.

Ray Listr Tungala, also of USC, produced VISSA's second gold through the boys 200m butterfly event.

Echavez also won silver in the girls 200m freestyle relay alongside her sister Ara Denise and siblings Bianca and Rozelle Diaz.

Rozelle Diaz added silver in the 200m butterfly, while Ara Denise handed over three bronzes through the 50m and 100m breast stroke and 50m freestyle.

Cynthune Goden, another USC bet, plucked two silvers in the 100m and 200m breast stroke and two bronzes from the 200m individual medley and 200m backstroke.

Two VISSA members from other places also went home with medals - Jocelyn Roi Cho of Bacolod with a silver in the 8-under 100m freestyle and a bronze in the 50m butterfly and University of Bohol’s Rian Marco Tirol with a bronze in the boys 9-10 50m breast stroke. – THE FREEMAN