The Central Northern Luzon – CAR Swimming Coaches Association (CNLCSCA) in cooperation with the Pangasinan Swim Club and Speedo Philippines held the 54th CNLCSCA Invitational Swim Series on January 18 and 19 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center.
Pangasinan Sports Development and Management Council (PSDMC) Executive Director Modesto M. Operania who represented Governor Amado I. Espino III highlighted the province’s efforts to support the youth and sports.
“Kung gusto niyong ma-achieve ang inyong goal, kailangan niyo ng disiplina, respeto, at honor,” Executive Director. Operania told the 257 swimmers from north and central Luzon during the event’s opening ceremony.
CNLCSCA Chairman William Asturias also commended that state-of-the-art sports facilities of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan.
Four out of 20 teams who competed in the Swim Series were from the Province of Pangasinan namely, Pangasinan Swim Club, Urdaneta Aqua Bull Swim Team, Balon Dagupan Swim Team, and Bayambang Swim Team.
Teams from North and Central Luzon include Aquatic Spartan Swimming Team, Baguio Blu Waves Swim Team, Eagle Ray Swim Team, Gilas Dinalupihan Swim Team, Ichthus Swim Team Bataan, Ilocano Sharks Swim Team, Lighting Orcas Elyu Swim Team, Mabalacat City Flying Barracud, Manta Ray Swim Team, Nueva Ecija Aloha Swimming Team, Pampangan Black Marlins Swim Team, San Jose Galleon Swim Club, Tarlac Mako Sharks Swim Team, Thresher Sharks Swim Team, and Zamba Swim Team.
“Sumasama kami sa iba’t-ibang competitions para madala ng athletes sa swimming career nila. Continue to work hard on your dreams. Lagi kong pinapaalala na student-athlete kayo,” said Pangasinan Swim Club coach, Matthew Vinluan.
In addition, Vinluan stated that eight swimmers from Pangasinan Swim Club are set to compete in the coming Region 1 Athletics Association Meet which will start on February 20.
“I want to support my team and enjoy this experience,” said Janelle Lin, swimmer of Balon Dagupan Swim Team as she stated that discipline during training is needed to succeed in the sport.
It can be recalled that Lin is a bronze medalist for the 4×200 freestule relay category in the 43rd South East Asian Age (SEA Age) Group Championships held in Cambodia last year.
Francis Mark Salazar, a fourteen year-old ortho-amputated swimmer, also joined the Invitational Swim Series where he won gold in the following categories: 200m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 50m butterfly, 50 backstroke, and 50 freestyle.
The Over-all Championship was awarded to Mia Swim Team which garnered a total of 1, 284.50 points from their 277 entries.
Runner-ups in the over-all ranking are as follows (jn particular order): Balon Dagupan Swim Team (1, 237 points), Tarlac Mako Sharks Swim Team (928.50 points), Lighting Orcas Elyu Swim Team (889 ponts), Gilas Dinalupihan Swim Team (652 points), and Pangasinan Swim Club (558.50 points).
/Paula Jhea Sison
