Trixie Ortiguerra produced the biggest win so far after stunning two-time World Junior campaigner Heather White in Day 2 of the Philippine Aquatics-organized national tryouts for NCR on Saturday, Oct 14, at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Malate, Manila.
The 16-year-old Grade 10 student from Sto. Cristo Integrated School in Tarlac City beat out the Vietnam-based White in the girls 15-17 50m backstroke in a mad race, clocking 31.20 seconds.
White managed only 32.27 in the event serving as the final selection for the 44-man Philippine Team set to participate in the 11th Asian Age Group swimming championship slated Dec. 3-6 at the the New Clark Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.
“Masayang-masaya po ako, first time ko pong nakalaban sa backstroke si Heather (White), kaya nagulat ako kasi ang bilis niya kahit hindi talaga siya back stroker. Pasalamat lang ako at nakuha ko yung panalo and very hopeful ako na mapasama sa Philippine team after three years,” said Ortiguerra.
Ortiguerra’s win spoiled White’s back-to-back bid having dominated the girls 15-17 400m freestyle (4:35.57) in the opening day last Friday.
Sharing the limelight was Jamesrey Ajido, who streaked to his third win after topping the boys 12-14 class’ 200m Individual Medley (2:16.01). He earlier ruled the 200m freestyle (2:02.68) and 50m back (28.90).
Other noted junior tankers who claimed provisionary status were Arabella Taguinota in the girls 15-17 100m breaststroke (1:13.40), Chantelle Coleman in the girls 12-14 100m breast (1:19.82) and 50m breast (35.24), Kyla Louise Bulaga in the girls 12-14 200m IM (2:35.10), and Joshua Ramos in the Boys 18 & Over 50m back (27.79);
Peter Cyrus Dean in the boys 15-17 50m (27.74), Kacie Gabrielle Tionko in the girls 15-17 800m freestyle (10:03.51); Philip Santos in the boys 18-over 400m IM (4:52.68); Mishka Sy in the girls 18-over 400 IM (5:18.59); Patricia Santos in the girls 400m IM (5:19.23); Aishel Evangelista boys 12-14 400m IM (4:26.06), Thanya Dela Cruz in girls 18-over 50m breast (31.83) and Ashton Clyde Jose in the boys 12-14 50m breast (32.57).
