Gonzales heads Speedo national swim winners

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City’s Anna Celina Gonzales, Anthony Navarro of Cebu and Jethro Chua of Cagayan de Oro dominated their respective events to bag the outstanding swimmer awards in the Speedo National Short Course Swimming Championships at the Philippine Center of Aquatic Excellence at the Trace Aquatic Complex in Los Baños, Laguna recently.

The 17-year-old Gonzales topped the 50m fly in 28.91 seconds and ruled the 200m fly in 2:24.55 and finished with 61 points in the girls 15-and-over division while Navarro, 12, reigned in the 100m IM (1:11.53), 200m back (2:34.78) and 100m back (1:09.39) worth 57 points.

The 14-year-old Chua, on the other hand, prevailed in the 400m free (4:14:48), 100m free (54.76) and 200m free (2:56.44) for 57 points in the three-day event backed by Speedo Phils. in partnership with the Philippine Aquatic Sports Association.

National team mainstays and Youth Olympic Games veterans Jasmine Alkhaldi and Jessie Lacuna and Banjo Borja and Joboy Gonzales also lorded it over the field in their respective events in the meet which drew more than 450 entries from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Also winning the most outstanding awards were (11-year-old class) Nicole Pamintuan (61 points) and Jose Arcilla (59 points); (12-year-old) Catherine Bondad (63 points); (13-year-old) Roxanne Yu (61 points) and Rafael Sta. Maria (54 points); (14-year-old) Ariana Herranz (63 points); (15-year-old) Lea Martinez (42 points) and Fahad Alkhaldi (45 points); (16-year-old) Hannah Dato (54 points) and Axel Ngui (42 points); (17-year-old) Jose Gonzalez (58 points); and (18-year-old) Christine Hipol (22 points) and Banjo (57 points).

Luzon also stamped its class in team competition with Ayala Harpoons Swim Club finishing on top with 579 points. Lake City Swim Club stood just one point behind with 578 while PCA Stingrays Swim Club came in third with 432.50 points.

VVCC Aqua Lasers Swim Club placed fourth with 420 points followed by San Pablo Mantas Swim Team (285), Ace Seawolves Swim Club (271), Alabang Gators Swim Club (254), Elisabeth Seton Swim Team (195), QCSC Buccaneers (182) and Cebu Blue Marlin Swim Club (181) in that order.