{"id":46628,"date":"2026-04-22T09:43:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T13:43:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insagrado.sagrado.edu\/?p=46628"},"modified":"2026-04-22T09:44:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T13:44:00","slug":"sagrado-charts-a-golden-path-to-the-2026-lai-sports-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/insagrado.sagrado.edu\/en\/sagrado-charts-a-golden-path-to-the-2026-lai-sports-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Sagrado Charts a Golden Path to the 2026 LAI Sports Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A new Dolphins delegation arrives at the LAI hungry for victory.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The basketball team celebrates a historic win on April 20. (Photo by G\u00e9nesis Ortiz, from Sagrado Sports)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

With just days to go before the start of the Interuniversity Athletic League (LAI) Sports Festival, the Dolphins of Universidad del Sagrado Coraz\u00f3n are gearing up for a campaign that promises to be historic. The Sagrado delegation arrives with experience, proven talent, and a strong drive to win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sagrado\u2019s representatives will compete in key disciplines including beach volleyball, track and field, swimming, basketball, and dance, with multiple programs projected to contend for podium finishes. Beyond results, their performance reflects the sustained growth of Sagrado\u2019s athletic program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Athletic Director Rafael Col\u00f3n, who marks five years leading the Athletics program, this moment is the result of consistent work. Under his leadership, the university has dominated the LAI Global Commissioner\u2019s Cup in its category and is once again positioned as a top contender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With runner-up teams determined to take the next step and athletes who have already set league records, Sagrado enters the festival in one of its most competitive phases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basketball<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The men\u2019s basketball team has already secured its place in Sagrado\u2019s recent history. For the first time since 1986, the Dolphins advanced to the LAI finals after a 70\u201367 victory over the Tigers of the Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by G\u00e9nesis Ortiz, from Sagrado Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The final series, beginning April 25 at the Palacio de Recreaci\u00f3n y Deportes in Mayag\u00fcez, places Sagrado back on the biggest stage in collegiate sports. Under head coach Eddin Santiago, with assistant Enrique Trenche, the Dolphins now set their sights on a podium finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beach Volleyball<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Under the leadership of head coach Eric Delgado, a key figure in the program\u2019s recent success, and assistant Ver\u00f3nica Hern\u00e1ndez, Sagrado\u2019s beach volleyball teams return to competition with a clear goal: reach the podium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the women\u2019s side, Alondra Javier Feliciano, Francheska Medina Merced, Yeiliz A. L\u00f3pez Mikasobe, and Valentina Cabanillas lead a strong and cohesive squad. On the men\u2019s side, Miguel Figueroa, Gabriel Rond\u00f3n, Pablo Rivera, Hediel Santana Garc\u00eda, and Sebasti\u00e1n Berr\u00edos Rodr\u00edguez are ready to take on the challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Track and Field<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The track and field team, led by Nathaniel Hern\u00e1ndez, will compete in qualifiers on Friday, May 1, and finals on Saturday, May 2. Particular attention will be on the 4×100 and 4×400 relays, where Sagrado projects a strong chance of reaching the podium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swimming<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
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\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dolphins on their third qualifying competition. (Photos by Nayomi Ortiz, from Sagrado Deportes)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From April 23 to 25, the long-course pool in Mayag\u00fcez will host one of Sagrado\u2019s most promising teams. Led by head coach Fernando Delgado, who brings more than three decades of experience in the league, alongside assistant Vanessa Morales, the team arrives following a standout short-course season and aims to dominate in long-course competition as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the athletes to watch is Daniela Pacheco, an international student from Venezuela and multiple-time MVP, who has already set records in previous seasons. Alongside her, team captain Michelle Ramirez of Honduras\u2014also an LAI MVP\u2014provides leadership and consistency as the team targets a championship finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the men\u2019s side, swimmers Rodolfo J. Falc\u00f3n Mojorrieta and Siul Ayala Qui\u00f1ones round out a roster with strong potential to contend for the title and continue elevating the university\u2019s competitive level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dance Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sagrado\u2019s Dance Team heads to Mayag\u00fcez with the mission of returning to the podium. Last year, the team missed third place by just half a point\u2014an outcome that has fueled their motivation this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Competing in both hip hop and jazz, the team is led by head coach Vivian Rodr\u00edguez, with assistant Dan Delgado (hip hop) and Amanda Alem\u00e1n (jazz). Under the leadership of captains Dianilette S\u00e1nchez and Fernando Mendoza Torres, the group is set to deliver a high-level performance on May 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flag Bearers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Beyond competition, Sagrado\u2019s flag bearers will play a leading role in the festival\u2019s parade, marking the closing of the university\u2019s participation. Under the coordination of Nicole Vega, the team has prepared throughout the semester to showcase Sagrado pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The success of this delegation reflects the commitment of coaches who embrace the institution\u2019s mission and the dedication of student-athletes who represent the heart of the program. Each performance adds to a growing athletic legacy. The Dolphins are ready to take on the challenge\u2014and leave their mark on the festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To see the full schedule, visit Sagrado Sports’ profiles on Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A new Dolphins delegation arrives at the LAI hungry for victory. With just days to go before the start of the Interuniversity Athletic League (LAI) Sports Festival, the Dolphins of Universidad del Sagrado Coraz\u00f3n are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":46612,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3696,3695,3674],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english-en","category-featured","category-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/insagrado.sagrado.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46628","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/insagrado.sagrado.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/insagrado.sagrado.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insagrado.sagrado.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insagrado.sagrado.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46628"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/insagrado.sagrado.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46628\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46648,"href":"https:\/\/insagrado.sagrado.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46628\/revisions\/46648"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insagrado.sagrado.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46612"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/insagrado.sagrado.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46628"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insagrado.sagrado.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46628"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insagrado.sagrado.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46628"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}