USC, UC set early pace in CESAFI swimming event

CEBU, Philippines – The University of San Carlos and University of Cebu took the lead in their respective divisions in the 2014 Cebu Schools Athletic Federation, Inc. swimming competition at the Cebu City Sports Center.

USC claimed 19 out of the 21 golds at stake in the tertiary division. UC snared one gold, three silvers and seven bronzes while University of the Visayas gathered 13 silvers with two bronzes.

The ever reliable Keith Ocampo spearheaded USC’s campaign with three gold medals through the 200, 400 and 1,500m freestyle events.

The Echavez sisters Loren Dale and Ara Denise nabbed two gold medals apiece as Loren dominated the 400m freestyle and 200m individual medley, while  Ara stopped the  50m and 100m breast stroke.

The other gold medal contributors for USC were Cynthjun Goden through the 100m breast stroke, Pia Cardinal in the 200m freestyle, Lister Tungala in the 50m butterfly, Myles Chi in the 200m backstroke, Lorenzo Abello in the 200m individual medley and Mikael Lorete in the 100m butterfly. USC also fished out four gilts from the relay competition.

UC’s Bethmay Arellano and UV’s Shane Camille Pacabis prevented their respective schools from a gold medal shutout. Arellano ruled the 50m butterfly event, while Pacabis topped the 200m backstroke.

In the secondary division, however, UC upstaged USC with an opening day haul of eight gold medals, five silvers and three bronzes. USC posted a 5-6-6 gold-silver-bronze medal tally followed by Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu with 3-2-3.

Michael Ichiro Kong, who is in his final year in high school, scooped  three golds for UC via the 200m freestyle, 200m individual medley and 100m butterfly event. Karen Mae Indaya snatched two golds through the 200m individual medley and 200m backstroke after being outsmarted earlier by USC’s Lyn Ann Navarro in the 200m and 400m freestyle.

UC also grabbed the gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay, while Shane Pajera and Rafael Dacalcal dominated the 100m breast stroke and 200m backstroke, respectively.

Aside from Navarro’s golden double, USC also snared golds through Junvic Tiro in the 100m breaststroke,  Razel Cabazar in the 100m butterfly and in the boys 4x100m medley relay.

SHS-AdC had three golds through the boys and girls 4x100m freestyle relay and Johann Tubesa in the 400m freestyle. (FREEMAN)