Last Updated on March 8, 2023 by Andrew Pirie
2015 SEA Games All Philippine Relay
SEA Games 2015: Selection Methodology Women’s 4×100
Apr 4, 2015
The PATAFA is still finalizing whether a women’s 4×100 will be included in the SEA Games. I will list reasons for including one and the methodology used in selecting the team. I am using pieces from an article that was in the pipeline and never published in this write-up with updates. Please note to news media if you use any of these articles to quote pinoyathletics.info in your write-up.
Women’s 4×100 Relay
Is the next most sure relay with five members. Two of the women have happily helped themselves to qualifying standards in the 100, and 200 events.28-year-old Princess Joy Griffey (our #2 fastest women of all time and National Junior Record Holder in 100), and 17-year-old World Junior representative Kayla Richardson.
Princess Joy Griffey
Griffey (11.62, 2014), and Richardson (11.78, 2014), were both ranked in the top 10 in the SEA Rankings last year 100, 200. With Griffey ranked third behind Vu (Vietnam) at 11.59 and Tassaporn Wanakit (Thailand). Griffey won the 100,200 at the 2014 National Games and opened 2015 with 11.92 and then 11.88.
Griffey with the best 200 PB 23.93 is an experienced relay runner having gone through the US NCAA system is the best choice for the second runner. It’s the longest leg 105m+ and requires two handoffs that only an experienced runner can get right.
Khay Santos
Long jumper Khay Santos (although PB 12.17, 2012 had a big breakthrough recently with 6.95 for 55m = 7.60 = 11.85-11.95). Santos played a very effective role as the first runner at the Thai Open as she beat the Thai to the first chance passing it to Princess Joy. Khay then followed this up with a windy 11.97 in Los Angeles and then a PB of 11.99 to win the National Open in 2015.
Kayla Richardson
The promising 17-year-old would be ideal for the third or fourth leg of the relay. As a familiar passing changing with her sister Kyla would be of benefit to the team. Kayla has a PB of 11.78, just.03 seconds away from the junior record of Princess Joy Griffey.
She has some international experience placing 5th at the Asian Youth Champs and also becoming the first athlete ever to hit the qualifying standard for the prestigious World Junior Champs which were held in Oregon last year.
The natural heir to Griffey in the sprints the 5’9 teenager may show great promise in the years to come. Opened with 12.04 and also ran a new PB of 56.82 in the 400 showings her versatility range as a sprinter.
Kyla in as the 4th runner in the team
Due to several withdrawals which will be mentioned later. Kyla Richardson, the twin sister of Kayla who had been ranked not in the top five last year has made her way into the lineup for the women’s 4×100.
Unlike Griffey (100,200), Kath (Long Jump), and Kayla (100,200). Kyla would only be participating in the relays at SEA Games. Kyla has a PB of 11.93 from 2013 and is the fastest 14-year-old of all time in 2012 with 12.00.
She finished 6th in the Asian Youth Champs but then had to fight hamstring issues in 2014. In 2015 she came back with an opening time of 12.09 and then 12.03 2 weeks later.
Nelson and Rosales unavailable for SEA Games
Updates since last time the following sprinters are now unavailable. Zion Corrales-Nelson, 15 who was anticipated to join the SEA Games delegation, did not communicate an intention to join the meeting with the PATAFA. She has the best time of 12.02 in the 100 but is better known as the National 400 Record Holder. Jenny Rose Rosales whose UAAP Record in the heats of 11.90, also went under the 11.91 (SEA Bronze 2013) standard. However as two entries per event. Rosales was not able to sign up for the SEA Games due to OJT commitments.
The Thai Open
When I brought the 4×100 to Thailand they landed bronze with Santos, Griffey, Loquinto, and Rosales. The team then ran 46.61 off two days of training. Jenny going two steps early before Hanelyn reached the check mark ended up costing the team about .3 seconds.
Now let’s assume based on the best times that Open 4×100 2013 46.61 ( this was the best time by the Philippines since 2005)
(Name, best time, time ran at the meet)
- Katherine Khay Santos (12.17 PB, 12.29)
- Princess Joy Griffey (11.58 PB, 12.10)
- Hanelyn Loquinto (12.22 PB, 12.49)
- Jenny Rosales (12.22 PB, 12.41) (*12.41 recent time didn’t run individually at games)
Back in 2013 for the SEA Games noteGriffey only trained a month before the Thai Open, after 2 years out of the sport. Kyla (11.93) and Kayla (11.79) were together around 1.2 seconds faster than Loquinto and Jenny at this point.
2015 Team
- Katherine Khay Santos (11.99 PB)
- Princess Joy Griffey (11.58 PB, 11.62)
- Kayla Richardson (11.78)
- Kyla Richardson (11.93)
12.17-11.99 = .18
12.10 – 11.62 = .48
12.49-11.93 = .56
12.22-11.78 = .46
46.61 – 1.68 (if all athletes are in pb shape) = 44.93
44.93 is the best scenario due to the lack of passing and athletes having
been in individual events prior. 45.3-45.8 is a more realistic target. The Phi record is 45.41 and 44.88 is good for silver whereas 45.3-45.8 is perhaps bronze.
