Make up for McDonald’s athletics trials set

The time trials for the McDonald’s All Schools Track and Field Championships has been going on for the past month and was originally scheduled to conclude today, however, because several sessions were postponed due to rain, the Northern Mariana Islands Track and Field Federation has scheduled two make-up days that will serve as the final opportunity for athletes to make a push to qualify for the May 7 Championships.

According to the NMITFF, the first make up trial will be held tomorrow at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field facility.

Athletes from all boys and girls age groups—9-and-under, 11-and-under, 13-and-under, and 18-and-under—will begin their final shot at 9:30am, which will mark the start of the 1,500m run, long jump, and the shotput.

Athletes will then compete in the 100m beginning at 10am, followed by the 800m, discus, and high jump at 10:20am. The high jump, though, will only feature athletes in the 13-and-under and 18-and-under age groups.

All athletes can then take part in the 400m race which is set to start at 10:40am.

The 13-and-under and 18-and-under participants of the javelin will have their shot at 10:45am, while athletes in the same age groups competing in the 200m sprint will begin their charge at 11am.

The day will be capped with competition for all age groups in the 4X100m and 4X400m relays.

The second make-up session will be held on Monday, May 2, and will feature only athletes from the 9-and-under and 11-and-under age groups.

The activities begin at 4pm with the 100m sprint, followed by the 400m and the long jump at 4:20pm.

Middle distance runners will then challenge the 1,500m event at 4:40pm, while sprinters will get back on the track at 5:10pm for the 200m.

The trials caps off with the 4X100m and 4X400m relays.

As reported earlier, only six slots are available for Saipan athletes in each event. The other two slots have been reserved for Tinian and Rota competitors.

Each athlete is allowed to compete in only four events. Athletes in the 9-and-under and 11-and-under age groups who participate in either the 800m or 1,500m events will be allowed to take part in two events only.

The top three finishers in each event in the May 7 Championships will each receive a medal while the school with the most points in each age category will go home with the championship trophy.

Points will be based on the individual placing of a school representative in each event, with first place receiving 10 points. Second place receives eight points, third gets six points, fourth gets four points, fifth gets two points, and sixth place two points.

The NMITFF advises all participants and coaches to gather at the facility at least 30 minutes to an hour prior to the start o the first event for registration.

For more information, contact Elias Rangamar at 664-2502 or via email at eli_rang@yahoo.com, NMITFF president Kurt Barnes at 234-5498 ext. 1008 or email at kurtb@nmcnet.edu, or federation treasurer Robin Sapong at sapong@vzpacifica.net.