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    NCAA D1 track athletes Lauren Hoffman, Angel Frank debut for PH in Asiad

    The Fil-Am sprinters team up in the 4x400m relay
    Oct 2, 2023
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    PHOTO: Duke, South Carolina website

    TWO NCAA Division I products are set to make their debut for the Philippine athletics team in the 19th Asian Games.

    Duke University graduate Lauren Hoffman and University of South Carolina alumnus Angel Frank will be competing in their first Asiad, excited to carry the country’s colors for the first time.

    The two won titles in the National Open in Ilagan last March, but it will be the first time they will compete for the country internationally. Both athletes are honored to represent the Philippines in the quadrennial competition following their college stints.

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    “Two of the strongest people in my life, my mother and lola, are Filipina women,” the 24-year-old Hoffman told SPIN.ph. “I knew I wanted to inspire other Filipinas the same way my role models inspired me. It was a long journey but I’m so grateful that I am finally able to compete for the country I love.”

    Hangzhou Asian Games

    “It means a lot to me because it allows me to reconnect to my Filipino heritage, culture and represent my family on the world stage,” said Frank, 22. “Now that I have competed at the youth and collegiate level, I feel confident about my professional athletic career.”

    In her final year with Duke during the 2021-2022 season, Hoffman claimed the bronze in the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 400m hurdles, clocking a school record 55.47 seconds.

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    Hoffman is also ranked No. 6 in the 400m hurdles in the United States before making a decision to represent the Philippines.

    It was during her sophomore year that the chance to compete for the Philippines opened up.

    “During my sophomore year of college I realized I had the potential to compete professionally after college. That was when I knew that I wanted to compete for the Philippines. I ran 57.9 that year and the Philippine record at the time was 57.57, so that was when I started looking into the citizenship process,” said Hoffman.

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      Frank competed for South Carolina during the NCAA Division I track and field championships a few months ago.

      “My grandmother grew up in Southern Leyte and my father was born in Manila. When my father was young they moved to the US. I have ran track for over 10 years and knew of the opportunity I had to run for since I was very little. In my last years of university I began to really seek out this opportunity. It was a long journey for me to but means the world now to be able to compete under the Filipino flag. I am glad to join the team at the age I am now because I feel that I am ready mentally,” said Frank.

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      The two athletes have been putting on the work before the Asian Games, knowing the high level of competition they will be facing.

      “The preparation was a little different from most of my outdoor meets. Unlike other meets, for a while, I wasn’t sure if I would be competing here in China and it is very late in to the season. The last time I competed was in July in Eugene, Oregon where I placed 6th at the USATF Championships. So I haven’t competed in a while but we’ve been focusing on staying in shape and keeping our speed sharp,” said Hoffman.

      “The preparation has been really good as I am under new coach. I believe that he has prepared me well to compete my best,” Frank said.

      Hoffman and Frank are already enjoying the Asiad experience, getting acquainted with the Philippine team including pole vaulter EJ Obiena, who recently won the gold medal in his event.

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      “We have gotten to meet the team here in the [Athletes’] Village and it has been a lot of fun getting to know everyone and adds to the excitement to all be here together. Meeting and being on the same team with EJ is really awesome and is in inspiring to compete alongside the best in the world,” Frank said.

      “The team is amazing. I’ve known some of them for a while and they are all making this meet really fun. EJ is great. He and I have talked many times over the phone and he has given me a lot of advice about pursuing professional track, so he has been very helpful in my transition to my professional career. It is an honor to be on the same team as him because I really look up to him,” said Hoffman.

      The two Filipinas will be seeing action in the 4x400m relay where they hope to get a finish that would be enough for a podium.

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      “I’ll be up against some competitive women but I am confident in my ability to podium,” said Hoffman, who will also compete in the 400m hurdles. “A lot of my competitors have personal bests in the 55s or lower so I know we will be pushing each other, but I know I am capable of a medal. I also think our 4x400 relay can medal if everyone executes their leg well. I’m excited to compete and give it everything I’ve got.”

      “In the 4x400 I think that we have a chance. I am feeling pretty confident and I think that is one of the most important things coming into a race,” said Frank, who will also be in action in the 4x400m mixed relay.

      FilAm Sports is supporting Hoffman and Frank in their campaign in the Asiad.

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

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      PHOTO: Duke, South Carolina website
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