Aaron Pamintuan, seen here competing in a local event early this year at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multipurpose Hall, was one of the three CNMI weightlifters who debuted in the 2020-2021 Oceania Weightlifting Federation League Email Tournament. (Saipan Tribune)

Three weightlifters represented the CNMI in the fourth round of the 2020-2021 Oceania Weightlifting Federation League Email Tournament held last Oct. 2 and 3.

David Barnhouse, Joshua Mettao, and Aaron Pamintuan suited up for the Commonwealth and Pacific Team 2 in the men’s division and were pitted against the second-running Australia Team. Barnhouse, who won three golds medals in the 2014 Micronesian Games in Pohnpei, had the best total among the three CNMI weightlifters and second best in Pacific Team 2 with his 222 kg. He had 102 kg in snatch and 120 in the clean and jerk. The Commonwealth belt was just slightly behind Pacific Team 2 top finisher Quentin Mattei of New Caledonia, as the latter recorded 223 kg (100 kg in snatch and 123 kg in clean and jerk).

Mettao had a total of 185 kg after his 85 kg in snatch and 100 kg in clean and jerk, while Pamintuan’s 75 in snatch and 94 kg in clean and jerk gave him 169 kg. Mettao, Pamintuan, and Barnhouse joined the 2020-2021 Oceania Weightlifting Federation League Email Tournament for the first time, as the CNMI was represented by Leo Apelo and Deion Sabino in the first three rounds and Brandon Regis in the second. In the women’s division, Antonette Labausa and Raegine Camacho competed in two out of the first three rounds, but missed the fourth where Guam’s Jacinta Sumagaysay emerged as the top performer for Pacific Team 2 after registering 185 kg.

The OWF competition is a virtual tournament being held in celebration of the group’s 40th anniversary and will run for seven rounds with the event that started in July wrapping up in January 2021. Each round, two countries are pitted against each other (men’s and women’s divisions combined), but in the CNMI’s case, it combined with weightlifters from New Caledonia, Palau, and Guam due to lack of enough participants to form Pacific Team 2. Pacific Team 1, on the other hand, is made up of weightlifters from the Cook Islands, Tahiti, Wallis & Futuna, Tonga, and Niue. Kiribati, Samoa, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, New Zealand, Fiji, and Australia have their own squads.

In this file photo, David Barnhouse competes in a local tournament held at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multipurpose Hall. (Contributed Photo)

The Aussies defeated Pacific Team 2 in the fourth round, 2,309.76 kg-1,240.55 kg. Each team’s scores were determined by subtracting the squad’s total bodyweight from the aggregate total (the 14 members combined record in snatch and clean and jerk).

With the victory, Australia kept the No. 2 spot in the team standings, tying New Zealand and Kiribati, as the three squads hold identical 3-1 records. Samoa is still on top of the field with its unbeaten 4-0 mark, while Nauru (2-2), Pacific Team 1 (2-2), PNG (2-2), Solomon Islands (1-3), Fiji (0-4), and Pacific Team 2 (0-4) complete the rankings.

Samoa won the battle of undefeated teams in Round 4 after outclassing New Zealand, 2,721.33 kg-2,094.50 kg. In other fourth round results, Nauru downed Kiribati, PNG edged the Solomon Islands, and Pacific Team 1 beat Fiji.

Meanwhile, Round 5 of the virtual meet will be held on Oct. 30 and 31 with Samoa hoping to extend its streak when it faces Kiribati. Other pairings in the fifth round are New Zealand vs Solomon Islands; Australia vs PNG; Pacific Team 1 vs Nauru; and Pacific Team 2 vs Fiji.

The post 3 lifters debut in Oceania meet appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

Calvin Yamagishi, seen here competing in a local tournament last year, won the Marianas Golf Association October Ace. (Contributed Photo)

Marianas Golf Association tournament coordinator Calvin Yamagishi was awarded the October Ace after beating Gus Palacios in a scorecard tiebreak in last weekend’s tournament at the Kingfisher Golf Links.

Yamagishi and Palacios recorded identical net scores of 70, one stroke behind October Ace top finisher Joey Dela Cruz, who fired a net 69. The 10-handicapper Dela Cruz posted a 39 on the front nine and 40 on the back for a gross 79, but since he had already won the August Ace, the second best placer got this month’s award. Yamagishi, a 16-handicapper, played better in the first nine holes with his 41 compared to Palacios’ 48 and still edged his foe in the last nine, 45-46 for a gross 86. Palacios owns a 24 handicap to end up with a gross 94.

Besides Palacios, Yamagishi, and Dela Cruz, 22 other MGA members joined last Oct. 17’s competition at the Talafofo course, including closest to the pin winners Chris Groves, John Terlaje, Dung Tenorio, and Paul Kaipat.

