So far so good for host CNMI

CNMI National Athletics Team head coach Elias Rangamar is mighty proud of his team that saw action in the 2008 Oceania Grand Prix and is expecting more surprises from his wards in the 2008 Oceania Championships, which unfolds today.

Rangamar, who also serves as developmental coach of Northern Marianas Athletics, said by his estimate five national records have so far fallen by the wayside following the first two days of competition.

Yvonne Bennett has been nothing short of spectacular for the host island, as she has two third place finishes in the 200m and 400m to her credit. To top that off, her times in the two events, plus the 100m, are all national records.

The pride of Kagman ran the 100m in 13.13, the 200m in 26.82, and the 400m in 61.34.

Another teenager making waves for the CNMI is all-around track athlete Jacque Wonenberg. Rangamar said Wonenberg broke the CNMI record in the triple jump after leaping 9.59m in the Grand Prix’s first day.

Jenequa Benavente accounts for the fifth national record to fall so far in the competition, as her 34.38m throw obliterated the old mark held by Rangamar’s own wife, Dolores.

Coach Rangamar said he is happy how the CNMI’s next generation of track and field athletes are holding their own against the likes of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, and New Caledonia.

“For us to be at least competing well against them I’m really happy. We’re really getting a lot of good competition. We are going up against established powerhouses in Oceania. These guys are established programs and we are doing OK.

“Like I always said to my athletes, ‘It’s not always about the winning—there will always be winners and losers.’ It’s getting the experience and getting the feel of competition and how it is to run against faster people. So next time you would know what you need to do and why you need to work a harder to achieve that goal,” he said.

Rangamar said aside from the three girls, he also believes that speedster Tyrone Omar and hurling specialist Nick Gross will be in the mix for medal considerations in the 2008 Oceania Championships.

He, however, acknowledged that it would be an uphill battle, to say the least,

“In the Championships, I expect Australia, New Caledonia, and Fiji to really do well. Some of their athletes actually just took part in the Grand Prix to get their feet wet. The real competition will be in the Oceania Championships.”

Making up the rest of Team CNMI are Dexter Dillay, Ketson “Jack” Kabiriel, Sylvan Rangamar, Moses Rangamar, Yvette Bennett, Liamwar Rangamar, Lina Manalili, Matthew Mancao, Trevor Ogumoro, Greg Duatin, Reylyn Sapong, and the Iguels—Jesus, Luis, and Juan.

Oceania Athletics executive director Yvonne Mullins, meanwhile, said the 2008 Oceania Championships will finally kick off this morning starting with the Cross Country competition at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort.

The opening ceremony for the Championships, meanwhile, will be held at the American Memorial Park where close to 300 athletes will march from the Carolinian Affairs Office toward the federal park starting at 5:30pm.

Asked if the weather is at all a concern for her in the 2008 Oceania Championships, considering its been raining on and off the past two days, Mullins said: “That’s why you have an all-weather track. We will continue with the Championships, no matter what.”