Familiar faces emerged victorious at the start of the Philippine Aquatics-organized national tryouts for NCR on Friday, Oct. 13, at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Malate, Manila
Vietnam-based Filipino-British Heather White and Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh reigned in their respective classes to secure ‘provisionary ‘status for the 44-man Philippine team to the 11th Asian Age Group Championships slated Dec. 3-6 at the New Clark Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.
The 16-year-old White, swimming under the Behrouz Elite Team, topped the girls 15-17 400m freestyle after clocking 4:35.57, almost four seconds ahead of second placer Fei Dolliente of San Beda (4:48.92).
The 17-year-old Mojdeh topped the 200m individual medley in 2:25.37. Promising Kacie Tiongco, 14, from Mindanao, placed second (2:32.00).
“I’m very happy with my performance. I just arrived the other day so don’t have a chance to practice more. Just lucky got the chance to train abroad before our stint in the World Junior meet last month,” said White, who along with Mojdeh, trained for months in the US before the World Junior Championship in Israel.
“Actually po, mas magaan ang loob ko pag local tournaments dahil masaya akong nakikita yung mga teammates ko at mga kapwa ko swimmers. Sa US talagang training hard kami halos tatlong beses sa isang araw,” added Mojdeh.
SEA Games gold medalist Chloe Isleta claimed the girls 18-over 200 M freetsyle (2:04.57) and the 200mIM (2:17.62) while SEA Age group veteran Jamesray Ajido triumphed in the boys 12-14 200m freestyle (2:01.21).
Other big winners for the day were Miguel Barreto, who stamped his class in the boys 18-over 200m free (1:53.11) and 200m IM (2:13.24); Arabella Taguinota, who ruled the girls 15-17 100m breaststroke (1:13.40) and Chantelle Coleman, who ruled the girls 12-14 100m breast (1:19.82).
The top two swimmers in every event will be considered for berths in the Philippine team.
