For the second year in a row, Mayagüez was the host city of the “Justas” of the Interuniversity Athletics League (LAI in Spanish). UPRM’s hometown proved once again to be an apt host for the yearly athletics tournament, but not without some drama (the strike! Girl power! A plethora of championship titles!). Here are some of the best and worst moments:
BEST: This hug between an athlete from UPRM and another athlete from UPR-Cayey.
Image via Pulso Estudiantil.
Ashley Laureano, who came in second representing UPRM, and Angeline Figueroa of UPR Cayey, who finished first, hugged it out after finishing the 5,000m run. Talk about sportsmanship!
WORST: Local bars and businesses charging for bathroom use (just…uncool)
As one of our writers, Christian Quintero, aptly put it: “way to summarize student abuse in a fiscal crisis than to charge them for disposing of their bodily fluids in a legally designated sanitation area.” Like, bye.
BEST: The Marching Band’s performance (featuring zombie extras!)
Seriously, is there a better marching band around?? SHOOK.
WORST: Octavio Acevedo being robbed of the gold in the 100m run
Image via Resistencia Deportiva.
After coming in first place in the 100m run, the event was recalled due to technical difficulties. After enduring the dash all over again, Acevedo was tied with UPR-RP’s Julio Segarra, and ultimately, Acevedo went home with the silver medal. Even the Student Council is still salty about it.
BEST: UPRM–LAI’s New Cheerleading Champs
The moment UPRM upset the 14-year champions, UPR Bayamón, to become the Cheerleading champions is one for the history books.
WORST: The IUPR International Students Scandal
Image via Metro Puerto Rico.
While the matter was eventually settled, at the beginning of the week, the LAI called out the Interamerican University (UIPR) for breaching the League’s rules and including three international athletes in their male and female athletics teams each, instead of the maximum of two. In turn, the UIPR sued the LAI, claiming that two of those athletes were already Puerto Rican nationals and, therefore, they did not break the rules. It was a brief but unfortunate footnote to the games, being the first time one of the 21 members of the LAI sued the organization, a breach of its basis for friendly competition.
BEST: Support from everywhere against the strikes to the UPR system.
At the athlete’s parade during the final day of the games, many athletes from each participating UPR institution expressed their rejection of the budget cuts for the UPR.
Even though UPR’s campuses faced tense albeit friendly competition throughout the week, in the end all students held a united front against the cuts. Even more heartwarming, athletes and students from other universities also showed their support.
WORST: Local Bars Spiking Up Prices
Listen, we understand how supply and demand works. Local bars want to make the most out of this crowded weekend, and throwing out deals and spiking prices a little is part of how they profit. But it’s disingenuous when local bars which thrive from their approachable cost (and many of which are student-owned!) water down drinks for the same regular price, host ridiculously expensive open bars, and double their regular prices for cocktails and beers. And to top it off, many charged customers and passers-by to use the bathroom.
BEST: GIRL POWER
Image via Huella Deportiva.
UPRM received championship titles in Women’s Judo and Soccer and sub-championship titles in Women’s Basketball, Soccer and Softball. UPRM women also received gold medals in Swimming and Athletics events such as the 300m obstacle, the javelin throw and launching. Also, a shoutout to UPRM Dance Team member Lorena Hernández, who fractured her nose mid-performance and kept going anyway. As we all know now, UPRM resulted as sub-champion in that category. ICONIC.
Colegio’s female athletes hard work and stellar performance paid off: with a total 373 points, they resulted the victors of the overall Women’s Branch Global Cup. Needless to say, these fierce bulldogs gave a new meaning to this phrase: Ante, ahora y siempre…¡COLEGIO!