Sports community mourns passing of 18-year-old track athlete Mark Dave Nicolas

The sports community is mourning the loss of rising track star Mark Dave Nicolas. He died at 18 years old.

The high school student's alma mater Adamson University announced the young athlete's death on social media on Wednesday, April 29.

The Office for Athletic Development and the Adamson University Community mourn the passing of Mark Dave Nicolas," the Facebook post read.

Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Mark Manotoc also wrote about Nicolas' passing on his Facebook page.

"To the late, great Mark Dave, I’ll never forget seeing your mom’s face after you smashed the record at our home stadium when we hosted Ilocos Norte - National Games 2025 and the prolonged mother-son embrace that touched all of our hearts," he wrote.

Manotoc added that while he may be gone too soon, he "earned [his] place among the greatest Ilokano Sportsmen and Women."

Manotoc then promised to take care of Nicolas' family to uphold his legacy. 

Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Marcos posted a tribute to Nicolas on Facebook, where she called Nicolas "a true pride of Ilocos Norte."

"You will be remembered for your passion, discipline, and sportsmanship," she added.

University Athletic Association of the Philippines likewise expressed grief over Nicolas' death. "The UAAP family is deeply saddened by the passing of Mark Dave Nicolas of the Adamson Boys’ Athletics Team,” the sports association wrote on Facebook. "We extend our sincerest condolences to his bereaved family, friends, and teammates."

The cause of his death was not disclosed.

Nicolas won his first gold at the Palarong Pambansa in 2025 after setting a new secondary boys' 800m race record of 1 minute and 53.20 seconds, breaking the 1:55.69 record by Salvador Garin Jr. in 2009.

As reported by the Philippine News Agency, Nicolas also won the 14th ASEAN Schools Games in the same year and has competed in the Philippine Athletics Open.