Speedo Standouts: MGCNL Makes a Splash in the Pool

The MGCNL Swimming Varsity showcased outstanding performances at the Speedo Inter-school Championships, All Boys and All Girls, last October 7 to 8 at Xavier School in San Juan City and the Brent Invitational Swim Meet last October 14 at Brent International School. 

Speedo Inter-school Championships

Leading the All Boys category, Patmos student Gabriel Ethan Gaw proved his mettle with an impressive series of performances, garnering the Most Outstanding Swimmer Award in the 15-year-old category. He clinched the top spot in the 50m breaststroke and secured gold in the 50m backstroke. Gaw also secured second place in the 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle, and 50m butterfly. 

Jordan student Alec Yu garnered second place in the 50m breaststroke and earned bronze medals in the 100m and 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke, and 50m butterfly. Yu also claimed seventh place in the 4x50m freestyle relay alongside Evan Gaw, Isaac Yu, and Baron Ong.

Antonio Dela Cruz of Jericho displayed his competitiveness by achieving sixth place in the 100m freestyle and fourth place in the 50m butterfly. He also placed fourth in the 50m backstroke and seventh in the 50m breaststroke.

Meanwhile, for the All Girls category, Berea’s Brielle Pua flew in the pool, securing an impressive third-place finish in the 50m butterfly, a fourth-place finish in the 50m backstroke, and eighth place in the 100m freestyle.

Galilee student Nishelle Dela Cruz swam her way to snatch a second-place finish in the 50m backstroke, third place in the 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly, fourth in the 50m breaststroke, and fifth place in the 50m freestyle.

Olive’s Jamie Ang mastered the waves, securing fifth place in the 100m freestyle.

Alexandra Wang of Bethany copped fifth place in the 50m butterfly, 50m breaststroke, and in the 50m freestyle, along with a sixth-place finish in the 50m backstroke.

Jordan student Brielle Dominique Ong rounded up the commendable performances by securing an eighth-place finish in the 50m breaststroke.

Brent Invitational Swim Meet 

Gaw led the boys' team once more at the Brent Invitational Swim Meet, collecting 94 points and getting gold in the 100m individual medley (IM), 50m freestyle, and 50m butterfly. He topped it off with a second-place finish in the 50m breaststroke and backstroke. 

Yu’s powerful strokes claimed two well-deserved silver medals for the 50m freestyle and 100m IM. 

Antonio Dela Cruz's swift movements earned him two gold medals in the 25m backstroke and 25m breaststroke events. Adding to his achievements, Dela Cruz finished with a commendable third-place finish in the 25m butterfly. 

For the girls’ division, Pua exhibited grace and strength in the 50m butterfly, clinching a silver medal. 

Nishelle Dela Cruz flew from start to finish in the 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke, and 25m butterfly events, earning one silver and two golds respectively. 

Meanwhile, Ang showcased her versatility by securing a silver medal in the challenging 100m IM.

Wang's finesse in the water earned her a gold medal in the 25m freestyle, while her technique in breaststroke secured her two silver medals in the 25m and 50m breaststroke events. 

Jericho’s Nicole So exhibited outstanding skills in the 25m freestyle and 25m butterfly, securing silver and bronze medals, respectively.

The relay team, composed of So, Wang, Kirsten Uy, and Natalia Wong, displayed seamless coordination and teamwork, securing a second-place finish in the 100m medley relay.

All swimmers showed their grit, displaying amazing swims and dropping personal best times in this competition.