Athletics standouts ready for UAAP 76

Update: The UAAP Athletics tournament will run from December 5 to 8 at DLSU-Dasmarinas.

Running, leaping, and throwing may come up as simple tasks to the ordinary person. Despite being labeled as such, the DLSU Green Tracksters and Lady Tracksters take these tasks to a whole new level with athleticism that combines both power and grace forever changing the notion of how these movements are assumed as simple.

“To be able to jump up to four meters, takes a lot of courage and if fear really strikes you, you really have to overcome that,” shares ace pole vaulter Adel Valdecanas.

Interestingly, these dynamic movements are integrated to thrilling events that include relays, dashes, hurdles, high jumps, shot puts, javelin throws, discus throws and pole vaults. All of which both the Green Tracksters and Lady Tracksters participate in for the UAAP tournament.

Despite coming up short in last season’s tourney, a determined group of Tracksters are more than ready to showcase their talents and skills again, and of course bring home the gold for UAAP Season 76.

“This year’s team would be different. The aura within the team is different because as of this year we prepared another training program that can make us better athletes. This includes our attitude and mental training as well. We also have new rookies that can add up some points and better chances for the team,” team captain Jerico Ejercito explains.

In the UAAP Season 75 Track and Field tournament held at the Philippine Sports Complex (ULTRA), DLSU garnered third and fourth place for the Green Tracksters and Lady Tracksters respectively.

The Green Tracksters ended the season with 249 points, trailing just FEU and UST. The ladies however were miles away from FEU, UE, and UST as they only garnered 84 points and bagged home just three medals by the end of the competition.

As the track and field tournament for UAAP Season 76 draws closer, thrills and excitement are also nearing for the athletes participating.

The Taft-based Tracksters are very much determined to win this coming season. “We expect our team to be champions because we only lost a few players. They graduated already so the athletes who are still competing have gained into a higher level of performance,” Ejercito explains.

Their routine is very much different from what they did last season, with training being done almost every day. “Halos araw araw may training unlike this year kasi sa schedule nila. Ngayon mas kontrolado ko na [schedule],” says assistant coach Kenneth Tolin. Moreover, Tolin emphasizes maintaining health for this tournament, hoping that no injuries befall his athletes.

As the UAAP Track and Field tournament looms closer and closer, the DLSU Tracksters look forward to reward themselves for their hard work in their rigorous training sessions and the Lasallian community for their support with an elusive championship this coming season.