2013 SEA Games
- Thailand 44.42
- Vietnam 44.99
- Indonesia 45.88
- Myanmar 47.82
- Malaysia DSQ
The Diagnosis
Based on the speed of our members and history, Thailand with superior passing will win the relay. However, Vietnam which is without Vu may run significantly slower. So the key challenge for the bronze would come from Indonesia and possibly Malaysia. Especially relevant is that Griffey and Kath have shown some good early-season form.
But the Richardson twins must get into the 11.80 to 11.90 bracket. If this happens we have a very high medal chance. Yet the relay team members are willing to come out to camp in Manila on May 25 if the team is approved.
Women’s 4×400 Relay
Depending on the availability of Jenny Rose Rosales who is busy with OJT. we have quite a strong chance in the Women’s 4x400m a team we have not fielded since 2005 and have not medalled in at least 20 years. Besides Princess Joy, it’s a relatively young team that has almost a decade of SEA Games in store for them.
Looking at the team Princess Joy, 28 is already entered in the 100, 200, and 4×100 she has a PB of 55.96 from some years back but has split 53.5 in relays and mainly ran 4×400 at College. With her 200 PB to 23.93 as opposed to 24.5 at 55.96, she could easily split a 54-second run.
Three athletes who are all below 21 would help strengthen the team. Leading the charge is 16-year-old Jamaican-Filipino Zion Corrales Nelson from Canada who is the youngest and the fastest in the team holding both National and National Junior records in this event with a time of 54.18.
Jenny Rose Rosales the UAAP Record Holder at 54.45, would seriously beef up the team but will need to balance it with education commitments.
While all four athletes are making their SEA Games, completing the lineup would be Neslee Angco who has never competed overseas her best time is 56.52. The UAAP Silver medalist is the training partner and schoolmate at the University of the East with Jenny Rosales and is coached by Elma Muros and George Posadas.
So Looking at the relay in hindsight 3 x 54 and 56 equates to 3:38. Which is below the 3:42 bronze medal of Myanmar in 2013 and also 2 seconds faster than the National Record of 3:40 set by De Vega, Muros, Bulutucan, and Rhoda Sinoro.
The Vietnamese will be hard to beat with 3 x 52 and 53 which gives them a combined time of 3:29 well below the SEA Games record. Their prime athlete is QUACH who has a junior last year and took silver in 52.06 at the Asian Games.
Then The Thais have a 53 and 3 x 54 which gives them a combined team of 3:35 they are led by Trewadee the SEA Games 400m Champion in 2013.
Men’s 4×100 Relay
The Philippines also has had its best chance in recent years with several new sprinters. Led by Fil-Heritage athletes Eric Cray of Texas (10.52, 10.47w PB), and Bryan Mercado of California (10.56 PB). The duo is joined by SEA Games three-time-long jump champion Henry Dagmil, and possibly Brandon Thomas (10.59 PB), Daniel Noval (10.65 PB), and Anfernee Lopena (10.73 PB).
While Cray, Mercado, and Dagmil are comfortably qualified in individual events the other three will need to knuckle down and bring their best times down. Lopena, Thomas, and Noval will go head to head at the national open.
The Men’s 4×400 relay
Bagsit and Alejan 1-2 SEA Games beef up the relay teams’ chances in Singapore.
With the well of Filipino quarter-milers in no way short of going dry, we have the two best sprinters for both 2013, and 2014 who further backed this statistic by getting Gold and Silver last SEA Games. Bagsit (46.88) and Alejan (46.95).
Very eager to boost the strength of the team is Eric Cray the SEA Games 400 Hurdles champion; Asian Championship and Asian Games Finalist. Cray’s PB of 50.00 (give him at least 47.5 or faster time). The trio has all comfortably hit the criteria required for their respective individual events. Bagsit and Alejan (400 47.71 Standard) and Cray (400 51.79 standard).
Its a fierce fight with 2013 4×400 members of the Gold medal team Julius Nierras, 36, and 2013 UAAP Champion Isidro Del Prado Jr. facing a stiff challenge at the national open from several hungry young men including PRISAA Champion Joan Caido, PNG Silver medalist Ryan Bigyan and Jumper Harry Diones who have all been on the hunt this season during the PSC-PATAFA Weekly Relay series.
However, if we put together Bagsit, Cray, and Alejan that’s good for at least 46 each and surely another 47 runners from the list of names mentioned above running 47 give the team a solid time of 3:05. Below the National Record of 3:06.58, and a whopping 4! seconds faster than the 3:09 winning time in the 2013 SEA Games or even the 3:08 best time in Thailand (Del Prado, Alejan, Nierras, Bagsit).
No other SEA Games Nation has the luxury of even one 46-second runner, while we are blessed with two possibly three. As a majority with 2/4 athletes coach Lerma holds on as coach.
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Andrew was elected Vice President of the Association of Track and Field Statisticians in 2020 after being a member for 7 years.
He has worked as a PSC Consultant and Research Assistant from 2013-2015, Consultant, and Sprint Coach at Zamboanga Sports Academy from 2015-2017. And Currently is Consultant Coach with VMUF 2021-
Current editor and chief of Pinoyathletics.info, and has recently done consultancy work for Ayala Corp evaluating the Track and Field Program.
Coaches Sprints, Middle and Jump events he is Level 3 Athletics Australia Coaching Certification in Sprints and Hurdles.
Currently working towards a Masters Degree in Education.
He can be contacted on [email protected]
You can find more information on Coaching here
http://www.pinoyathletics.info/coaching-2/