It's a Sport too, you know

I have long since tried to champion the cause of having due recognition to non-basketball sports. It was my platform when I ran for my high school's Athletics Council and even believed that we were somehow successful about it. But of course, there was only so much I could have done about it.

I just finished reading the sports section of my school's paper and not shockingly, basketball pretty much dominated the section. While summer usual is the time wherein every varsity team is gearing up for the upcoming season, I cannot help but wonder why the attention is primarily focused on basketball. It is the time old, million dollar question , I know but the more I think about, the more it drives me crazy. Same thing when I don't think about as well. Might as well rant for a while.

When I returned to swimming, I swore that I would not let the the lack of attention get to me like it used to. I still haven't but when I look at my team and remember all that we have been through, I feel downright depressed--betrayed even--that little recognition is given to us. The swim team has been through a lot. From perennial cellar-dwellers to a Cinderella story 2nd place finish, ours' was a story for the ages. At least, that is what I would like to believe. However, amidst all the struggles we've been through and the storms we've weathered (metaphorically and literally, I might add) all got was a thank you and we-expect-the-same-outcome-next year treatment. Classy, huh?

I'm not saying that everyone should stop paying attention to basketball and forget all about it completely. Of course not. Basketball will always be the most attention-getting sport in our country, at the very least. Hey, I'm a really big fan of it. In fact, my greatest sports hero is a basketball player (Though he was a swimmer when he was growing up). What I am saying, however, is that it doesn't always have to be basketball dominating the articles of the school paper. Is a little equality too much to ask? That is enough attention any non-basketball team would surely appreciate.

It's my last year to represent my school this year. Though I do not expect any changes regarding this situation, I am hopeful that those younger than me will be spared of what myself and the rest of the non-basketball athletes are experiencing right now. It is just not fair to them.

Take your mark...

New year, New Team, New Faces

With six seniors graduating from the swim team, the odds of winning the first ever UAAP Men's Swimming Championship is clearly not in our favor. As the six graduates are comprised of our three top guns and three solid point contributors, I cannot help but feel a bit helpless at the predicament. Clearly, the golden area of Ateneo Men's Swimming has come to an end.

But that of course, goes without saying. We knew we had the best chance of doing something spectacular this year and we made the most of it. As our team captain Chico Gueco said, "Second place never felt so sweet." Truly, it was. Yet, I do not know if I can share the same sentiment after we conclude this year's UAAP campaign. I just do not and cannot see it. Not yet, anyway.

Truth be told, I am really scared this year. Gone is the confidence I had going into last year about my team and myself since the core--therefore the strength--of the team was still intact. Last year, we were built around a seasoned and strong unit of veterans. Now, the team is founded on the sophomore and freshmen stars. A new dawn has certainly come.

Maybe I am just being over anxious. After all, we are not the only team to have lost our stars after this year. As much as I can say, everyone is on equal footing. But that is still not good enough for me. I am sure that our opponents are already gathering their strength and preparing for the coming season. Why are we not doing the same thing? What is up with us?

I plan on doing something about this because I for one will not go into something half-assed, especially when I am representing myself and my school. I have got to try to do something about it.

Take your mark!