Mini Games athletics qualifier tomorrow

The Northern Mariana Islands Track and Field Federation confirmed that it would host an All Comers Meet tomorrow at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field facility.

The meet will serve as a qualifier for the upcoming South Pacific Mini Games in Palau this summer. NMITFF official Elias Rangamar, however, disclosed that youths can compete in divisions for individuals under the age of 11.

Registration for the monthly qualifier meet is set for 1:30pm while the first events will get underway at 2pm. Rangamar said the action will kick off with field events.

Runners in both the men’s and women’s categories will compete for supremacy in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, and 4X100m relay.

Meanwhile, the field events consist of the shotput, discus, and javelin throws as well as the long jump.

No awards will be presented as the meet only serves as a qualifier for the Mini Games in Palau.

Officials will make their selection of the two athletes that will represent the Commonwealth in Palau based on a point system.

Another monthly qualifier—the last before the selection—will be held next month. Details will be announced at a later date.

Rangamar also disclosed that the NMITFF would hold a meeting with all coaches or individuals conducting training for athletes that will compete in the All Schools Championships on May 7.

“We’re going to meet and finalize the scheduling of the preliminaries,” he said. “Also, we will decide when the introductory course will be held.”

The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22, 4pm at the Gilbert C. Ada conference room.

Due to the enormous number of athletes, all interested must compete to earn slots in the May 7 finals. Time trials begin on April 5 and continue to April 30 at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field facility.

During the trials, athletes will compete against athletes from other schools for the right to advance in 14 different events.

Also, four age groups have been set, such as nine-and-under, 11-and-under, 13-and-under, and 18-and-under.

Running events include 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, and two relays, while other events include long jump, shotput, discus, softball throw, and javelin.

For more information, contact 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.