NMA fetes top athletes of 2008

Northern Marianas Athletics honored 16 individuals who made significant performances last season during the NMA Annual Awards Banquet at the Minatchom Atdao Pavilion Thursday night.

Named 2008 NMA Athletes of the Year in their respective age groups were Neghar Rastguiy and Maxten Doone (8-and-under); Gabrielle Race and Jesse Brel (10-and-under); Ilia Corella and Angelo Jones (12-and-under); Lia Rangamar, Damart Teregeyo, and Brandon Phillip (14-and-under); Jacque Wonenberg, Jenequa Benavente, and Jeusus Iguel (18-and-under); and Yvonne Bennett and Tyrone Omar (Open). Long distance runners Jack Kabiriel and Mamiko Oshima-Berger were selected Road Runners of the Year, and together with the Athletes of the Year in various age groups, they received trophies from NMA president Kurt Barnes and vice president Lou Wabol.

Secretary general and treasurer Robin Sapong, director of marketing and sponsorship Gabriel White, director of coaches’ development Elias Rangamar, and NMA volunteers were also present at the awards ceremony.

Rasguiy of Whispering Palms and Doone of Dandan Elementary School were cited for their first place finishes in the 800m and 1500m races (Rastguiy) and 200m run and softball throw (Doone) during the 2008 McDonald’s All Schools Championships.

Race was also a force in the All Schools meet winning the 400m and 800m races and claiming the 1600m race victory in the All Schools Cross Country Championships for the third time, while Brel of Kagman Elementary School triumphed in the 100m, 200m, and 800m runs.

Corella of Whispering Palms topped the 200m and 400m runs and placed third in the long jump in the All Schools meet, while Jones ruled the 800m, 1500m, and 3000m races and finished third in 400m run in the All Schools, and the won, anew in the 1600m cross country.

Rangamar made her mark in the All Schools, but her more significant performance came in the 2008 Oceania Area Championships where she won a bronze medal in the U18 women’s heptathlon.

Teregeyo tied Phillip in the boys’ 14-and-under plum after two first place finishes [discuss and shot put] and two runner-ups [javelin and high jump] in All Schools. Phillip won three events (100m and 200m races, and long jump) in the same tournament.

Benavente had two first place finishes (discus and shot put and two second (high jump and javelin) to share honors with Wonenberg, who gave the CNMI a gold medal in the heptathlon event in the Oceania meet in June.

Iguel of Kagman High School took the honors in the boys’ 18-and-under after his outstanding performance in the All Schools and active participation in the Oceania championships.

Fellow Kagman student Bennett was cited for her record-breaking performances in the area championships, while Omar was also recognized for his remarkable efforts in the same event.

Kabiriel and Oshima-Berger won their second straight Road Runner trophies after dominating middle and long distance races in the CNMI.