Originally published at Orange County Catholic
STUDENT ATHLETES OFTEN HAVE TO juggle sports with the demands of academics and a social life. It can be a very intimidating atmosphere and for some, and it may be challenging to stay humble amidst success.
BIANCA BATANG IS AN EIGHTH-GRADE STUDENT AT BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN WESTMINSTER WHO EXCELS IN COMPETITIVE SWIMMING. PHOTOS COURTESY OF NIKKI BATANG
For Bianca Batang, the intimidation can be difficult as she progresses in her competitive swim abilities, but she stays strong thanks to her Catholic faith.
“I feel it strengthens me,” Bianca said. “I have to be humble about it. I don’t want to start bragging to others if I beat them and make them feel so bad, so I just stay humble.”
Bianca is an eighth-grade student at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in Westminster and recently started competing at the national level. At the local level, the 14-year-old holds seven records in the Orange County Parochial Athletic League (PAL) and is hoping to set more milestones during her final swim meet this spring before she goes on to bigger things.
“I’m going to be sad,” she shared. “I just really want to compete for my school, so I’m going to
