Splashing start for USC tankers

The swimmers of the University of San Carlos (USC) took off to a splashing start in the swimming event of the 23rd Cebu City Olympics yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center’s (CCSC) Aquatic Center.

The USC tankers snared a total of 20 golds, 12 silvers and seven bronze medals to dominate the opening day of the event. Rival school University of Cebu (UC) kept in step with the Warriors as the Webmasters plucked a total of eight golds, five silvers and six bronze medals to stay at second place.

The opening ceremony of the annual school-based multi-sporting event fires off today at the CCSC while swimming action resumes tomorrow at the same venue.

Leading the cast of USC’s gold medal harvest were Kyle Nemil, Alfeo Vallespin and Tara Kyle Ebon, who snared three first place finishes each. Gil Anton Talisaysay also contributed two golds for the Warriors.

Nemil snared his first gold after he ruled the boys’ 13-above 800-meter freestyle event in 10 minutes and 32.21. His second and third titles came in the boys’ 13-above 100-meter freestyle (1:17.89) and the 400-meter freestyle (4:56.03) events.

Vallespin won the top prizes in the boys’ 12-under 100-meter breaststroke (1:32.98), 50-meter breaststroke (41.61) and 200-meter idividual medley (3:13.73), while Ebon’s three gold medals came in the girls’ 12-under 100-meter freestyle (1:17.89), 400-meter freestyle (6:03.16) and 200-meter IM (3:13.73).

Talisaysay ruled the boys’ 12-under 100-meter freestyle (1:11.23) and the 400-meter freestyle (5:52.19).

The Webmasters were carried by 13-year-old Karen Mae Indaya, who accounted for three of UC’s total gold production, and Danielle Ballesteros, who plucked two gold medals.

Indaya’s first gilt came in the girls’ 13-above 800-meter freestyle event (10:34.56) while her other two golds came from the 400-meter freestyle (5:11.98) and the 200-meter IM (2:49.30).

Ballesteros won the golds in the girls’ 13-above 100-meter breaststroke (1:27.91) and the 200-meter breaststroke (3:05.00).

Other gold medalists for USC were Maria Aaliyah Biagan (girls’ 12-Under 100-meter breaststroke and 50-meter breaststroke ), Junvic Tiro (boys’ 13-Above 100-meter breaststroke and 200-meter breaststroke ), the girls’ 12-under 400-meter free relay team, the boys’ 13-above 400-meter free relay team, the boys’ 12-Under 400-meter medley relay team, the girls’ 12-under 400-meter medley relay team and the boys’ 13-above 400-meter Medley Relay team.

FOOTBALL

Football competition also started yesterday with the Paref-Springdale scoring a lopsided 18-0 victory over Center for International Education (CIE).

Springdale’s elementary division booters, however, suffered a 2-3 setback against Sacred Heart School, 2-3.

Also eking out wins in the opener were Talamban, which downed CIE, 6-0, in the elementary division; and Abellana National High School, which kicked out University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R), 8-0, in the secondary division.