Teams must earn slots for All Schools

Schools on Saipan will have to earn their slots if they wish to sport representatives in the May 7 All Schools Track and Field Championships.

All athletes representing their schools must compete in the time trials set by the Northern Mariana Islands Track and Field Federation at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field facility.

According to the NMITFF, the trials, which begins on April 5, will determine which athletes will fill the six available slots in each event. The other two slots belong to a representative from Tinian and Rota.

With that, the NMITFF has released a schedule for each of the four age groups to compete in the time trials.

The first session for the nine-and-under and 11-and-under age groups will be held from April 5 to April 7 as they battle in the 100m, 200m, 1500m, 4X100m relay, and the long jump. The two groups return to the track and compete from April 11 to April 13 in the 400m, 800m, 4X400m relay, and softball throw.

The high school division, with athletes in the 18-and-under age group, and junior high school, with athletes 13-and-under, will then put their skills to the test on April 8, competing to qualify for slots in their divisions in the 100m, 200m, 1500m, 4X100m relay, discuss, shot put, and long jump.

Their trial continues on April 14 and 15 with action in the 400m, 800m, high jump, javelin, and 4X400m relay.

The two younger age groups will be back on the track in hopes of proving their stuff from April 18 to 20, showcasing their push in the 100m, 200m, 1,500m, 4X100m relay, and long jump.

Their qualifying round ends after three more days of action from April 25 to 27, with battles in the 400m, 800m, 4X400m relay, and softball throw.

The junior high and high school athletes will square off again from April 21 to 22 in the 100m, 200m, 1500m, discus, shot put, long jump, and 4x100m relay.

The junior high students have their final chance on April 28 with action in the 400m, 800m, 4X100m and 4X400M relays, high jump, and javelin.

The trials officially come to a close on April 29 after high school athletes make their final charge in the 400m, 800m, 4X400m and 4X400m relays, high jump, and javelin.

Also, the NMITFF announced that each athlete is allowed to compete in only four events. Athletes in the in the nine-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 schools will be awarded trophies, while medals will be presented to the top three finishers in each event.

A point system will determine the final standings of each school, with the each school receiving 10 points for every first place finish, eight for second place, six for third place, four for fourth place, two for fifth place, and one for sixth place.

In related news, the NMITFF reminds the public to adhere to all rules of the track and field facility in hopes of keeping the facility in good conditions and preventing unnecessary injuries.

The facility is open for public use from 7:30am to 4pm and 6:30pm to 9pm daily. Only athletes currently training for the South Pacific Mini Games or other athletic meets are allowed on the track between 4pm and 6:30pm.

Those using the track must use proper footwear, preferably running shoes. Other footwear may cause damage to the surface of the oval. Pets are not allowed within the facility and the use of bicycles, skateboards, baby strollers, and rollerblades are prohibited.

Also, recreational runners and walkers are urged to use only lanes six to eight, while lanes one to five are reserved for athletes in training and competition.

For more information, contact Elias Rangamar at 664-2502.