Schools told to prep up for cross country series

The Northern Marianas Athletics will begin the All Schools Cross Country series two Saturdays from now at the CPA Airport Field.

NMA developmental officer Elias Rangamar is calling on all schools to prepare their cross country teams and get in touch with NMA officials for the schedule of the series.

Rangamar said next Saturday’s tournament will begin at 4pm.

“We will have two more series before we proceed with the All Schools Cross Country Championship. We are encouraging teachers/coaches to bring their students at the Airport Field to participate in this year’s cross country series,” Rangamar said.

No entrance fees are required for the series and the championship and NMA will be giving trophies and medals to the top finishers in various age groups and team events.

The cross country series and the championship is open for elementary, middle school, and high school students.

Last year, Marianas High School dominated the 18-and-under division with Jacque Wonenberg and Nate Mateo leading the Dolphins’ attack.

Mateo and Wonenberg timed in at 12 minutes, 52 seconds and 15:34, respectively, in the 3,200-meter run.

Teammates Matthew “Freedom” Mancao (13:01) and Champ Untalan (13:08); and Gresil Race (17:37) and Theresa Dimapilis (17:54) completed the MHS sweep in the boys’ and girls divisions.

Kagman High School placed second in the boys division.

Tinian Elementary School won two divisions last year with Ignacio Borja and Barton Manglona leading the visitors in the boys’ 10-and-under division, and Dorsha Maui and Rudynna Lazaro shining in the girls category.

Other top performers in last year’s championship were Whispering Palms’ Danny Auther, who ruled the 1,600-meter run in the boys division with a time of 8:02, Borja and (9:29) and Manglona (9:30).

Gabrielle Race, also of Whispering Palms, prevailed in the girls division (8:15), while Maui (8:37) and Lazaro (9:08) placed second and third.

Garapan Elementary School claimed the girls’ 12-and-under division title after the 1-2 individual finish of Cris Obaldo (7:39) and Corina Suda (8:32). Ashley Babauta of Kagman Elementary School made it to the Top 3 completing the race in exactly nine minutes.

No team was named champion in the boys division due to the lack of runners. Each school should have at least three runners in each division to earn points. Hopwood Junior High School’s Brandon Philip topped the individual race in 7:00, followed by Saipan International School’s Angelo Jones (7:00.50), and Michael Mancao of Hopwood (7:07).

Hopwood, Whispering Palms, and Kagman competed in the 14-and-under class but did not have enough runners.

Hopwood’s Jaythan Camacho outraced Kagman’s Mark Sanchez and Alan Sablan to win the boys’ 14-and-under division with a time of 15:30. Sanchez and Sablan posted 16:32 and 17:53, respectively.

Jeralyn Castillo defeated Hopwood teammate Reylynn Sapong for the girls’ 14-and-under title. Castillo timed in at 17:25 against Sapong’s 17:55, while Madison Schultz of Whispering Palms finished third (19:00).