Cebuano student-athletes make waves in Ironman

CEBU, Philippines - Three young Cebuano student-athletes made Cebu proud when they were declared champions in the mixed relay division of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines last Sunday at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

The Cebu Students MultiSport Team composed of junior cyclist 18-year old Luis Miguel "Igimax" Maximo of Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), 20-year-old swimmer Loren Dale Echavez and 19-year old runner RJ Lao, both of University of San Carlos (USC), bagged the first place honors with a total time of five hours, three minutes and 59 seconds, besting a tough field of 45 teams including second placer Team Almond of USA and third placer Clear Sabak of Manila.

The feat made them as the only Cebuanos to bag a championship title in the regular age-group, relay or Filipino elite divisions of the international event that attracted more then 2,150 entries from 35 countries across six continents. They were also the youngest relay team in the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run triathlon race.

What made the victory even sweeter was that the team, which almost didn't make it due to lack of funds, was formed based on the following conditions: the athlete should be a student who is doing well in school and should be a Cebuano. The criteria somehow handicapped the team in selecting other elite athletes from other places who maybe faster or stronger than them but are non-students.

"We organized the team not really to win but to promote the advocacy of being a student-athlete. It's not easy to be a student and an elite athlete at the same time. It takes a lot of your time. But with commitment and perseverance it can be done. Being able to experience the highly popular Ironman event was a reward. The unexpected win was just a bonus," shared the 2-time SAC awardee and YKK rider Igi Maximo.

When asked if they will defend their title next year, the team has no definite plans yet. All they want for now is to go back to their schools. Loren Dale is a graduating 4th year student of BS Biology in USC, Luis Miguel will be back in Manila for his 2nd year Information Design (ID) course in Ateneo. while RJ will be in USC as a 2nd year student of Mechanical Engineering.

But one thing is for sure, and that is for one whole year the Cebu Students MultiSport Team of Igimax, Loren and RJ will enjoy the bragging rights as the no. 1 mixed relay team of the 2013 Ironman 70.3 Philippines.

Study hard, race harder. That the way they portray the life of a student-athlete. (PR) (FREEMAN)