by Solei Vasquez

Miguel Luis I. Martinez and Trixie M. Ortiguera nailed their events to bag multiple medals as they fulfilled their jobs enough to put both The Girls’ and Boys’ Ateneo Junior Swimming Teams on the second podium at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Swimming Championships at the New Clark City Aquatic Center in Capas, Tarlac on Nov. 17-20, 2024.

Martinez locked in two gold medals in the 50-meter and 100-meter Breaststroke, a bronze in the 200-meter Breaststroke, and became the only high school male swimmer to win gold in this year’s UAAP despite going through health issues.

“Throughout the whole time I felt a little under the weather, quite pressured, and caught myself overthinking a lot,” he said.

However, he added that it was not very hard to get through it as all he needed to do was listen to his coaches telling him to have fun and remind himself that he had been in this sport for more than a decade now. 

Additionally, Thirdy Lentejas placed silver in the Boys’ 100-meter Backstroke, and bronze in the 200-meter Individual Medley and 50-meter Backstroke, while Karl Cziomer clinched bronze in the Boys’ 800-meter Freestyle.

Ortiguera also excelled, bagging five medals out of her seven events: gold in both the Girls’ 50-meter Backstroke and 100-meter Freestyle; silvers in 50-meter Butterfly, 100-meter Backstroke, and the overall for girls.

Marga Amoguis had contributed to the team generously as well, earning gold in the Girls’ 400-meter Freestyle; silver in the Girls’ 200-meter Individual Medley, Girls’ 800-meter Freestyle, and Girls’ 400-meter Individual Medley; and finally bronze in the Girls’ 200-meter Freestyle.

Not falling far, Mika Lim followed suit as she won a bronze for Ateneo in the Girls’ 100M Breaststroke.

“For some of my events there were some things I wish I could change, but overall, this is what the Lord had given me, so I’m nothing but grateful,” Ortiguera said.

Ortiguera added that she aims to work on her weakest events which are the mid-distances and to secure medals for all her events in the upcoming UAAP competitions.

Martinez has similar plans with Ortiguera: to improve his weaker events and break records in the next UAAP season.

“Next UAAP I’m not just aiming to win anymore, I want records,” he added.

Relay Medal Tally (Girls):

Shar Go, Eunice De Guzman, Trixie Tabuñar, and Sam Lim: Girls 4x200M Freestyle Relay Silver 

Abbie Duquez, Mika Lim, Trixie Tabuñar and Shar Go:  Girls 4x100M Freestyle Relay Bronze

Sam Lim, Louie Malaluan, Shar Go and Abbie Duquez: Girls 4x50M Freestyle Relay Silver

Louie Malaluan, Mika Lim, Sam Lim, and Abbie Duquez: 4x100M Medley Relay Bronze

Relay Medal Tally (Boys):

Marcus Molino, Miguel Martinez, Gabe Gaw, and Thirdy Lentejas: Boys 4x50M Medley Relay Silver

Karl Cziomer, Tylo Alcudia, Edgar Gaston, and Zion Jalla: Boys 4x200M Freestyle Relay Silver

Zion Jalla, Edgar Gaston, Tylo Alcudia, and Manuel De Leon: Boys 4x100M Freestyle Relay Silver 

Joaquin Osabel, Miguel Tungul, Edgar Gaston, and Manuel De Leon: Boys 4x50M Freestyle Relay Silver

Marcus Molino, Gabe Viovicente, Jaq Guzman, and Manuel De Leon: Boys 4x100M Medley Relay Silver