The Quezon Killerwhale swimming team turned the Clark Aquatics Center into its own playground to claim the overall championship on Sunday in the 2022 FINIS Short Course Swim Series-Luzon leg at the New Clark City in Tarlac.
Hugh Antonio Parto shone brightest from among his more-experienced teammates, sweeping his five finals events as the Killerwhale topped the 25-team field with total points of 840 in the competition organized by FINIS Philippines as part of the company’s grassroots sports program and community services.
The 15-year-old Parto, the pride of La Salle-Lipa and known in the swimming community as a member of the ‘Lucena Boys’, completed his amazing campaign with a victory in the boys’ 15-16 50-m butterfly against Tim Capulong and Mikos Trinidad.
In the 50-meter free style, he clocked 25.48 against hometown bet Capulong (25.65) and Lune Arano ng Bosay Aquatics (25.85).
“Masayang masaya po ako. ‘Yung target ko na malagpasan ‘yung personal best ko sa SLP meet, higit pa ang nakuha kong resulta. Nagpapasalamat po ako kay coach Virgil (De Luna) sa pag-gabay at sa suporta ng mga teammates ko. Siyempre sa pamilya ko na all-out sa aking career at school,” said Parto.
Marcus De Kam from Calayan Educational Foundation contributed in the QKST domination with victories in the premier 18-year 50-m butterfly (25.55) against teammates Ivan Radovan (26.01) and Ruben White (26.16). Earlier, he ruled the 100-m IM (58.95), 100-m butterfly (56.87) and 50-backstroke (27.49).
National junior record holder Michaela Jasmine Mojdeh averted a rare gold medal-less campaign as she finally beat teammate, Fil-Briton Heather White in their finals event duel in her favorite 100-m breaststroke as she timed 1:15.07 against the 1:22.30 of her Vietnam-based rival. Clara Delos Santos of Poseidon checked in third (1:19.27).
“Nakaisa rin po. Okey naman po basta tuloy tuloy lang ang ensayo at kompetisyon. Malakas talaga si White (Heather). Bawi na lang po ako next time,” said Mojdeh, dubbed the ‘Water Beast’.
The 15-year-old White beat the Palarong Pambansa champion in the girls’ 15-16 100-m butterfly (1:02.74) and in the 100-m IM (1:07.16) and 50-meter freestyle (26.73).
FINIS Philippines Marketing Director Vince Garcia, head of the organizing committee, led officials in handing out medals to all winners as well as to the young participants, who joined in the Kids of Steel Triathlon meet simultaneously held on Sunday.
“We’re all set for the Visayas leg next month. Tuloy tuloy ang promotions natin to help our young swimmers and triathletes achieve their dreams,” said Garcia.