Ateneo’s Santos sets new RP pole vault mark

Mika Santos of Ateneo set a new Philippine record in winning the pole vault gold medal in the Hong Kong Inter-City Athletics Challenge staged last July 10.

Santos registered 3.20 meters, beating the previous Philippine best of 3.10 held by national team mainstay Maristela Torres.

Santos and teammate Stephanie Javellana were seeded fourth and sixth in the tournament but surprised the field with their superb performances. Their participation was made possible through Ateneo’s Office of the University President, the Ateneo de Manila University Athletics Office and the Ateneo Track and Field Alumni.

Javellana was fourth in the same event where three contenders from Hong Kong, another from China’s An Hui Track and Field team and two more from Chinese Taipei’s Team A also saw action.