CEBUANO junior triathletes Ralph So and Aaliyah Ricci Mataragnon held their own against racers twice their age as they finished second overall in their first-ever sprint distance race in the Triathlon Sa Maasin City 2013 yesterday.
The 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike ride and five-kilometer run only had two categories—the 34-Under and the 35-Above.
So finished second overall in the 34-Under male division while Mataragnon mirrored that feat in the distaff side. Both are still 13 years old.
So trailed eventual champion Emmanuel Commendador, a veteran triathlete, in all three phases of the sport.
Mataragnon came out fourth in the swimming behind eventual champion Aimee Dequina and another Cebuana Cianyl Jamae Gonzales.
She pulled ahead of Gonzales in the bike ride and held on to the second place behind Dequina.
Finishing third in the male division was Jezam Baldomar, fourth place was Jonas Tan and Andy Toniacao salvaged fifth place.
Fourth and fifth placers in the distaff side were Odiza Abellana and Hazel Busa. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON