Qualifiers to be finalized today

The Northern Mariana Islands Track and Field Federation released a list of athletes that qualified for the upcoming McDonald’s All Schools Track and Field Championships yesterday, however, the six available slots in each event has yet to be officially filled as of press time due to several changes.

NMITFF officials and coaches from the participating Saipan schools had a meeting yesterday, where the list was provided to the schools for comment. As of press time, the official list was yet to be finalized.

Several athletes were scratched from races after notification from coaches that they won’t be able to participate, resulting in a change in the qualifiers.

Athletes from various schools on island have competed in the 9-and-under, 11-and-under, 13-and-under, and 18-and-under qualifying time trials of each event at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field facility for the past month in hopes of securing one of the available six slots.

A total of eight slots for each event are up for grabs, however, NMITFF officials have already designated two slots for Rota and Tinian, leaving six for Saipan athletes.

Boys and girls in each age category will battle for supremacy in events such as the 100m and 200m sprints, shot put, softball throw, discus, long jump, high jump, javelin, 800m, and 1,500m, among others.

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 Championships will finally take center stage this Saturday, May 7.

All participants are urged to be at the site of the event by 7:30am for an opening ceremony and parade.

The top three finishers in each event 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 get six points, fourth get four points, fifth gets two points, and sixth place two points.

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.