Participants in the Marianas Golf Association October Ace tournament pose for group photo before heading out to course at the Kingfisher Golf Links last Saturday. (Contributed Photo)

Kaipat made the KP in hole No. 15, while Groves, Terlaje, and Tenorio had the same feat in holes No. 6, 8, and 11, respectively.

Meanwhile, MGA has a new member in Jerry Lin, who debuted last weekend with a net 77 score that put him in a tie for No. 15 to No. 18 place with Chris Leon Guerrero, Ned Norita, and Terlaje. MGA also had five guest players—Larry Philip, Peter Mendiola, Mr. PC, John Cepeda, and Sylvester Javier—participating in the October Ace event.

The association is halfway through the 2020-2021 season that started in May, but MGA is still accepting membership. New members annual fee is $40 and returning members is $30.

The post Yamagishi secures MGA October Ace appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

Runners are bunched up as they leave the starting line during last year’s Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools
Cross Country Series. This season’s races will be way different with runners maintaining distance from each other all throughout the course. (Contributed Photo)

The first major interscholastic event in the CNMI since the COVID-19 pandemic hit us will kick off next month with the staging of the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series.

Nick Gross, director of the PSS Student Support Services Athletic Program, was quick to point out that this season’s cross country event will be like no other, as safety of students and other stakeholders is the top priority. Restrictions will be strictly implemented to minimize if not fully prevent the risk of the spread of the virus.

Gross and the NMA board have drafted safety measures and protocols for the meet and a proposal has been submitted to the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and is now waiting for approval.

On top of the organizers’ safety guidelines is limiting the number of participants per school. A series of qualifying races are also scheduled and schools and age groups competition are spread out to minimize crowding at the meet venue—the CPA Airport Field.

Each school is limited to six participants for every qualifying race, which will begin on Nov. 6. The first qualifier is for elementary (co-ed) with age groups including K-5, U7, U9, and U11. The 4:15pm start time is for Saipan International School, Brilliant Star School, Koblerville Elementary School, William S. Reyes Elementary School, and Saipan Community School. For the 5pm race, runners from Agape Christian School will compete against San Vicente, Kagan, Mt. Carmel School, and Isla Montessori. The same schools will continue the qualifying races on Nov. 13 and 20.

For the Nov. 7, 14, and 21 qualifiers, it will be the turn of the middle school (U12 and U14 age groups) and high school (U18) runners to hit the road. Races are also clustered by schools with the 6:30am race set for SIS, Agape, Marianas High School, and Mt. Carmel in the U18 girls division and followed by the boys group. The middle school runners from SIS, Agape, Francisco M. Sablan, Hopwood Middle School, Mt. Carmel, and SCS.

Agape Christian School and Mt. Carmel School runners head to the finish line during last year’s race. (Saipan Tribune)

The qualifiers are slated to determine the runners that will advance to the elementary, middle school, and high school championship races, which are also scheduled separately. The elementary finals will take place on Dec. 4 (4:30pm), while the middle school and high school championship races will be held on Dec. 5, 6:30am for U18 and 7:20am for U14 runners.

In every race, runners are encouraged to observe social distancing measures. They will start in 12-foot wide pre-marked boxes, 6 feet away from each other and 3 feet from the inside of the box, and coaches are urged to put fast runners on the front spots. The course will also be widened to at least 6 feet at its narrowest point to maintain runners’ distance as they navigate their way to the turning point and back to the start/finish line.

Once a runner has completed the course, he/she will be asked to leave the premises. No handshakes before and after the races and bibs will be issued to schools ahead of time to avoid or limit personal interaction during the event. Temperatures will be checked on race day and coaches are encouraged to do the same when holding practices.

The cross country races are part of NMA and PSS’ joint events and usually attract hundreds of runners as before the pandemic there were no limits on the number of students allowed to compete in the qualifiers.

“Although this year’s competitions will be much different than years past due to the pandemic, I fully believe that we can ensure a safe, fun experience for all,” Gross said.

The post Cross country season on appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

Marianas Outrigger Club members paddle their way to the finish line of the 500m race in the 2017 Micronesia Cup at the Matapang Beach in Guam. (Contributed Photo)

On this day, four years ago, the Marianas Outrigger Club capped its outstanding performance in the men’s open division of the 18th Micronesia Cup by topping the long course race of the event held in Koror, Palau.

MOC, which was represented by Jose Quan, Vince Tudela, Bobby Cruz, Rich Salas, Ketson “Jack” Kabiriel, Billy Grow, Angel San Nicolas, James Lee, and captain Dino Manning in the Oct. 22-23, 2016 tournament, completed the 12-mile long course in 1:28:16. The visiting paddlers beat the tough Hong Kong United (1:31:05) and home team PCC Mesekiu 3 (1:32:07) in the longest race of the competition in the waters off Meyuns Seaplane Ramp.

