Mojdeh, Esmero shatter PSL swim marks

MANILA, Philippines - Immaculate Heart of Mary College-Paranaque’s Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh and University of the Philippines Integrated School’s Charize Juliana Esmero broke four new records each in  the 87th Philippine Swimming League (PSL) National Series – eighth Sen. Nikki Coseteng Swimming Championship recently at the Diliman College swimming pool in Quezon City.

Mojdeh, an Indian Ocean All-Star Challenge Most Outstanding Swimmer awardee, notched new marks in the girls’ nine years 100-meter individual medley (IM) (1:20.96), 50m butterfly (34.89), 50m breaststroke (41.56) and 100m backstroke (1:24.90).

On the other hand, Esmero, the Japan Swimming Championship multi-gold medalist, smashed records in the girls’ 13 years 200m IM (2:38.03), 100m backstroke (1:10.05), 100m freestyle (1:05.84) and 200m backstroke (2:30.11).

“International exposures help a lot in improving the marks of our swimmers. The motivation is strong when you carry the flag of your country. It’s easy enough for them to apply locally what they learned from their international experience,” said PSL president Susan Papa.

Also sharing the spotlight were Kyla Soguilon (girls’ 11 100m freestyle, 1:05.65; 100m butterfly, 1:11.78; and 100m IM 1:16.89) and Aubrey Bermejo (girls’ 12 100m freestyle, 1:04.66; 100m buttefly, 1:13.65; and 200m freestyle, 2:20.93), who submitted records in their respective categories.

Nailing two records each were Jerard Dominic Jacinto (boys’ 200m back, 2:18.41; and 100m IM, 1:05.29), Ferdinand Ian Trinidad (boys’ 13 100m breaststroke, 1:16.80; and 200m butterfly 3:37.94), Marcus Faytaren (boys’ 14 200m back, 2:27.16; and 100m IM, 1:08.36), Adrienne Macapagal (boys’ 11 100m free, 1:11.59; and 100m fly, 1:19.21) and Estelle Mendez (girls’ 6-under 50m back, 51.15; and 100m back, 1:52.06).

The other record-breakers were Andrea Jheremy Pacheco (girls’ 15-over 100m breast), Aubrey Tom (girls’ 100m back), Heather White (girls’ 100m breast), Isabel Baclig (girls’ 100m breast), Carmenrose Matabuena (girls’ 15-over 200m fly), Morie Pabalan (boys’ 50m breast), Shella Ocampo (girls’ 200m fly), Hannah Sartorio (girls’ 200m fly), Ivo Enot (boys’ 9 100m back) and Juliana Villanueva (girls’ 11 200m fly).

Winning gold medals were Drew Benett Magbag, Aalia Jaire Espejo, Marie Joe Borres, Patricia Aguilar, Eirik Rivera, Charles Ticbaen, Nicolai Chiong, Sabrina Solosa, Jeremae Abainza, Joy Rodgers, McKiro Agbanlog, Jose Corpuz, Nigel Romey, Zab Eugenio, Chelsea Pastolero, Master Janda, Trump Luistro, Lee Grant Cabral, Juliana Villanueva, Jennuel De Leon, Timothy Bernal, Jux Solita, Althea Golimlim, Allyza Palermo and Ehm Alavy-Chafi.