SIS sweeps ES, MS girls division in last qualifier

Saipan International School is the top contender of the cross country season as they swept the elementary school and middle school girls division of the last PSS/NMA All Schools Cross Country 2023-2024 qualifier—the Kagman High School Invitational at ChaCha Ocean View Middle School—last Saturday.

The Baby Geckos won first place in the elementary school girls division by a longshot of 13 points; second place went to Brilliant Star School with 35 points; and Grace Christian Academy was third place with 77 points.

For the elementary school boys division, the Baby Geckos took first place with 23 points; followed by BSS at 52 points; and GCA with 73 points.

In the middle school girls division, the Lady Geckos tore up the course and won with 12 points; Agape Christian School came in second with 56 points; and Saipan Community School was third with 58 points.

Top 3 in the elementary school girls individual standings, SIS’ Kaylen Taflinger came in with a time of 7:27.76; followed by SIS’ Isla Grant at 7:39.40; and BSS’ Lovel Spaeth came was third with a time of 7:51.17.

In the elementary school boys individual standings, GTC’s Orion Garde topped it with a time of 7:11.40; second was SIS’ Ezra West at 7:13.46; and third place went to GCA’s Beau Bauer.

In the middle school girls individual standings, SIS runners made the Top 3. Adalee Taflinger came in first with a time of 13:46.27; second was Eliza Culp at 15:38.17; and third place was Leilani Ruszala who clocked in at 15:59.76.

For BSS’ team, which had made the podium in each qualifier, principal Terra Allen said “Our boys team has done very well. Both teams have consistently been in 2nd place, with one boys first place win. They have consistently been impressed by their stamina and endurance! They seem to love running! We hope for a few top finishes in the championships!”

The BSS team consists of runners 5 years old and up. They have three 5-year-olds, three 6-year-olds, and two 7-year-olds. LoVel Spaeth has been leading the girls races—coming in first in three of four races.

The 3-mile course for the high school cross country wrapped around ChaCha Middle School, Kagman Elementary School, up to Forbidden Island Lookout, and back to the elementary school. The middle school, 2-mile course wrapped around the elementary and middle school campuses twice, while the 1-mile elementary school course wrapped around once.

The championships is set for 6:30am this Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Saipan Country Club.