Out of hundreds comprising a total of 95 secondary education level teams, Xavier University high school student-athletes emerged winners of various ranks in different sports during the Mindanao leg of the 2016 Milo Little Olympics in Cagayan de Oro City from October 1 to 5.
The XU Junior and Senior High School Crusaders went through tough, action-packed competitions, held in various sports facilities in the city.
“We would like to thank and applaud all our XUJHS and XUSHS Crusaders varsity student-athletes and our coaches who participated in the 20th Milo Little Olympics. Congratulations for bringing honor to our Xavier alma mater and to our XUHS varsity athletics and sports program!" the XUHS Athletics Office said in a statement.
“We admire all of you for standing by our Jesuit athletic character of being courageous, sportsman-like, humble, and gracious in triumph or even in defeat. We are proud of you!”
Chess
In the chess tourneys, led by their fiery team captain Adrian Othniel Yulo (G10-Mayer), who was undefeated all throughout the competition, the XU boys team bested strong opponents from different schools in Northern Mindanao and came out victorious as champion after two grueling days of the chess tilt.
Joining Yulo were his fellow junior high school student-athletes Gian Patrick Espiritu (G10-Fernando) and Karl Francis Honculada (G9-Haggerty), and the lone senior high school student-athlete in the roster, young local chess standout Tristan Frech Ibaoc (G11-Boscovich).
In the other division, XUJHS Crusaders varsity chess girls team tied in the second and third places with another school. The members of the XU girls team were Venus Caress Banaag (G10-Fernando), Regina Gabrielle M Castrillo (G8-Southwell), Faith Beatriz O Fabre (G8-Ogilvie), and Shaina Grace C Garcia (G8-Campion).
Under the mentorship and coaching of Silverio Abasolo, the varsity chess boys and girls teams brought pride and honor to XU Junior and Senior High School.
(RELATED READ: XUHS Crusaders win chess championship at 20th Milo Little Olympics regional tourney)
Badminton
XUJHS badminton girls team landed on top 3 out of 24 participating teams. XU's badminton players Kirsten Zham G Ocladina (G8-Sanvitores) and Maxene Renee B Olango (Grade 8 – Arrowsmith), together with their head coach Ricky S Tadlip, received the bronze prize.
Senior high school students Robin Fernandez (G11-Daigler) and Angemel E Manubag (G11-De Aguilon) also got bronze medals in girl's badminton.
Swimming
The XUJHS swimming girls team ranked first in 4x100 freestyle relay, winning gold medals for Cecille Andrea M Mole (G8-Xavier), Geri Mae G Pon (G8-Jogues), Christianne F San Jose (G9-Faura), and head coach Jackie Neri.
Xavier’s Mole also reaped the bronze medal for 4x100 medley relay, still under Neri's coaching.
The XU Senior High School swimming girls team won the third place in the 4x100 medley relay. Members Tanya Ysabel L Barrero (G11-Becker), Michael Marie S Pareja (G11-De Acosta), and Kasmin Klee P Sogoc (G11-Boscovich) each received a bronze medal.
For the individual awards, XUSHS swimmer Tanya Ysabel L Barrero (G11-Becker) won the gold medal in 4x100 free style relay. She also garnered 4 bronze medals in 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle, and 200m butterfly stroke.
Another XUSHS student-athlete Kasmin Klee P Sogoc won a silver medal in 100m breast stroke.
The competitions were held at the Pelaez Sports Center.
Basketball
Meanwhile, the XU High School Milo Basketball Team won the 1st runner-up trophy in the MILO Best Center Philippines Interschool Basketball Tournament held at the Tablon Gymnasium.
This was the first time in over five years that the XUHS Crusaders team played in the championship finals of the said tournament.
The XUJHS and XUSHS student-athletes were:
Asio, Charles Brian O (G9-Dela Costa)
Balaba, Paul Andrei Y (G8-San Vitores)
Buray, Lino Emmanuel U (G10-Ruiz)
Carampatana, Clarence (G8-Palliola)
Du, Matthew Kenyon B (G11-Pesch)
Elot, Lance Nathaniel B (G9-Urios)
Escobar, Joseph Matthew D (G9-Cabonce)
Garcia, Henry Samuel (Gr 11-Javier)
Jao-jao, Jay Erickson D (G9-Demetrio)
Lim, Jess Michael C (G9-Hontiveros)
Mainit, Ervin James J (G9-Sedeño)
Mawile, Kurt Allen C (G10-Arrupe)
Pia, John Christian S (G10-Masterson)
Racines, Vinz Andre Racines (G8-De Brebeuf)
Ramos, Joseph D (G10-Mayer)
Ramos, Geo John B (G8-De Brebeuf)
Tan, Jan Patrick D 9 (G10-Alingal) - Team captain
Yasay, Christian Dale P (G8-Southwell)
(RELATED READ: XUHS Crusaders win big in Fr Saturnino Urios University basketball invitational games)
On October 1 and 2, XUJHS hosted the chess tournament and elementary volleyball games. Other playing venues of the Milo Little Olympics were MOGCHS for scrabble, Gusa Shuttle Square for badminton, Nazareth Lawn Tennis Club for elementary tennis (boys and girls), Westridge Sports Park for football, Corpus Christi gym for taekwondo and gymnastics, XU Grade School-Macasandig for sepak takraw and table tennis, XU Main for secondary volleyball and basketball, Nazareth covered court for elementary basketball, and LimKetKai second floor for arnis and karatedo. ∎