In a sport where long limbs matter, trackster Maryjoy Loberanis is a literal midget in the company of giants. But what she lacks in size, she compensates with sheer will and a big heart.
The 11-year old crushed taller opponents in amassing five gold medals to help the University of San Carlos-Basic Education Department (USC-BED) rule the elementary division in the recent 18th Milo Little Olympics.
It was a scintillating run for the USC-BED athletes who scored a twin kill after also pocketing the secondary division crown, the first time since the inception of the Nestle-backed multi-sporting event that the division was won by a school not named University of Cebu (UC).
“My opponents are bigger but I just do my best. I train hard to improve my speed,” said the pint-sized Maryjoy.
More than wanting to prove that size isn’t all that matters, Maryjoy’s mother Teresita revealed her daughter’s other motivation to win big.
Last April 19, a fire swept through a portion of barangay Camputhaw, Cebu City razing 13 houses and leaving at least 50 individuals homeless including the Loberanises.
The fire also took away precious mementos close to the young athlete’s heart.
“She was really very sad because the medals she got from previous competitions were destroyed by the fire,” her mother said.
The unfortunate incident may have caused so much devastation on Maryjoy but it also stoked her desire to become a stronger and faster trackster.
“After that incident, I encouraged her to train harder so she could replace the medals that were damaged by the fire,” Teresita said.
Toughened up by months of training, Maryjoy bravely faced the challenges in the Milo Olympics determined to make the sports meet her launching pad to rise from the ashes. After two weekends of intense competition, it was mission accomplished for Maryjoy.
She shamed her bigger opponents, winning gold medals in the 400-meter, 800m and 1,500m runs as well as in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays.
It was like hitting two birds with one stone for the rising athletics star: her productive harvest replaced the medals she lost in the fire and ended a string of heart-breaking finishes in the annual competition.
According to Maryjoy, she started competing in the Milo Olympics in 2010 but never had the chance to win a gold medal. She often settled for either silver or bronze.
“I was never discouraged. It even drove me to train harder,” Maryjoy said.
“After school, she proceeds to practice. That’s seven days a week,” Teresita said.
EARLY START
Maryjoy was still in pre-school when she showed interest in the sport. Not surprising for someone born to athletics-inclined parents. Her mom and dad met at the University of San Jose-Recoletos where they are former members of the athletics team. Teresita’s brother, John Mier, is a member of the country’s cycling team.
“I want to follow in my uncle’s footsteps. I want to be a member of the national team. That’s my ultimate dream as an athlete,” Maryjoy said.
Maryjoy used to compete for the Lahug Elementary School from Grades 1 to 3 before she was recruited by USC-BED, thus, forming a tandem with her father Arvin, the coach of the school’s athletics team.
Arvin said that during training, they have the usual coach-athlete relationship.
“When it comes to training, I am really strict with her. But I have no problem with her as an athlete. Training-wise, I admire her work ethic. I am really impressed with her and her performance in the Milo Olympics was the prize of the hard work she put in,” Arvin said.
Becoming a top athlete is extremely physically demanding but Arvin is confident his daughter can cope.
“I know her capacity. I am not worried because she loves what she’s doing and no one forced her to become what she is now. She is really passionate with what she does so I’m confident she can handle the grueling training,” he said.
“I keep telling her that the key to improve is to always try to beat her personal time. Defeats should not stop her since it is through losing where we will know where we fell short in our preparation,” Arvin said.
While they aspire for their daughter’s success in sports, Teresita and Arvin make it a point to always remind their daughter not to take her studies for granted.
JUGGLING SPORTS AND ACADEMICS
“We know being a student-athlete is not easy. As much as we want her to excel as an athlete, we also remind her to do good in her studies,” Teresita said.
So far, Maryjoy is juggling academics and sports well.
As a Grade 5 pupil, she belongs to the “star section” composed of 32 pupils who are averaging a grade of not lower than 86 in every subject.
“It is a big help for us that she is a full scholar at USC-BED. She really has to maintain high grades. The school is really strict when it comes to the athletes’ academic performance. Even if you are one of the top athletes, you will not be allowed to compete anymore if you have low grades,” said Teresita, a member of the USC faculty.
Teresita credited the school and the teachers for giving full support to their athletes.
“The teachers are always there to look after the athletes and even offer free tutorials when the need arises,” Teresita said.
Gazing back with smoldering pride at Maryjoy, Arvin and Teresita smile at the thought that flames may wipe out their material possessions, but not the grit and fortitude of their little Milo champion.