Mateo, Wang ahead in McDonald’s middle distance

While many have entered and put in their bids to qualify in the short distance events, several have showcased their desire to challenge the longer course, competing in the 1,500m event of the McDonald’s All Schools Track and Field Championships time trials at the Oleai Sprots Complex track and field facility.

Currently ahead of the pack in the boys 18-and-under category is Marianas High School’s Nate Mateo, who paced himself well and completed the almost four-lap race in a sterling 5:20:00. The MHS Dolphins have five runners in the top six, with Seth Hocking and Dan Mateo holding the No. 2 and 3 spots with times of 5:23:06 and 5:50:72. Jonathan Salas of Kagman High School is currently fourth after clocking in at 5:53:57 while the Dolphins’ Joseph Fejeran and Billy Joe Dela Cruz cap the top six with 6:28:28 and 6:37:70. On the outside looking in is Chad Merfalen of MHS, who sports a time of 8:14:64.

For her part, well-known youth middle distance master Bo Wang of MHS continues her hold of the top spot in the girls 18-and-under category, dominating the field for a time of 5:24:94. Following in second was Chang Wang of Hopwood Junior High School and Keisha Paez of MHS with times of 5:58:78 and 6:53:81. Sonia Castro of KHS sports the fourth fastest time after clocking in at 6:55:89.

Meanwhile, Saipan Community School’s Champ Untalan and Rezne Wong top the chart in the 13-and-under boys, finishing with the top two times in the 1,500m with 5:50:51 and 5:54:53.

Also featured in the trials is the 4X100m relay, which is currently topped by the MHS speedsters in the 18-and-under category. World Youth Championships and World Championships-bound Darrel Roligat teamed up with Ivan Devero, Nate Mateo, and Wylie Paez to string up a lighting-quick time of 51.43 seconds, and are almost three seconds faster than the KHS Ayuyus team of Salas, Mario Patrinus, Frank Dillay, and Anthony Delos Reyes, who sport a time of 54.15 seconds.

So far, only one team has put up an effort in the girls corner, with KHS punching in a time of 1:10.28. The team comprises of Arrian Cepeda, Eunise Ogumoro, Alejandra Indalecio, and Sonia Castro.

Leading the 13-and-under boys are Jarvis Beltau, Jay Charley, Branson Kladikm, and Jude Charfauros of Tanapag Elementary School with a time of 1:07.13, while Hopwood Junior High School’s Jackie Wonenberg, Kayla Seman, Maria Con-Ui, and Chang Wang lead the girls after working the baton past the finish line in 1:02.50.

Currently in second in the girls competition is TES after Liberty Garde, Hermina Kelley, Cita Tito, and Daveyann Iguel combined for a time of 1:12.98.

Only the top six Saipan athletes in each event will advance to the Championships set to unfold on May 7. The final two slots have been reserved for athletes from Tinian and Rota. None of the slots will be officially filled until the end of the trials.