By The Star Staff
Nelson Guilbe Morales, participating in his first Pan American Games, won a medal in the pommel horse event in Santiago, Chile earlier this week.
“I haven’t processed it yet. It doesn’t feel real,” the 21-year-old athlete said in a written statement. “I have given everything to get this medal.”
His routine earned him 14,133 points and surpassed competitors from the United States.
Alexander Rodríguez assisted Guilbe Morales during the competition.
“After 16 years, I got a medal,” Rodríguez said. “I feel the same pressure [as his teammate].”
Guilbe Morales joins a group of gymnasts from Puerto Rico who have won medals in the pommel horse apparatus. Other members of this group are Mario González, Luis Felipe Tingui Vargas, Luis Rivera and Rodríguez.
“Nelson has a short career, but he shows maturity in his training,” said the veteran Rodríguez, who also offered some words of recommendation: “Maintaining your position is more difficult than winning medals. Be persistent. Always believe in yourself. From now on I wish you success.”
Navas, González, Romano & Miclau stand out
The Puerto Rican beach volleyball duo of Allanis Navas and María González advanced to the quarterfinals earlier this week after beating Ecuador. Meanwhile, in aquatics, Kristen Romano and Elizabeth Miclau also secured their spots in the swimming and diving finals, respectively.
González and Navas triumphed in two sets with scores
The Puerto Ricans were to face Canada in the quarterfinals, at a time yet to be determined. This is the fourth time that Puerto Rico has competed in women’s beach volleyball at the Pan American Games. In Guadalajara 2011, Yarleen Santiago and Yamileska Yantín earned the first medal for the island in the sport.
Romano, meanwhile, qualified for the 400-meter medley final with a time of 4 minutes, 52.48 seconds. In diving, Miclau secured her place in the final of the 3-meter springboard event with a score of 234.70.
In other results, swimmer Jarod Arroyo did not advance to the A final of the 400 meter medley after clocking a 4:29.00, but was to compete in the B final.
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