Cray, Richardson lead PH track team in SEAG

FILIPINO-American ace tracksters Eric Cray and Kayla Anise Richardson will banner the 38-man Philippine track and field team in the 29th edition of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games to be held in Ku al a Lumpur, Malaysia, starting August 19.

Cray and Richardson are defending titlists in the men’s and women’s 100 meters which they ruled in the 2015 edition of the regional meet in Singapore.

Cray completed a rare double, defending his 400 m hurdles title in a record-breaking feat, setting a new meet and national records, respectively. A total of 11 records were broken at the competition.

Cray is one of seven athletes who won two individual gold medals at the 2015 games.

In Kuala Lumpur, Cray will be competing anew in the 100 meters and 400-meter hurdles. He will also see action in the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays.

On the other hand, Richardson will be defending her title in the 100-meter run. She will also compete in the 200 meters, 4x100 and 4x400 relays.

Before going to Kuala Lumpur, Cray and pole vault specialist Ernest John Obiena will also lead the national athletes seeing action at the London world athletics’ tournament on August 4 to 13.

Other members of the track and field are: Men Jeson Oyco (marathon), Anfernee Lopena (100m / 4X400m relay), Aries Toledo (4X400 relay), Arniel Ferrera (hammer throw), Archand Christian Dimaan Bagsit (200m, 4x100m /4x400 relay), Immuel Candole Camino (3,000m steeplechase), Christopher Ulboc Jr. (3,000m steeplechase), Clinton Kingsley Bautista (110m hurdle), Edgardo Alejan Jr. (400m / 4X400m relay), Eric Shaun Cray (100m / 400m hurdle/ Elbren Neri (1,500m), Ernest John Obiena (pole vault), Janry Ubas (long jump), Kenny Gonzales (javelin throw), Manuel Lasangue Jr. (high jump), Marco Vilog (800m), Mark Harry Diones (triple jump, 4x100m relay),Francis Tiaga Medina (400m hurdle), Melvin Calano (javelin throw), Mervin Guarte (800m / 1,500m), Michael Carlo del Prado (4x400 m relay), Patrick Ma, Unso (110m hurldle/ 4x400 m relay), Ronne Malipay (triple jump), Tyler Christian (long jump), Trenten Anthony Beram (200m / 400m /4x100m relay / 4x400m relay).

The women’s track and field team include Emily Jean Obiena (pole vault), Eva Palabrica (javelin throw), Katherine Kay Santos (4x100m relay/ 4x400m relay/long jump), Marestela Sunang (long jump), Riezel Buenaventura (pole vault), Rosie Villarito (javelin throw), Reah Joy Reyes Tabal (marathon) and Zion Rose Nelson (100m /200m /400m / 4x100m relay / 4x400m relay). PNA