CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY— Grade 12 student-athlete Claeson Therese R. Alvarez of Claret School of Zamboanga City delivered a flawless performance at the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) ABC Short Course Series Leg 2 & 3, sweeping all nine of her events and securing the Most Outstanding Swimmer award in Cebu City.

Competing Sept. 19–20 at the Sacred Heart School–Ateneo de Cebu pool, the 17-year-old Zamboangueña brought home nine gold medals across sprint, distance, and medley disciplines.

A Nine-Event Sweep

Alvarez demonstrated broad versatility across multiple strokes and distances, winning top honors in:

  • Freestyle: 50m, 200m, 400m, and 1,500m

  • Backstroke: 100m and 200m

  • Butterfly: 50m and 100m

  • Individual Medley: 400m IM

Her performance set the stage for her appearance at the Philippine Aquatics Speedo–Smart Short Course National Championships 2026, held Oct. 2–4 at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.

At the national level, Alvarez logged strong showings against the country's top talent, placing 17th in the women's 50m backstroke with a time of 34.13 seconds, reaching the top 25 in the 50m butterfly (32.60 seconds), and placing in the top 15 in the 100m backstroke (1:13.97).

Discipline and Pacing

Navigating nine events over a condensed two-day schedule required strict physical conditioning and mental execution.

"Preparing for different events requires a lot of discipline and consistency," Alvarez said. "My training includes building endurance, improving my speed, and working on my technique. Since I have nine different events, I have to be versatile and learn how to adjust to each race."

With minimal rest between heats and finals, Alvarez focused on recovery and execution.

"It was definitely exhausting," she said. "I had to be mindful of my energy, make sure I ate enough to fuel my body, stayed hydrated, and took every opportunity to rest between races. Mentally, I focused on one race at a time."

Student-Athlete Balance

Balancing morning and evening pool sessions with Grade 12 academic demands at Claret School remains a daily challenge.

"Balancing academics and swimming as a Grade 12 student is definitely challenging," Alvarez said. "There are days when I feel exhausted, but I remind myself of the goals I’m working toward."

Looking ahead, Alvarez views her Most Outstanding Swimmer award as motivation for her next chapter in competitive swimming.

"Receiving the award means a lot to me because it represents not just the medals, but also the sacrifices, discipline, and hard work behind every race," she said. "As I approach the next chapter of my life, I want to continue improving as a swimmer while also preparing for my future beyond the sport."