National track meet ends with a bang

The 2004 National Track and Field Championships, hosted by the Northern Marianas Track and Field Federation, came to close Tuesday afternoon at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field facility, but not before going out with a bang.

Unlike the events this past Saturday—first day of competition—the Tuesday session required teamwork as the only events remaining to close out the meet were the medley relays.

Like the 4X100M and 4X400MM relays, the medley features a team of four, however, instead of all four running the same distance, the first two would run for 100M, the third would run for 200M, while the fourth anchors with a 400M sprint.

Ageless wonder Tony Ichiou and rising sprinter Daryl Roligat–the two fastest sprinters in the competition—joined forces with veterans Ketson “Jack” Kabiriel and Robin Eugenio and smoked the men’s race, competing the task in a sterling time of 1:44.

Placing second was the team of Joe Galulu, Rommel Espera, Ivan D. and Marcan Aldan with a time of 1:54.

Leeroy Kani, Orrin Ogumoro, Dexter Dillay, and Andre Tenorio took third after clocking in at 2:11.86 while Earl Warren, Greg Iginoef, Jeremy Winkfield, and Vaughn Wonenberg finished fourth with a time of 2:13.49.

The women’s competition was topped by the team of Reylynn Sapong, Lia Rangamar, Jackie Wonenberg, and Jiovannie Sablan, who finished in 2:17 while Nicole Rios, Chariss Ruluked, Emy Oiterang, and Melissa Coleman clocked in two seconds later for second place.

Also featured in the competition was the mixed teams relay comprising of both men and women.

Team What’s Your Name, comprised of Nicole Lebria, Galulu, Jackie Wonenberg, Eugenio managed leave everyone in the dust after storming past the finish line in 54 seconds, while Roligat, Ichiou, Sablan, and Rangamar placed second in 55 seconds.

Rounding out the competition were Espera Rios, Oiterang, and Aldan with 55.74 seconds; followed by Kabiriel, Coleman, Vaughn Wonenberg, and Sapong with 57.07 seconds; and Steven Kim, Dan Barcinas, Grace Kimball, and Henry Elayda who finished a little over a minute.

Shortly after the race the NMITFF extended its appreciation to all the participants, spectators, as well as several contributers.

“We would like to thank all the participants and volunteers, and also recognize Rep. Ray Tebuteb and Rep. Martin Ada for assisting and contributing with drinks and tents,” said board member Elias Rangamar.

Rangamar also recognized the parents of participants as well as officials for their assistance, and 2004 Miss CNMI-World Tracy del Rosario for contributing with several refreshments.

In related news, the NMITFF announced that its Fall Island Relay would be held on August 28.

The event features three divisions—Elementary, Junior High, and High School—and is open to students from both public and private schools.

Also, the All Schools Preliminary Cross Country Trials will be held on September 18 while the next monthly NMITFF track meet will be held on September 25. The meet also serves as the Oceania Open and Under 18 trials.

More information on the three events will be released at a later date.