Baguio track star Santos bags two golds in National Open

December 18, 2021 Metro BLISTT

Back to her familiar playground and spirited cheers from local fans, Baguio pride Katherine Khay Santos boosted local budding track talents after ruling the women’s long jump and century dash on Thursday (Dec 16) in the Ayala Philippine Athletics Championships at the Athletic
Bowl here.
After almost two years of no competition and observing strict health protocols, the 31- year-old Santos and internationalist Santos displayed an impeccable performance when she defeated compatriot and national record-holder Marestella Torres-Sunang in long jump and took no breather to sprint from the dirt to the track to stunning victory in the 100m run.
Santos, pride of Dona Aurora Elementary School, Baguio City National High Schools’ (BCNHS) special curricula and University of Baguio (UB), leapt 6.06 in her first jump to beat Torres-Sunang who matched the distance but on her fourth try.Erika Marquez settled for bronze at 4.28m.
Before going to her last jump and with a few minutes to spare, Santos a mother of a 3- year old boy went straight to the track and won the lung busting 100m race in 12.61 seconds. Erica Marie Ruto (12.8) and and Ellah Therese Sirilan (13.13) followed suit in the event organized by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association backed by Philippine Sports Commission(PSC).
“I am so happy with my performances (today), its my first time to compete after 18 months of no competition,It’s a different feeling,” Santos said amid the loud cheers from her fans.
“I felt like a homecourt advantage,” Santos said, dedicating her triumphs to her son as an early Christmas gift and to her fans, family who supported her through these years. Meanwhile, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong who recently appointed as PATAFA regional director for Cordillera vowed to rehabiltate and “correct” some mistakes in the construction of the track at the Athletic Bowl.
In the regular press conference “Ugnayan”, Magalong announced that city has allocated P50M for the improvement of the track and drainage system of the sports facility.
Primo Agatep/ABN