With the victory in the last day of the event, MOC earned a 3-peat, becoming the first team from the CNMI to win all three races in the men’s division.

MOC, during the opening day of the tournament, went 2-0, after prevailing in the 500m and 1,500m races. The club gained top honors first in the 1, 500m race after finishing the three-lap course in 7:31.85. MOC was nearly 12 seconds ahead of Guam’s Taotao Galaide Ma’aksom, which clocked in at 7:43.53 and won by more than 20 seconds against the third-ranked Belau Kanu Club Waterfalls (7:53.52).

For the 500m sprint, the MOC paddlers also reached the finish line first way ahead of their competitors after submitting 2:08.56. Belau Kanu Club Waterfall was nearly four seconds behind MOC with the former logging 2:12.22, while Taotao Galaide Ma’aksom completed the Top 3 after posting 2:14.22. Three other teams joined the sprints finals with Palau’s PCC Mesekiu 3, IFIT, and PCC Mesekiu 1 checking in at 2:14.71, 2:24.22, and 2:25.10, respectively.

Cruz, who was part of the MOC crew in the long distance race, recalled how they battled Hong Kong neck-and-neck before gaining some cushion heading back to the shore.

In this 2016 file photo, Marianas Outrigger Club paddlers pose together before their races in the Micronesian Cup held in Koror, Palau. (Contributed Photo)

“It’s the hardest race out of the three that we won, not only because of the distance, but because of how tough our closest competitor is. They are more experienced paddlers and are used to long distance races,” Cruz said.

The MOC member added that going into the final day of the competition, they don’t know how they will be performing in the long course, so topping the race was really a surprise.

“We know we are competitive because we trained and prepared hard for the event, working on our techniques and conditioning, but we did not expect to sweep all three races, especially win the long course. The thing with the long distance race is you have to be smart and understand the condition of the water and the wind and use them to your advantage. In the long course, it’s a matter of who’s going to give up first and who’s going to hang on tight and trust their teammates,” Cruz said.

With its rare sweep in the 2016 edition of the Micro Cup, MOC was named Team of the Year during the Northern Marianas Sports Association Annual Banquet.

Then in the 19th Micro Cup hosted by Guam, MOC nearly duplicated its 2016 feat after winning the 500m and long distance race anew. The group missed the 1,000m title after placing second to BKC Men, which posted 5:48.1 in the finals against MOC’s 5:49.3.

Meanwhile, the Micro Cup this year was supposed to be hosted by Guam anew, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making it the second time in three years there’s no regional meet for paddlers. In 2018, the CNMI-hosted Micro Cup was scrapped due to Super Typhoon Yutu.

The post Flashback: MOC paddlers dominate Micro Cup appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

Steve Balakrishna, seen here watching his shot during a local tournament, won the Saipan Golfers Association’s July Ace title. (Contributed Photo)

The Saipan Golfers Association’s July Ace Tournament turned out to be the toughest so far this season, as three players ended up tied for the lead after last Sunday’s competition at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort.

Nick Sablan, Steve Balakrishna, and Alex Tudela logged identical net scores of 69 on the east course of the Kagman facility. Sablan managed to win the tiebreak via the scorecard playoffs, but since he already took the March Ace, Balakrishna got the July Ace, nosing out Tudela, also through the scorecard playoffs.

The 11-handicapper Balakrishna played consistently in last weekend’s tournament after shotting 40s on the front and back nines for a gross 80 and net 69. Tudela is also an 11 handicapper and matched Balakrishna’s net and gross scores after recording 41 in the first nine holes and 39 in the last. The 5-handicapper Sablan, on the other hand, was in his usual top form after delivering an even par 36 on the front nine and 2-over par 38 on the back for a gross 74.

With Balakrishna getting the July Ace, he also earned a spot on the SGA Ace of Aces (club championship) joining Sablan, Attorney General Edward Manibusan (January), Jung Eun Teack (February), Juan “Pan” Guerrero (April), Das Krishnan (May), and House vice speaker Larry Deleon Guerrero (June).

Balakrishna’s July Ace victory was highlighted by a closest to the pin shot on the par-3, 122-yard hole No. 15. Sablan also had a closest to the pin shot—the longer par-3 hole No. 11 (170 yards). The two other closest to the pin contests were won by Krishnan, who hit the KP on the 150-yard No. 4 and 139-yard No. 6.

The May Ace winner also made a closest to the pin drive on the par-5 and longest hole—the 502-yard No. 18. Guerrero matched Krishnan’s longest drive feat on the par-4, 346-yard hole No. 9.

Meanwhile, SGA will continue to hold make-up tournaments with the August Ace event scheduled for this Sunday, also at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort. The association is catching up with its monthly competitions after missing several tournaments early this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tee time for this weekend’s event is 9am, while show time is at 8:30am.

