Gross sweeps field events; undecided on Mini Games

Nick Gross in action in the discus event of Northern Marianas Athletics’ Track and Field Open Meet last Saturday at the Oleai Sports Complex. (Lao Zhang)

Many time CNMI national track and field athlete Nick Gross again dominated the field events of Northern Marianas Athletics’ Track and Field Open Meet last Saturday at the Oleai Sports Complex.

The 33-year-old Public School System athletics program director topped the discus throw and javelin events to prove to all and sundry that he’s still the man to beat.

Gross flung the discuss a distance of 29.85m in the men’s 40-and-over to beat Richard Ogumoro who had a men’s open best throw of 27.15m. Third place overall went to Lyle Andrew who chucked it at 18.58m. Third place for the men’s open went to Orrin Pharmin at 18.03m.

Gross also won the men’s 40-and-over javelin by throwing the light spear a distance of 46.75m. He beat men’s open winner D.J. Ngirchingor’s 44.54m and Pharmin’s 33.35. Andrew’s 27.99m was good for third place in the men’s open. The 18-and-under saw Akira Daniel Ota top the event with a fling of 23.46m, followed by Theo Rodgers with his 23.33. Chas Algaier won the men’s 65-and-over with a hurl of 12.9m.

Liani DLG Torres in action in the javelin event of Northern Marianas Athletics’ Track and Field Open Meet last Saturday at the Oleai Sports Complex. (Lao Zhang)

When asked if him participating in NMA’s regular meets mean he will again wear the CNMI colors in the 2022 Pacific Mini Games the CNMI will be hosting the very first time next year, Gross said he will take a wait-and-see approach.

“I’ll await entries as it’s been many years since I’ve been throwing a competitive distance in an open event against Oceania’s best!”

He also thanked NMA for organizing the athletics events once again despite COVID-19 and after more than a year of inactivity due to the pandemic.

“A big thank you to NMA, athletes of all ages, and volunteers for their time and energy! These ‘teaser meets’ are intended for all of the CNMI. It is imperative that the CNMI identify our top prospects for next year’s Mini Games as well as the Micro Games. Keep running, throwing, and jumping, CNMI!”

Maria Rasa competed in javelin and discus while serving as volunteer in Northern Marianas Athletics’ Track and Field Open Meet last Saturday at the Oleai Sports Complex. (Lao Zhang)

In his career donning the CNMI’s colors, the Dickinson State University alumnus has collected two gold medals in the Micronesian Area Championships, a silver in the 2010 Micronesian Games in Palau, a bronze in the 2018 Micro Games in Yap, and a bronze in the 2008 Oceania Track Championships on Saipan.

In the women’s field events, Leani DLG Acosta and Maria Rasa dominated the javelin and discus events, respectively.

Acosta, who also won the 200m, had a throw of 24.99m in the javelin to top the 18-and-under. Rasa was second with a fling of 20.02, while Elly Aguon completed the Top 3 with her hurl of 18.9m. Gabrielle Race was first in the open category with a throw of 22.75m.

Rasa won the 18-and-under discus with her distance of 21.25m. Aguon and Madison Rasa were second and third with hurls of 12.1m and 10.65m, respectively.