MIDDLE SCHOOL XC ALL-ISLAND SPARKS RUNNERS

By Shania Bulala

On Thursday afternoon, the George Washington High School track hosted the ISA middle school cross-country all-island championship meet, where the top youth distance runners from all around the island competed for the title. This championship meet featured every public middle school, with the addition of Dominican Catholic School, as athletes battled for individual and team titles to close out the season. With championship stakes on the line, several runners delivered standout performances, including personal-best efforts from the top finishers on both the boys and girls sides.

DIWA DEFENDS TITLE

On the boys side, AMS Dragon Jheaven Diwa once again proved that he is the runner to beat, capturing first place in the boys race with a personal-record time of 9:01. Diwa showed composure throughout most of the race, sticking with the pack of front runners before finally kicking it in the final stretch to cross the finish line in first. The seventh grader successfully defended his all-island title, earning his second consecutive ISA middle school championship victory. 

“Being a champion for two years in a row makes me feel very proud, and I just want to continue to try my best,” said Diwa. “I tried not to think about how hard the race will be. I just tried to focus on finishing and hopefully getting another medal.” Diwa now sets his sights on extending his dominance into his eighth-grade season next year.

LIMTUATCO CAPS OFF PERFECT SEASON

On the girls side, UMS Wildcat Xylah Limtuatco capped off a perfect season, claiming the individual title in a personal-best time of 9:51. This win served as the icing on the cake for Limtuatco. She went undefeated throughout her final middle school cross-country season. Her consistent excellence from start to finish made her championship victory a fitting conclusion to her final middle school season. 

“It makes me feel great to end this season by winning every single meet and most especially the all-island meet. I’m definitely surprised that I could accomplish something like this, but I wouldn’t have done it without the support of my friends, coaches, and most especially my family,” expressed Limtuatco. “

Prior to the start of the middle school season, Limtuatco also tested herself against older competition at the Asia Pacific International high school meet that was hosted in October, where she competed in the B-team race. Despite being the youngest participant in the field, she managed to take first place, further highlighting her talent and potential in distance running. 

Team Standings

Boys 

1st- Untalan Wildcats- 49 points 

2nd- Astumbo Dragons- 53 points

3rd- BMS Roadrunners- 64 points 

Girls

1st- BMS Roadrunners- 45 points

2nd- FBLG Hawks- 60 points

3rd- UMS Wildcats- 90 points