The post Balakrishna survives tiebreak appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

Elementary school students head to the finish line during last year’s Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series at the Saipan Country Club. (Contributed Photo)

Schools participating in the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series have until Nov. 2 to submit their entries per age groups.

The Nov. 2 deadline applies to the six qualifying races next month, as Nick Gross, director of the PSS Student Support Services Athletic Program, wanted the early distribution of the runners’ bib numbers to minimize, if not avoid personal interaction during the races and follow the safety measures in place against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Schools are allowed to enter a maximum of six students in every race per age group plus one alternate. The elementary division covers the U11 age group and schools can sign up a co-ed team, while the U14 (middle school) and U18 (high school) categories have separate races for girls and boys.

The qualifying races for the elementary division will be held on Nov. 6, 13, and 20, with schools divided into groups to avoid crowding at the CPA Airport Field. Saipan International School is grouped with Brilliant Star School, Koblerville Elementary School, William S. Reyes Elementary School, and Saipan Community School, while Agape Christian School is with San Vicente, Kagan, Mt. Carmel School, and Isla Montessori.

The middle school and high school qualifiers are scheduled for Nov. 7, 14, and 21 and schools will also be put in small groups for safety measures. SIS will compete against Agape, Marianas High School, and Mt. Carmel in the U18 girls division, followed by the boys group. For the middle school division, it will be SIS, Agape, Francisco M. Sablan, Hopwood Middle School, Mt. Carmel, and SCS runners in the girls race first before the boys contest.

Runners who will make the grade in the series of qualifiers will advance to the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Championships set for Dec. 4 (elementary) and Dec. 5 (high school and middle school).

Team title and individual honors will be at stake in the finale with only the times of Top 4 finishers from each school to be considered in determining the winners in the three age groups. Rota and Tinian runners are also invited in the championship race and must turn in their roster no later than Nov. 24.

The post Nov. 2 deadline for cross country entries appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

Rommel Buenaflor poses with his bib number during last year’s New York City Marathon. (Contributed Photo)

Chang Whan Jang is among the six Saipan runners joining the virtual 2020 New York City Marathon. (Saipan Tribune)

Five first-timers and one repeat participant from Saipan will race in the New York City Marathon.

Dubbed as the largest marathon in the world (record 98,247 runners in 2017 and 53,508 finishers in 2019), the NYC Marathon is going ahead with its 50th-anniversary race despite the COVID-19 pandemic, as this year’s event will be held virtually. Participants will run 26.2 miles (42.19K) and they can do it at any course from Oct. 17 to Nov. 1. Though runners have two weeks to complete the race, they must meet the required distance in one session.

Saipan runners Rommel Buenaflor, Malou Carlos, Matt Sitchon, Taro Goto, Chang Whan Jang, and Roxanne Soriano are planning to take on the challenge this weekend and use the Saipan Marathon route.

Form left, Rommel Buenaflor, Roxanne Soriano, Malou Carlos, and Manny Sitchon pose for a photo after getting their race participant certificate for the virtual 2020 New York City Marathon. (Contributed Photo)

“This is a great opportunity to be a part of the prestigious New York Marathon, especially the event is celebrating its golden anniversary this year, so this is big and this is also my first time to do a full marathon,” Soriano said.

While Soriano will debut in the NYC Marathon, Buenaflor will be doing his second race in the event considered as one of the World Marathon Majors. He completed the course that covered the five boroughs of the Big Apple in 2019.

Buenaflor said they did a pace run last weekend and have been doing their regular runs the past months to get ready for the virtual event. He will do his best to finish the NYC Marathon again, but hopes to have another chance of taking on the actual course and wishes the same for other Saipan runners.

“It’s one of the hardest marathons in the world, but the experience is definitely worth it,” Buenaflor said.

Rommel Buenaflor poses with his bib number during last year’s New York City Marathon. (Contributed Photo)

Sitchon, on the other hand, tried completing the distance last weekend, but stopped at the 25K mark due to cramps. The sexagenarian added that for long distance event like marathon, he needs to train for 35K plus running at least two times a week to get into top shape. He will try again this weekend and aims to surpass his personal best (5:01:00).

Meanwhile, Soriano said the virtual NYC Marathon has its pros and cons, but the former outweighs the latter, as she is determined to continue her passion for running amidst the pandemic.

“Unlike our local marathons, you have to keep track of your own time, safety, nutrition, and hydration with the virtual NYC Marathon. However, this virtual run gives us the opportunity to try and get our personal best time without the pressure of competition. We will be racing without the support from the crowd, but with the encouragement from my friends Jean Bernardo and Jerin Alladin, I believe that their presence is more than enough than any loud cheers. I will not let COVID-19 stop me from joining races,” said Soriano, whose target finish time is between five and six hours.

The post 6 Saipan runners to join NYC Marathon appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

Riders take on the course at the Kan Pacific grounds during the Marianas Racing Association’s weekend race in Marpi last Oct. 19.. (Joseph Chin)

The Marianas Racing Association is getting a permanent home for the staging of its races.

