Athletes begin push for McDonald’s slots

First of three parts

Athletes from various Saipan schools have already begun their push for the six available slots in each event for the upcoming McDonald’s All-Schools Track and Field Championships.

After a week of qualifying time trials at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field facility, World Championship and World Youth Championship-bound Darrel Roligat of Marianas High School currently holds the top spots in the high school boys’ 100m and 200m events, however, none of the slots have been officially filled as the trials will continue until April 29. The six best performances in each event at the conclusion of the trials will advance to the May 7 Championships.

The trials also features athletes from the elementary and junior high school divisions.

Roligat finished the 100m in 12.04 seconds and was followed by Mt. Carmel School’s Dan Barcinas and Saipan Southern High School’s Lester Babauta, who clocked in at 12.22 and 12.35 seconds. SSHS’s Leonardo Apelo and Manny Quitano, and Jeff Deleon Guerrero of MCS currently hold the three remaining slots.

Roligat and Barcinas also hold the top two spots in the 200m, with Roligat completing the event in 23.6 seconds and Barcinas in 24.57. Steven Kim of MCS, Leroy Rangamar and Apelo of SSHS, and Wylie Paez of MHS currently post the third to sixth fastest times.

Currently leading the girls’ 100m is Jhoanna Omar and Lourdes Mack of SSHS, with Omar posting a time of 15.15 seconds and Mack 15.68 seconds. Janet Guiao and Willet Reiman of Kagman High School and Anicia Yaisewil and Nichole Rios of SSHS currently fill the remaining slots.

For her part, Hopwood Junior High School’s Jackie Wonenberg leads the 200m pack in the 18-and-under class, sporting a time of 30.16 seconds, while teammate Maria Con-Ui and Kayla Atalig post the next two best times after clocking in at 32.69 and 35.1. Sonia Castro and Alejandra Indalecio are next in line with times of 36.63 and 36.72.

Apelo leads the boys’ long jump category, recording a distance of 5.29 meters, while Quitano and Herbert Parr, also of SSHS, sport distances of 5.24 and 5.13. Currently in fourth and fifth are John Santos and Frank Epen of Kagman High School with 4.97 and 4.89. Babauta follows at 4.83.

The girls’ competition, meanwhile, is currently led by Maria Aldan of SSHS with a jump of 3.26, while Airrian Cepeda of KHS and Yaisewil follow at 2.81 and 2.32.

Mario Patrinus of KHS and Sylvan Rangamar of SSHS lead the boys shotput after muscling distances of 9.09 and 8.25 meters, while Lei Rangamar of MHS and Gloria Rogolifoi of KHS are on top of the girls category with throws of 8.03 and 7.19. Raquel Ogumoro and Heather Camacho of KHS are in third and fourth with 6.96 and 6.53, while Noeleen Limerseolmal of MHS follows with a distance of 5.75.

Sylvan Rangamar stands on top of the boys discus, leading Roligat and Patrinus with a distance of 27.08. Roligat and Patrinus sport distances of 26.1 and 21.1.

Lei Rangamar, Rogolifoi, and Ogumoro also lead the girls discus, with Lei throwing for 23.98, Rogolifoi for 20.65, and Ogumoro for 19.29. Ivonne Mullins of SSHS (14.68), Limerseolmal (12.58), and Camacho (11.49) followed.