THE Negros Occidental gymnastics team earned the right to represent the 2018 Palarong Pambansa in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur this summer after dominating the recently-concluded Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet held in Iloilo City.
Among the elementary rhythmic gymnastics (RG) winners going to Palaro are Julianne Grace Arinas of Paglaum Elementary School, Leanna Mishka Cuansing of Bacolod Tay Tung High School, and Aklan’s Angel Tayco.
Arinas won the gold in individual all-around, hoop clubs, ball and freehand while Cuansing finished silver in freehand, ball and clubs as Tayco settled for bronze.
The Ruth Diocades-coached Negros team composed of Arinas, Cuansing and Eunice Tubongbanua also won the gold medal in the elementary team event.
Those who secured Palaro tickets in the secondary RG include 2017 Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Kiana Marie Alagaban of Tay Tung and Althea Descutido from Trinity Christian School.
Alagaban won the gold for individual all-around and also the gold in ball hoop clubs and rope.
Descutido took the silver both in individual all-around and rope and hoop clubs.
The Negrense team of Rose Ann Diwatin also won the gold in the team event with Alagaban, Descutido and Danielle Jamelo of STI West Negros University.
Negros Occidental also captured the gold medals in the elementary and secondary girls’ women’s artistic gymnastics (WAG) team while
Iloilo took the golds in men’s artistic gymnastics (MAG) in both levels.
Representing the Negrense elementary WAG are Alyssa Miyuki Chavez, Theres Ann Sarabia and Erica Renee Lim while for the secondary WAG are Mikaela Alexine Puentevella, Atarah Montero and Uzielle Kenshi Tejada. (HGD)