The Marianas Motocross Park will be finally signed over to MRA today after months of working with the Department of Public Lands, the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Office of the Governor to have a place for the sport and their activities. The Marianas Motocross Park will be built exactly at the same location where the CowTown Raceway Park was used to be, allowing the motocross community to return home after more than a decade.

“It’s indeed a big day for motocross and off-road enthusiasts of the CNMI. This is a private and government sector collaborative effort. We are excited to regain our former location where we can host our practice sessions and sanction races. The work now begins to rebuild a new track and facilities at the old location. This is a revival of the sport so to speak, as we took a rest period for 10 plus years,” MRA president Steve P. Sablan said.

Young riders pose for a group photo after their practice session. (Marianas Racing Association)

CowTown was home to MRA for a decade before races were called off in 2007 due to economic challenges and the property was returned to DPL.

After more than 10 years, the same people who were active during the races in CowTown regrouped and revived MRA. They started organizing practice races in make-shift courses at the Kan Pacific Pool grounds in Marpi every Sunday, while working on getting a permanent racetrack. With the weekly races on, MRA membership continues to grow and the interest in the sport that was once one of the crowd drawers in the CNMI has been brought back.

A Marianas Racing Association member, left, fixes the bike of a young rider before letting him return to the course at the Kan Pacific grounds during a practice session early this month. (Joseph Chin)

MRA vice president Cuki Alvarez, who was among the riders who raced in CowTown, thanked all the people who helped them secure a temporary track to provide members a venue for practices. He also expressed excitement over racing again in their old stomping ground.

“We are just so happy that we are finally getting our motocross home back after so many years. Cowtown is the perfect place for us and is a great place for our race park. We, the members of MRA just want to thank all the powers that be for making this project come into fruition; DPL, DCCA, the Attorney General and of course the governor. Thank you, secretary Marianne Teregeyo (DPL) for allowing us to use the Kan Pacific grounds the past several months and allowing all our members—kids and adults—to practice and hone their skills. Thank you also to the Saipan Mayor’s Office, the Department of Public Works, and all the volunteers for keeping the place beautiful and attractive,” Alvarez said.

Spectators watch riders navigate their way through the course. (Joseph Chin)

Meanwhile, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Arnold Palacios, and Robert Hunter, senior policy adviser for the Office of the Governor and former DCCA secretary, will join Alvarez, Sablan, and other MRA members and officials in the signing ceremony this morning at the Kan Pacific grounds.

The post Motocross group gets home back appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

In this 2019 file photo, elementary school students race to the finish line during the All Schools Cross Country Championships Series at the Saipan Country Club. (Kimberly a. Bautista)

To adhere to social distancing rules, organizers of the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series will be implementing cut-off times for next month’s races.

For the elementary division, students in the first to fifth grades must complete the 1.1-mile course at the CPA Airport Field in 25 minutes. In the middle school races, the distance is 2.1 miles and sixth to eighth graders must finish the run in 30 minutes. For the high school race, which will feature a 3.1-mile course, the cut-off time is 35 minutes. Student-runners who will not meet the cut-off times will be asked to leave the field and will be marked DNF (did not finish) on the result sheets.

Organizers would also like to clarify that for elementary division teams, there must be at least two girls and two boys on the six-student squad. Each school is allowed to field only one co-ed team in the three qualifying races and in the finale and only the Top 4 finishers’ results will be counted in determining the overall winners in the championship round. The elementary division qualifiers will be held Nov. 6, 13, and 20.

The Nov. 7, 14, and 21 races are for middle school and high school teams and there will be separate competitions for boys and girls, but still each school is allowed to field only one squad.

For schools with more than six runners per team, they can choose the first six students to field in the opening leg of the race and have the remaining runners compete in the succeeding events. However, in the championship race, each school can only have six runners per team and each runner must have participated in at least one qualifier.

Deadline for registration for the November races is on Nov. 2, while the championship will be held on Dec. 4 for elementary division and Dec. 5 for high school and middle school categories. Schools will be clustered to avoid crowding and follow the safety measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The post Cut-off times, course distance for cross country race appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

A young rider works his way around the make-shift course at the Kan Pacific grounds during a practice session early this month. (Joseph Chin)

With its acquisition of a permanent racetrack, the Marianas Racing Association will be able to continue the legacy of the people who made the sport a significant part of the community.

The land (former CowTown Raceway Park in Marpi) where the Marianas Motocross Park will be built was officially signed over to MRA via a memorandum of understanding. Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Department of Public Lands Secretary Marianne Teregeyo, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs outgoing secretary Robert Hunter, and MRA officials Steve Sablan and Cuki Alvarez signed the MOU in a brief ceremony yesterday at the Kan Pacific grounds.

