Cebu City Niños sizzle on Day 1

Tagbilaran City, Bohol—The Cebu City Niños underscored their intention of retaining the overall championship in the 2011 Central Visayas Regional Athletics Association (CVIRAA) meet by raking in 23 gold medals in yesterday’s start of hostilities at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex, here.

The swimmers accounted for 19 of the gilts while the rest were contributed by members of the track and field team.

The highest contributor in  swimming  were the elementary girls team, which accounted for a total of eight gold medals. Their boys counterparts added three gilts.

The secondary boys accumulated six and the rest were added by the secondary girls.

The gold medal haul of the elementary girls was led by Karen Mae Indaya, who bagged three via the 200-meter freestyle, 200m Individual Medley (IM) and 400m freestyle.

The other gilts were clinched by Leanne Mancira in the 50m backstroke, Lyh Ann Navarro in the 100m butterfly and Annita Monterola in the 100m breaststroke.

The elementary girls relay teams also ruled the 4×50 medley relay and 4×100 freestyle relay.

The 4×50 medley relay team was manned by Mancira, Monterola, Navarro and Indaya while the 4×100 freestyle relay team was comprised of Tara Kayla Ebon, JamaimaSembrano, Lanjieline Hermoso and Rhoida Macawili.

The elementary boys gold medals were bagged by Brian Minerva in the 50m backstroke and Matthew Anjelou Caneda in the 200 IM.

Its 4×100 relay team composed of Caneda, Jonas Chiong, Christante Veloso and Minerva also fetched a gold.

Anthony Linn Navarro and Keith Ocampo each added two gilts in the secondary boys. Navarro ruled the 200m IM and 200m backstroke while Ocampo dominated in the 200m and 400m freestyle.

The remaining gilts were notched by its relay teams. Manning the 4×50 medley relay team were Navarro, Cynthjune Goden, Ichiro Kong and Ray Lester Tungala while the 400×100 relay team was powered by Nicholas Chiong, Kyle Nemil, Kurt Ebon and Ocampo.

Beth May Arellano added a gold, which she won in the 100m butterfly event.

The remaining gilt was bagged by the secondary girls 4×100 freestyle relay team manned by April Goden, Karen Ocampo, Keisha Candia and Raziel Kabajar.

Athletics

In athletics, two of the gold medals were clinched by the elementary boys via Allan Jay Sy Cartuciano, who dominated the shot put event, and John Marvin Rafols, who ruled the long jump.

The other two gilts were accounted for by secondary girls’ Stella Marris Malingin in the long jump and Vera Rose Saragena in the shot put.

The Niños also advanced in boxing with Christian John Casanares earning a quarterfinal seat after defeating Bayawan City’s Ace Christian Tapis.

Football

In football, both the Niños’ elementary and secondary teams posted victories in the single round robin eliminations.

The elementary team routed Lapu-Lapu City, 12-0. Scorers were Agustin Rafael Roa with five goals; Thomas Glen Ramos with four; Jon Joseph Rena with two and Ryan James Haosen with one.

Its secondary team outsmarted Lapu-Lapu City, 4-0. Scorers were Nicholas Villacin (3) and Jay Arizabal.