Seven students from the Romanito Maravilla National High School in Brgy. Estefania, Bacolod City, gifted the Negros Occidental team nine gold medals at the start of the competition in athletics of the 2013 Batang Pinoy National Championship at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, yesterday.

Classmates Alexis Soqueño and Mark John Balajeboco captured two gold medals each while Jose Jerry Belibestre, Rodrigo Delaben, Riva Louise Cario, Romerose Villanueva and Joycie Beranio finished first in their respective event to underscore Negros Occidental’s dominance in athletics.

Balajeboco topped the boys’ 100 and 400-meter run, Soqueño ruled the boys’ high jump and 110m hurdles, while Belibestre’s 6.87m leap in boys’ long jump earned him the gold. Belibestre also secured the bronze medal in boys’ 100 meters.

The three medalists teamed up with Rodrigo in boys’ 4x100m relay to collect another gold for Negros Occidental and make their coach, Miguel Arca, proud of their accomplishments in this year’s national finals of the Batang Pinoy competition.

Not to be outdone, the girls’ athletics team of Negros Occidental, showcased their talent with Cario reigning in discus throw, Villanueva in long jump and Beranio in 400-meter run.

Also showing a strong finish in the first day of competition in athletics were the athletes from Leyte with Karen Janario posting a double-gold finish from girls’ 100 meters and 100m hurdles and a bronze finish for Beverly Estrera in girls’ high jump.

Baguio City also claimed two gold medals courtesy of Jean Taltala in girls; high jump and Reymark Quezada in boys’ 5,000 meters.

Iloilo had a 1-2 finish in boys’ discus throw with Lanz Jeremy Halongong winning the gold and John Crhsitian Capasao the silver as Geoward Ngina of Baguio grabbed the bronze.

Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Angelica de Josef prevailed in girls’ 1,500 meters to give Aklan its first gold medal then placed second behind Beranio in the 400-meter run for a silver.

Athletics competitions will continue today at the Panaad Park and Stadium with final events in 3,000-meter race, triple jump, javelin throw, 200-meter run, 400m hurdles, 2,000-meter walk, 800-meter run, and 4x400m relay.

Meanwhile, Batang Pinoy organizers announced yesterday that the venue for cycling was moved to the Old Airport Access Road.

Other playing venues include Pohang Badminton Center for badminton, BAYS Center for boxing; Bacolod Government Center, chess; NOMPAC, futsal; Robinsons Place, karatedo; Montevista Tennis Court, lawn tennis; Bacolod National High School, softball; Lopue’s San Sebastian, table tennis; University of St. La Salle, volleyball; SM Transport Hub, weightlifting, and Gasiano City Mall, wrestling.*NAB

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