Alvarez, whose father Raymond Sr. founded the Saipan Motorcross Club that introduced the sport to the Commonwealth in the late ’70s, recalled how motocross races were moved from one place to another in a span of nearly four decades and had its last event in 2007. He added that no matter how many times the sport had to cease holding races, it always finds a way to make a comeback. Now, with the sport’s revival along with getting their old home back, Alvarez, the MRA vice president, said they will be carrying on the motocross legacy in the CNMI.

Sablan, who was among the first dirt bike riders on the islands, echoed Alvarez’s sentiments, saying that though motocross races took repeated breaks, the people’s love for the sport was never lost.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, second row, third left, and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, second row, second left, join Marianas Racing Association members and officers and other government officials for a group photo after the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony at the Kan Pacific grounds yesterday. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

“It’s in everyone’s heart over the years,” said the MRA president, as he thanked the Torres administration and various government agencies for their consideration and generosity in signing over the Marpi land to MRA to serve as venue for their events and other motocross activities, such as ATV races.

For future generations
The MOU signing was witnessed by several government officials and MRA members and supporters, including young riders.

“This is for the kids, for the younger generation and I hope when it’s their time to lead, they will do the same in keeping motocross alive in the CNMI,” said Torres.

Twelve-year-old Nanaka Celis is among the young riders excited to race at the Marianas Motocross Park and she sees having a permanent racetrack as a big opportunity to improve their skills faster. Celis and the other young riders currently utilize the make-shift course at the baseball field at the Kan Pacific and although they are sometimes allowed to use the course for adult riders, MRA believes a track appropriate for their age and skill level is a must.

“I’ve never been to CowTown before. All I see are videos and pictures of my dad,” said Celis, whose father Dave was among the top riders on island before motocross took a break in the late 2000s.

Marianas Racing Association vice president Cuki Alvarez delivers a brief message during the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony between their association and the CNMI government yesterday at the Kan Pacific grounds. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Shane Alvarez had been to CowTown and in fact used to ride dirt bikes and ATVs at the raceway when he was still in grade school.

“I can’t wait to come back to CowTown. It’s such an awesome track before and I know it’s going to get better now that we will have the Marianas Motocross Park,” Alvarez said.

MRA volunteer Eleanor Cepeda, whose husband Melvin and their daughters used to race at the Marpi facility, is also upbeat on the prospects of watching regular races at the Marianas Motocross Park and seeing families gather together to support the riders and have fun.

“Returning to CowTown brings back a lot of good memories on and off the racetrack,” Cepeda said.

The post ‘Carrying on the motocross legacy’ appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

Mark Toves, right, joins Jay, left, and Dylan Santos for a photo during a break in one of the games in the 2017 World Series that featured the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros. (Contributed Photo)

In 1988, veteran baseball player Mark Toves was at the Marina Del Rey in Los Angeles, watching the Dodgers defeat the Oakland Athletics in Game 5 of their best-of-seven playoff series, 8-4, to win the World Series.

Thirty-two years later on Saipan and after enduring many heartbreaking losses for his beloved team, Toves witnessed how the Dodgers exorcised the ghosts of past Octobers after beating the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 6, 3-1, yesterday in Arlington, Texas to wrap up their best-of-seven title series.

The Commonwealth Ports Police officer watched all six games of the World Series and though the Rays gave the Dodgers some anxious moments in the championship showdown after taking Games 2 and 4 and were constantly reminded of their misfortunes in more than three decades, Toves never lost his faith on the blue crew, just like how his grandmother, Natividad Santos, showed continued support to the team, win or lose.

“I watched the World Series in 1988 with my grandmother, a hard-core Dodgers and Lakers fan. I am sure she is so happy right now with this victory,” said Toves, who grew up idolizing former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela and second baseman Steve Sax. Both players were part of the 1988 team (but Valenzuela did not play in the post season due to an injury) that won the last World Series for the Dodgers before the squad went on a slump in the next 30-plus seasons in the Major League Baseball.

Included in the Dodgers’ long dry spell were their back-to-back failed World Series title bids—against the Houston Astros in 2017 and the Boston Red Sox in 2018.

“I was definitely heartbroken when the Dodgers lost in 2017 against Houston Astros and again in 2018 versus Boston Red Sox. But, I could never root for any other team than the Dodgers. Let’s go blue!” the Saipan Masters Baseball League pitcher said.

Larry Maurin sports a Los Angeles Dodgers cap while watching on TV the replay of Game 6 of the World Series. (Contributed Photo)

While Toves was in a good company of her grandmother when the Dodgers won in 1988, Capitol Hill resident Larry Maurin was too young to remember how Los Angeles fans celebrated that World Series win. But he recalls how San Francisco Giants gloated when they topped the World Series in 2010, 2012, and 2014, while he remained loyal with the crashing Dodgers.

