The Philippine Skating Union on Facebook also congratulated Macaraeg, the first Filipino speed skater to compete in the Winter Youth Olympics, for joining UCLA, a school known for its athletics program mostly on basketball, football, and track and field.
Macaraeg, who used to play iced hockey in his youth, may maximize his speed skating at UCLA through the help of its athletic training and resources though it is still unknown if he has joined a club yet.
UCLA’s winter sports include ice hockey and figure skating.
Macaraeg attended the Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School and currently trains under Ukrainian coach Serhiy Lifyrenko in New York’s lone speed skating club Flushing Meadows Speed Skating Club.