Dula rips two marks in PSL swim

MANILA, Philippines - Wisenheimer Academy standout Marc Bryan Dula nailed two new marks to lead the list of record breakers on the opening day of the 83rd Philippine Swimming League (PSL) National Series yesterday at the Diliman College swiming pool in Quezon City.

Dula, a Most Outstanding Swimmer awardee in the  Singapore Invitational Swimming Championship, submitted one minute, 31.06 seconds in the boys’ 8 years 100-meter individual medley (IM), smashing the 1:31.18 mark of Michael Lozada.

The eight-year-old Dula continued to impress in the 25m butterfly as he registered 16.95 seconds, breaking his own record of 17.23.

Veteran international campaigners Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh of Immaculate Heart of Mary College-Parañaque (girls’ 9 years 50m butterfly, 36.37), Charize Esmero of University of the Philippines Integrated School (girls’ 50m backstroke, 31.68), Lans Rawlin Donato of Angeles University Foundation (boys’ 15-over 100m IM, 1:03.19) and Gian Daniel Berino of Joey Andaya Seagulls (boys’ 15-over 100m backstroke Open, 1:03.53) also rewrote records in their respective events.

Sharing the limelight were Heather White of British School Manila (girls’ 8 years 25m backstroke, 19.94), Finn Jason Lock of Team Aqua Bats (boys’ 8 years 25m backstroke, 19.15) and Phuket Invitational Swim Meet seven-gold winner Aubrey Tom of Marikina Aquabears (girls’ 8 years 25m backstroke), who likewise notched new marks.

“We’re happy that these kids are improving from time to time. It only shows that our grassroots development program is effective. This edition, PSL is giving away more than 1,000 medals and 60 trophies to the most outstanding swimmers,” said PSL president Susan Papa.

“It is just all grace coming from Above. We can make these young swimmers happy. You see all smiles when they go up to the podium and see them break records,” she added.

Also winning gold medals were Janine Consul, Althea Golimlim, Patricia Milla, Julia Basa, Simone Rosayaga, Mikyla Villarasa, Kristine Talag, Nicolette Belgica, Pauline Rosaroso, Angelica Gomez, Raniel Bautista, Caleb Dela Cruz, Morie Pabalan, Lee Grant Cabral, Patrick Vidal, Mhike Sevilleja, Ned Catapang, Mia Barreto, Sofia Barcelo, Mark Espinosa, Reuel Dagayday, Connor Jackson Lock, Danimel Dagayday, Yao Acidre, Angelica Medrano, Rizalino Cortez III, Jesreel Francisco, Peach Paraiso, Janh Nicole Bautista, Mara Sabina Cruz, Ross Jay Labasan and Olga Ortiz.

After the competition, two swimmers (one male and one female) with the highest International Swimming Federation (FINA) points will get the President’s Trophy and P1,500 each.