“The last time they won I was 5… I was too young to remember and enjoy 1988, and I’ve been a life-long Dodger fan. I grew up 20 minutes from the Dodgers Stadium, I went to many Dodger games, and I lived in San Francisco when the Giants won and I had to hear Giants fans bragging but I stuck with my team. So, I am going to enjoy it and be happy for the team and the city of Los Angeles,” said Maurin, who had to watch the replay of Game 6, as he was at work yesterday and could not tune in to the live coverage.

The Dodgers got their first World Series title in 32 years at a time when it was uncertain whether the MLB will go ahead with the season or not due to the COVID-19 pandemic before opting for a shortened regular season.

Former Saipan resident Marlon Estigoy poses for a photo at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 2017. (Contributed Photo)

“With or without the pandemic, they got back where they belonged (in the company of World Series champions),” said former Saipan resident Marlon Estigoy, who is now based in Los Angeles.

The post Dodgers fans on Saipan savor World Series win appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

The Ruszala family poses for a photo during a break in its hike at El Toro. (Contributed Photo)

After two weeks and more than 2,000 combined miles, the Run The Marianas is turning out to be a family affair than a race with fathers and mothers teaming up with their kids, teachers and students, co-workers, and friends moving forward to their 460-mile journey.

Brad Ruszala, his wife Kathy, and their kids, Keoni and Leilani, are among the family teams entered in the virtual run organized by Saipan International School and Northern Marianas Athletics. The Runnings Ruszalas have reached the first island stop of the race from Farallon De Pajaros to Rota after making it to Maug (42-mile mark) last Oct. 25.

Twelve islands are still ahead of the Runnings Ruszalas’ way before the team makes it to Rota and though it’s a long race, the family is enjoying the journey.

“So far, we’ve taken the kids on road runs, trail runs, and hikes. It’s been a lot of fun and we accumulate four times the miles when we participate in each activity together,” Brad said.

Martin Jambor enjoys a light jog in Prague in the Czech Republic. (Contributed Photo)

The Run The Marianas has a concept different from the usual virtual events that have mushroomed at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Runners/walkers can log miles not just by running on the road, but everywhere, including on treadmill

“This challenge is a great way for Kathy and I to keep our children active and to show them the fun side of fitness. One of the great aspects of Run the Marianas is that we’re able to track down each island as we rack up the mileage,” Ruszala added.

As the Ruszalas are exploring the jungles of Saipan, Martin Jambor, his wife Sarka, and their son Quido, on the other hand, are gaining mileage for the Run the Marianas while feasting their eyes on the beauty of “Hundred-spired Prague” in the Czech Republic.

“Prague’s streets are pretty much empty and more quiet compare to normal pre-pandemic days. I remember Prague always being full of tourists and a very crowded old town. In these days, you can explore the city and all small tiny streets with meeting almost no people. Our daily run in the city is more of a pleasure than challenge. I always wish I can bring all of my friends from Saipan and show them the beauty of Prague,” said Martin, who acknowledged race director and SIS headmaster Ron Snyder for the unique way of holding the Run The Marianas.

Saipan International School students get ready to run at the Oleai Sports Complex track oval. (Contributed Photo)

“It is such a great idea, especially in these pandemic days all around the world. It is so important to have something to focus on, to look forward to—simply to see the light through the tunnel,” said Martin, who named their squad TeamCzechMate.

Besides the Jambors and Ruszalas, the Run The Marianas also drew school and class teams, running buddies, and co-workers, as they spent extra time with each other to log mileage in a bid to move from one island to another.

As of last Wednesday, the SIS 10th Grader is leading the team race after reaching Alamagan (214-mile mark) and is followed by EA Academy, which had already made it to Pagan (175-mile point).

The post Run The Marianas: A family affair appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

Two riders are in a close race on their way to the second lap of the course at the Kan Pacific grounds during the Marianas Racing Association-organized event early this month. (Contributed Photo)

The Marianas Racing Association is looking to build a better raceway at the Marianas Motocross Park after getting back the land that used to host its races.

MRA president Steve Sablan said there’s a lot of work needed after they signed a memorandum of understanding with the CNMI government, the Department of Public Lands, and the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs last Tuesday for the designation of the former CowTown Raceway as the site for the Marianas Motocross Park and they would like to meet the end of the deal by building a better facility.

“There are certain stipulations in the agreement that we have to follow like 45 days from today (last Tuesday), we have to start doing the work on something and after 90 days, there has to be at least one project that must be completed,” Sablan said.

“Judging from the temporary track that we were able to build and the help we got from our members, our community, and the government, I am positive that we will be able to deliver a better raceway that our riders and spectators will enjoy,” Sablan said.

Marianas Racing Association president Steve Sablan acknowledges all the people and groups who help them get a permanent race track. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

MRA will start the project at CowTown by surveying and clearing the area. They will also re-layout the old course and provide an appropriate one for young riders (both dirt bikes and ATVs).

