NMI XC runners do well in Guam

The eight runners representing the CNMI in the Asia Pacific Invitational High School Cross Country competition on Guam did well and got invaluable experience that will contribute to their development as distance runners.

This according to Northern Marianas Athletic secretary general Robin Sapong, who said in an interview yesterday that the runners from Marianas High School and Saipan Southern High School did well considering their lack of exposure to big regional events compared to other runners at the meet.

Among the schools the group competed against were American School in Japan, the International School of the Sacred Heart, Seoul International School, Brent International School, Christian Academy in Japan, Seoul Foreign School, Simon Sanchez High School, Shanghai American School, Seisen International School, Hong Kong International School, John F. Kennedy High School, International Christian School of Hong Kong, St. Mary’s International School, Guam High School and Yongsan International School of Seoul, and host George Washington High School.

On Friday, 93 runners took part in the first of two competitions as they tackled a tough 5-kilometer challenge at the Asan Beach Park.

The first NMI runner to cross the finish line was Nate Mateo of MHS, as he finished 40th overall with a time of 20:02, while teammate Champ Untalan clocked in at 20:12 for 42nd place.

SSHS’ David Bautista finished in 21:24.89 for 63rd place, while MHS’ Matt Manacao placed 78th in 22:26.18. Saipan Southern’s Gary Camacho placed 75th in 22:14.66, while Vince Teregeyo of Marianas High placed 85th in 23:20.51. Har Tim Williams of Marianas High finished 90th in 23:47, while Irwin Babauta of Saipan Southern finished 92nd in 23:56.88.

Guzman Kazuki of Seoul Foreign School took first place with an impressive time of 17:33.61. David Townsell, who ran for Guam in the 6th Micronesian Games, placed third in 17:47.68.

MHS placed 12th in the team competition, with Mateo and Untalan beating all runners from the 10th and 11th place teams. Saipan Southern only had three runners so the group did not qualify to place in the team competition.

“They ran on a trail and it was pretty tough,” Sapong said. “It was hot at first, but then midway through, it began to rain really hard and the wind was strong.”

The Marianas High School runners then took part in the relay competition the next day, joining forces with students from Seisen International School for the co-ed event.

Eight runners took part in the relay for each team, with the first six running tackling a 1.6-mile challenge, two challenging a 1.9-mile course, and two working on a 2.3-mile course.

Untalan was the first runner for the team, and was the fourth runner to complete the first leg.

The relay rules required that boys and girls alternate.

The group returned to Saipan yesterday.