WPS, Tinian strong in XC

Whispering Palms School and Tinian Elementary School recorded impressive performances during Saturday’s 2006 All Schools Cross Country Championships at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort.

With many-time winner Ryan Baron leading the way, Whispering Palms was able to take home the title in the boys’ 10-11 age group, while Reynalynn Borja pushed the Tinian runners to the top of the girls’ division.

Baron, who has dominated distance running in his age group the past years, continued to shine as he completed the one-mile challenge ahead of all competitors as he clocked in at 9:04.

The 11-year-old had tough competition, though, as Angelo Jones of Saipan International School put up a good charge and crossed the finish line just a second behind in 9:05.

Whispering Palms runners R.J. Knecht and Jake Lee took third and fourth place with times of 9:41 and 11:04, while Rafael Jones of SIS grabbed the number five spot in 11:05.

For their part, Christian Miller and Crosby Schultz finished in 11:17 and 20:26 to place sixth and seventh.

Whispering Palms was the only school to suit up at least five runners and meet the eligibility requirement to compete in the team competition. With that, the team easily cruised to claiming the championship trophy.

For their part, the Tinian Elementary School girls were also the only ones to meet the five-person team competition requirement, thus, grabbing the title in the girls’ category.

Borja was solid for the neighbors from the south as she raced ahead of the competition and completed the task in just 10:36.

Although only having one runner compete, Whispering Palms School was well represented, as Michaela Grandinetti pushed hard to finish in second place with a time of 10:42.

Tinian then swept the remaining finishes as Barcelina Baza took third in 11:35, Marynita Cepeda fourth in 11:36, Myrese Cruz fifth in 13:05, Marissa San Nicolas sixth in 13:21, and Samantha Wedding seventh in 13:22.

The Championships served as the finale for the 2006 All Schools Cross Country Series. The Series featured three tune-up races—two held on Saipan and the other on Tinian.

The event was organized by Northern Marianas Athletics and sponsored by UMDA.

The event also included competition in the 9-and-under, 13-14, and 18-and-under age groups.