Kiefer Piccio of the Negros Panaad Sea Eagles emerged as most outstanding male swimmer and most bemedalled athlete in the 13-14 boys of division in the Iloilo Dinagyang 2008 Age-Group Swimfest held Jan. 25-26, at Iloilo Sports Complex.

The 13-year-old freshman from Bacolod Christian College in Negros bracketed in Boys 13-14, ruled the 200 and 50 free, 100 and 200 back, 100 and 200 fly and 200 IM of his division while settling for silver in 100 breast, 100 and 400 free, 200 breast and together with his NPSE teammates, finished second in the 800 free relay.

Coached by Andrew Balinas, the nine-member contingent from Negros pitted talents against age-group swimmers from Iloilo , Antique, Cebu, Quezon City , Palawan , Dapitan and Guimaras who participated in the two-day tournament.

Aqua Sports Swim Club of Iloilo topped the competition with a total of 4,717 points after 134 events while fellow Ilonggo team Iloilo Sea-Warriors Swim Club placed second overall with 4,664 points.

The 25-member Cebu Blue Marlins Swimming Club placed third after accumulating a total of 3,765 points while the 22 swimmers from the Binirayan Tadpoles Swim Club of Antique settled for fourth with 1,220 points.

Lean but rich in talent, the seven-male and two-female swimmers of Negros Panaad Sea Eagles collected 1,220 points from its 114 entries for a fifth place finish.

Named as outstanding female swimmer in the age-group category was Paula Abegail Vega of Cebu Blue Marlins while Pricila Loren Aquino of Quezon City 's Celebrity Rapids Swimming Club received the same honor in the developmental bracket. Completing the cast of outstanding swimmers was Clemente Guillermo IV of Binirayan Tadpoles for the male developmental category.

Also taking individual honors for their dazzling performance in their respective division were (boys) Jordan Wipf of Palawan Swimming Club in 7-8; Anthony Navarro, Cebu Marlins, 9-10; Noel Caneda, Cebu Marlins, 15-17; and Adelbert Gallos of Aqua Sports, 18 and over.

Oustanding swimmers in the female division were: Almari Jean Villavert (BTSC), 6-under; Lyh Ann Navarro (CBMSC), 7-8; Margaret Mallo (ASSCI), 11-12; Chantana Jane Neptuno (1SWSC), 13-14; Carmela Rose Villaruel (Philspada-Iloilo) girls-individual; and Kristine Cabasac (ASSCI), 18-over.*NAB

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Piccio tops Age-Group Swimfest
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