University of Mindanao dominated the 86th Araw ng Dabaw Athletics Festival 2023 held over the weekend at the UM track oval.
The UM tracksters were simply ahead of their class in both the men’s and women’s division capturing a total of 14 golds — 9 in the women’s category and five more in the men’s category.
UM’s Bernadette Mendiola carried the fight for the Wildcats as she scored a double-gold performance winning the and women’s long jump and triple jump events. Mendiola leaped to a distance of 5.16 meters to win the women’s long jump. Jane Mecailla of Bukidnon Sprinters (5.07m) was second followed in third by Rosemarie Olorvida of Leyte (4.76m).
Mendiola came back later to record 10.33 meters to rule the women’s triple jump. Olorvida (9.99m) and Hope Charity Cabuhayan (9.97) finished second and third, respectively.
The other gold medalists for UM were Princes Mae Pudy (javelin throw), Lyka Catubog (10,000 meter walk), Darling Baguisan (long jump), Johnny Meder (400-meter run), and the quartet of Meder, Adrian Cabacang, Jaked Villaluz, and Dharlie Baguisan (4x100meter relay).
Pudy threw a distance of 37.2m to bag the women’s javelin throw while Catubig ruled the 10,000m walk at 47:42.23.
In the men’s event, UM’s Darling Baguisan recorded the best jump of 6.56m. Second was USEP’s Ian Villegas (6.52m) followed by Villanueva’s Ridel Patayan (6.42m). Meder clocked 52:45 to win the men’s 400m. Apo’s Vince Dabalos (53:44) was second followed by Joselito Hapitan (53:90) of Southeast Asia Institute of Technology Inc.
The UM quartet of Meder, Adrian Cabacang, Jake Villaluz and Dharlie Baguisam clocked 43.52 to win the 4x100m.
Nathaniel Kian Jumilla of Smile Suralla and Mary Jane Pagayon of Davao City NHS emerged as the top athletes in the boys and girls’ division.
UM bagged the overall team title in the seniors category after amassing 5 golds, 6 silvers, and 2 bronze in the men’s division, and 9 golds, 9 silvers, and 5 bronze in the women’s division to claim the top of the table.
The medalists in the men’s division are UM’s Dharlie Baguisan (gold, 100m, long jump), Johnny Meder (silver, 200m; gold, 400m), Andrean Cabacang (bronze, 200m), Kenneth Alipan (silver, 400m hurdles), Andre Cada (bronze, 800m), Fritz Lantaco (silver, 1500m, 5000m, 10,000m), Keay Sismar (silver, 2000m walk), Jake Villaluz, Andrean Cabacang, Dharlie Baguisan and Johnny Meder (gold, 4x100m relay), and Kenneth Alipan, Andrean Cabacang, Ej Sanchez and Johnny Meder (gold, 4x400m relay.
Also in the women’s category are Bernadette Mendiola (silver, 100m, gold, Long Jump & Triple Jump), Angeline Reponte (silver, 200m & bronze, 400m), Cris Garcia (bronze, 200m), Andrea De Guia (silver, 400m), Angelica Villanueva (gold, 400m hurdles & bronze, 800m), Kate Mcdowell (silver, 800m, 1500m & 3000m), Lyka Catubig (gold, 2000m walk, 5000m & 10,000m), Sharoh Marcojos (silver, 2000m walk), Princess Pudy (gold, Javelin Throw), Sophia Bangunan (silver, Discuss Throw & Shot Put), Meah Joy Bagay (bronze, Discuss Throw & Shot Put), Angeline Reponte, Cris Garcia, Bea Burbe and Bernadette Mendiola (gold, 4x100m relay), and Angeline Reponte, Angelica Villanueva, Kate Mcdowell and Andrea De Guia (gold, 4:400m relay). | via Clifford James L. Danduan; (PR)
