S87 Athletics: November 17, 2024 morning sessions recap

NATIONAL athletes Hokett Delos Santos and Erika Burgos delivered standout performances for their respective universities in the morning session of the UAAP Season 87 Athletics Championships.

Delos Santos, a silver medalist in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, successfully defended his pole vault title for University of Santo Tomas.

Clearing an impressive 5.00 meters, he led the charge for the Tiger Tracksters, who are pursuing their eighth UAAP title—their first since Season 65 in 2002.

On the track, national triathlete Erika Burgos, a gold medalist in the 32nd SEA Games mixed relay aquathlon, showcased her versatility by switching to athletics, claiming the silver medal in the women’s 10,000 meters, clocking 40:02.88.

UST completed a podium sweep in the men’s pole vault. Mejen Sumbongan secured silver with a leap of 4.35 meters, while Sean Harry Narag earned bronze with 4.05 meters.

Delos Santos expressed his excitement about the future of pole vaulting in the country, highlighting the upcoming pole-vaulting facility being donated by fellow Thomasian and Olympian EJ Obiena.

“Isa po talaga ‘yun sa mga dream niya, to give back. Kasi kung meron po tayong facility, mas marami pong mga bata ang mabibigyan ng opportunity. Kung wala po tayong facility siguro hindi rin kami nag-1-2 ni kuya EJ sa SEA Games po,” Delos Santos shared.

“Us Filipinos have the potential, pero we’re lacking sa mga facilities,” he added.

In the women’s 10,000 meters, Burgos’s silver-medal finish was part of a 1-2 punch for University of the Philippines.

Mea Gey Niñura took the gold with a time of 39:52.39, while Edna Magtubo of Far Eastern University (FEU) claimed bronze in 40:27.51.

UST’s men led the overall standings with 37 points after the morning session, while UP dominated the women’s side with 63 points across three events: the 10,000 meters, hammer throw, and 5,000 meters racewalk.

In the high school division, Sep Blesse Placido of University of the East set a new UAAP record in the girls’ 2,000 meters walk with a time of 10:15.12.

The afternoon sessions of the Athletics Championship are underway as of publishing.

(C) UAAP Sesason 87 Media Team