ACS, SIS repeats in HS divisions

The second PSS/NMA All Schools Cross-Country 2024-2025 qualifier-Run Saipan Invitational at the American Memorial Park was a stark contrast to the first as dark clouds loomed over the course that was littered with puddles and slippery grass.

Even with that, 468 cross-country runners took to the course last Saturday morning, as repeat winners in the 18U high school divisions—Agape Christian School Torchbearers and Saipan International School Lady Geckos took center stage once again.

The Torchbearers burned brightly with a score of 22 through the new 3-mile course that started and ended at the AMP softball field, onto the loop road, exited toward the beach, through the wooded area, then back to the path.

Second was the Marianas High School Dolphins with 34 points; third was SIS at 36; Saipan Southern High School had 68; and Mount Carmel School collected 86 points.

For the girls division, the Lady Geckos garnered 16 points; ACS’ score was 22; and the Lady Dolphins had 47.

In the boys individual standings, Victor Nash Santos of SIS came in first once again with a time of 19:11; ACS’ Jireh Wang was second at 19:39; and third was MHS’ Takeru Jim who clocked in at 19:55.

In the girls individual standings, it was a close race towards the finish as SIS’ Addalee Taflinger sprinted into first place with a time of 23:03, with Andrei Kaithlyn Chavez right behind at 23:04. Third was ACS’ Sablina Chen at 26:17.

Santos, after the race of the new course, said “it was a whole different experience. It’s my second time running on sand in a race ever, but I ran this course a few days ago so I was more familiar with it and that was an advantage that helped me.”

On his second first-place finish in a row, he said, “I just kept pushing. I always have this mindset—did I do better than the last? I always try to be faster than the lap I just did.”

In an email, according to Dr. Ron Snyder, SIS headmaster and coach as well as meet director, “This is the closest thing to a North American or European cross-country meet we have. It has grassy areas, wooded areas, a strip along the beach, a pole obstacle to jump over, and paved sections. All that we are missing is a mud pit but the grassy areas might get a little muddy.”

The next qualifier is the SIS Gecko 5000 at Banzai Cliff is on Sept. 28; the ISA Invitational with the location to be determined is on Oct. 5; and the championship is set for Oct. 12 at the Saipan Country Club at Saipan Vegas.

Results of the 14U middle school and 9U and 12U elementary school divisions will be posted in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.