By Kristel Satumbaga
ILAGAN, Isabela – Fil-American Alyana Nicolas hopes to prove her worth when she debuts in the 2019 Philippine National Athletics Championships which starts tomorrow at the City of Ilagan Sports Complex here.
The 24-year-old pole vaulter t is among 9 Fil-foreign athletes to watch in the three-day event which serves as one of the qualifiers for those who wish to become PH team members for the SEA Games late this year.
“I have no idea how strong the field is, but I’m excited to find out,” said Nicolas, who was born to Filipino parents in Quezon City but migrated to the United States when she was 10 years old.
She has a personal best of 3.95 meters.
Also out to make her presence felt in pole vault is another Fil-Am in Natalie Uy, a former varsity at the University of Michigan who trained in Spain.
Uy, also 24, has a personal best of 4.30m which she recorded last year. She did 4.20m in an event in the United States last January.
Her records are better than the existing SEA Games mark of 4.10m which Thailand’s Chayanisa Chomchuendee registered in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Games.
Also out to strut their wares are sprint champion Eric Cray, long jumper Donovant Arriola, Kristina Knott, twins Kyla and Kayla Richardson, Zion Corrales-Nelson and middle distance runner Carter Lily.
Pole vault champion EJ Obiena banners the local crew.
Thailand is out dominate the event once again.
