MGCNL Swimmers Conclude FCAAF Swimming Championships with 66-Medal Haul

The MGC New Life Swimming Team brought home a total of 66 medals, consisting of 32 gold, 17 silver, and 17 bronze medals, proving their mettle in the first-ever Filipino Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation (FCAAF) Inter-school Swimming Championships 2024 held last February 17 and 18 at Xavier School in  San Juan. 

The 12-and-under girls team was crowned overall champions while the 12-and-under boys team was awarded first runner-up in their respective categories. Gabriel Gaw, Nichelle dela Cruz, and Alexandra Wang received the Most Outstanding Swimmer award in their respective age groups. 

Boys’ Division

Gabriel Gaw put on an impressive performance, bagging six gold medals in the 200m individual medley (IM), 100m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, 50m butterfly, and 50m freestyle. The Patmos A student also took home one silver medal in the 100m backstroke. 

Alec Yu won gold in the 50m butterfly, two silvers in the 100m and 50m freestyle, and two bronze medals in the 100m and 50m butterfly. He took home another silver in the 200m freestyle relay alongside Evan Gaw, David Yu, and Baron Ong.

Evan Gaw bagged two bronze medals in the 50m breaststroke and 50m butterfly, and also placed fourth in the 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle.

Antonio dela Cruz won two gold medals in the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly, as well as three silvers in 100m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, and 50m freestyle. He also bagged a bronze medal in the 200m IM relay, competing alongside David Yu, Baron Ong, and Jared Isaac Ng.

Baron Ong won a silver medal in the 200m IM, placed fourth in the 100m freestyle, fifth in the 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle, and seventh in the 100m backstroke. 

David Yu won a bronze medal in the 50m breaststroke and placed fourth in the 100m and 50m backstroke and the 50m freestyle.

Aidan Kho placed sixth in the 50m butterfly and eighth in the 50m backstroke while Aaron Kho and Sebastian Ty both placed eighth in the 50m breaststroke and 100m backstroke, respectively. 

The 13-and-over relay team consisting of Aidan Kho, Aaron Kho, Gabriel Gaw, and Philip Chua placed fourth in the 200m IM relay and sixth in the 200m freestyle relay.

Girls’ Division

Nichelle dela Cruz exerted dominance in the water, bagging six gold medals in the 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, and 50m freestyle. 

Alexandra Wang took home four gold medals in the 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, and 50m freestyle. 

Nicole  So won a gold medal in the 50m butterfly and a silver medal in the 50m freestyle.

Brielle Ong brought home two silver medals in the 100m and 50m breaststroke and four bronze medals in the 200m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 50m backstroke, and 50m freestyle.

Solene Wong bagged a silver medal in the 50m breaststroke, bronze in the 50m backstroke, and placed fifth in the 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle. 

Nathalia Wong won two silvers in the 100m freestyle and 50m backstroke. 

Rianne Kho placed fourth in the 100m backstroke, sixth in the 50m butterfly, and seventh in the 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, and 50m freestyle.  

Adding to the girls’ 12-and-under medal haul are gold medal finishes in the 400m IM relay, with Rianne Kho, Solene Wong, Brielle Ong, and Nichelle dela Cruz, the 200m IM relay, featuring Solene Wong, Alexandra Wang, Nichelle dela Cruz, and Nathalia Wong, and the 200m freestyle relay, composed of Nichelle dela Cruz, Rianne Kho, Solene Wong, and Brielle Ong.

In the 13-and-over division, Brielle Pua won three bronze medals in the 200m freestyle, 100m freestyle, and 50m butterfly. She also placed fifth in the 50m freestyle.

Lauren Siao placed fifth in the 100m and 50m freestyle and the 50m backstroke and sixth in the 50m butterfly and 50m breaststroke.

Soleil Yu placed fifth in the 100m butterfly, sixth in the 100m backstroke, 50m backstroke, and 50m freestyle, seventh in the 100m freestyle, and eighth in the 50m butterfly.

The 13-and-over girls’ relay team, which is made up of Raine Kho, Siao, Soleil Yu, and Pua, placed fifth in the 200m IM relay and sixth in the 200m freestyle relay. 

It was a successful meet for the MGCNL swim team, and they look forward to bagging more awards and recognitions in the upcoming Philippine Ching Yuen Athletic Association Swimming Championships.