PSL swimmers set AAAA norms

MANILA, Philippines - Swimmers of the Philippine Swim League hit quadruple A marks as they led the assault on the record books in the 48th staging of the PSL Swim Series last weekend in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Charize Esmero, 10, clocked 2:31.97 in the 200m freestyle and 36.87seconds in the 50m butterfly to breach the AAAA American motivational standard in her age group. Also meeting the AAAA norm were 12-year-old Raphael Barreto with 2:08.84 in the 200m freestyle and 28.73 seconds in the 50m butterfly, where he was joined by 12-year-old Sean Terence Zamora (28.69) and McTracy Alindogan (28.49).

The meet drew 50 swimming teams from Bicol, Bulacan, Baguio, Bataan, Batangas, Quezon Province, Isabela, Rizal, Aklan, Zambales, Angeles, Cavite City, Marikina, Navotas, Pasay, Parañaque, Quezon City, Muntinlupa, Lucena and Laguna.

Priscila Loren Aquino, 16, ruled the 200m freestyle in 2:14.56 and the 50m butterfly in 30.50 seconds – also AAAA norms.

Other AAAA marks were set by Lans Donato, 14, (28.40 seconds, 50m  butterfly) and UAAP star Claire Adorna of the University of the Philippines (2:10.75, 200m butterfly and 29.53 seconds, 50m butterfly).

“The swimmers are tremendous. A few months ago they were surpassing AAA’s and now they are aiming for the quadruple A,” said PSL  president Susan Papa, who added that the PSL would waive registration fees next month for all record-breakers.