RAFOLS (CDN FILE)
University of Cebu’s (UC) ace trackster John Marvin Rafols made sure his final year in the high school division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) track and field competition would be one worth remembering.
The 18-year-old Asean School Games and Palarong Pambansa gold medalist put up a show by winning four gold medals in two days of competition at the Cebu City Sports Center.
He had the most gold medals in UC’s high school boys squad which finished second to the University of San Carlos-Basic Education (USC-BED) in the boys’ competition.
The Warriors had nine gold medals, six silvers and six bronze medals while the Webmasters finished with eight gilts, six silvers and five bronze medals.
Still, it was a performance to remember for Rafols, who told Cebu Daily News he wanted to leave the high school division on a high note.
And he did just that, as aside from the four golds, he also went on to break his personal and Cesafi record in the triple jump event.
He logged a new Cesafi record of 14.28 meters, erasing his 2016 record of 14.10m.
“I will miss competing here but I have to prepare myself in the more competitive college level next school year,” said Rafols, who said he will still be with the Webmasters team next year.
Rafols won all of his four gold medals in the final day yesterday. He also topped the long jump event and joined his teammates to win the gold medals in the 4×100 and 4×400-meter relays along with his teammates.
UC’s other gold medalists in the high school division were John Paul Apilan (110m hurdles, 400m hurdles), Martchan Torregosa (800m run), and Carl Babao (discus throw).
“I think my experience in competing abroad helped me to gain more confidence in this competition. It helped me perform better,” said Rafols.
He said that he is preparing for the Private Schools Athletic Association national finals this year as well as other meets under UC’s banner.
UC topped the girls side with a 7-6-6 (gold-silver-bronze) haul followed by USC-BED with a 5-5-4 medal tally.
In the collegiate division, USC almost swept the entire gold medals at stake in the women’s division by winning 17 gilts along with four silvers and five bronzes.
UC’s men’s squad harvested 12 gilts along with five silvers and seven bronzes.