“I believe we will have the resources and assistance we need to move forward and faster with the building of the Marianas Motocross Park,” the MRA head added.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, who signed the MOU with Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Department of Public Lands Secretary Marianne Teregeyo, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs outgoing secretary Robert Hunter, pledged his support to the construction of the raceway and has asked various government agencies and their officials to provide their assistance too to MRA. The Department of Public Works and the Saipan Mayor’s Office helped MRA clear the Kan Pacific grounds—the group’s temporary race site.

‘Let’s get this thing going as we want see our riders, especially our kids, back to the track where they can safely ride, develop their skills, and have fun,” Torres said.

Sablan, in jest, said that it’s not only the young riders who are looking forward to racing back at CowTown, but the veterans likes him too.

“Believe me, when you reach my age you still would want to be in that dirt,” said the MRA president, who got into motocross on Saipan in the late ’70s.

The post MRA eyes better raceway appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

Shirley’s Football Club, left, and Paire Football Club players battle for the ball during last year’s NMIFA Fall Youth League at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. Games at the NMISTC are still suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the NMIFA leadership is looking at slowly and safely getting back into action. (Contributed Photo)

Three pillars of CNMI soccer were reelected to their respective posts, embracing the opportunity to continue their leadership roles in the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association.

Jerry Tan was voted anew as NMIFA president during last Friday’s 10th Ordinary Congress held at the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, while Vickie Izuka was reelected vice president and CNMI Superior Court Associate Judge Wesley Bogdan retained his seat on the NMIFA Executive Committee, joining incumbent Norman Del Rosario and Catherine Attao-Toves.

Northern Mariana Islands Football Association officials, led by its president Jerry Tan, fourth left, pose for a group photo at the conclusion of the NMIFA’s 10th Ordinary Congress held last Friday at the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

“I would like to thank everyone for you vote of confidence and more importantly for you continued contribution to the development of our sport in the CNMI in the last 10-plus years. Our clubs, the coaches, game officials, the players and their parents, the NMIFA staff, and the community have worked together to bring CNMI football to where it is right now—an organized sport that provides opportunities for everyone, especially for our youth players. Through your support we are able to use the sport of soccer as a tool make a difference in the community and the lives of the people that live here, especially at these difficult times,” Tan said.

Izuka, on the other hand, acknowledged the unwavering support that NMIFA gets from its football family in the region, giving the association the means to strengthen its program and reach out to more people in the community. She thanked the Asian Football Confederation, the East Asian Football Federation, Guam Football Association, Japan Football Association, and NMIFA’s numerous donors through the years.

Reelected Northern Mariana Islands Football Association vice president Vickie Izuka, bottom right of video screen, addresses the participants in the NMIFA’s 10th Ordinary Congress, while Asian Football Confederation representatives Yosuke Mihara, top left, and Choe Nam Hyok, bottom left, listen. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

“We are overwhelmed and encouraged by the support from everyone as we continue this journey and work harder to make more milestones,” Izuka added.

Yosuke Mihara and Choe Nam Hyok of the AFC’s Member Association and Regional Associations Department witnessed Tan and Izuka’s reelection as they attended the 10th Ordinary Congress virtually and the two guests assured NMIFA that AFC will continue to assist the federation in the development of CNMI soccer and other related projects.

Participants in the NMIFA’s 10th Ordinary Congress listen to the message of Asian Football Confederation Member Association and Regional Associations Department’s Yosuke Mihara. (Contributed Photo)

Choe also lauded NMIFA for its transparency and professionalism in managing its programs and took note of the local association’s deep commitment to the community as seen in the activities and projects the FA got involved with in the past few years.

Meanwhile, Tan acknowledged the challenges that NMIFA and its programs are facing at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he said they will try to find ways to slowly get back into action while still giving priority to the safety of the players and other stakeholders. NMIFA, since June has resumed training sessions of the national teams with emphasis on strict compliance to precautionary measures against the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Games in all leagues, on the other hand, are still suspended, including off-island matches, while coaches’ education continued.

The second issue of the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association’s monthly newsletter is out and was presented during the NMIFA’s 10th Ordinary Congress held last Friday at the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. (Contributed Photo)

Izuka and Bogdan echoed Tan’s sentiments and encouraged everyone to continue practicing safety measures so we can finally flatten the curve to focus on recovery from this crisis and go back to our usual activities, including playing soccer with no restrictions.

“There are no better things to see than watching kids getting back to the pitch, playing, and improving their skills, developing great attitudes, and enjoying themselves. We are all here doing these activities and taking part in this program for our children and for our community,” Bogdan said.

The post Tan, Izuka reelected; Bogdan keeps post appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

Participants in the M2 Fitness class pose for a photo after their session at the TSL Sports Complex. (Contributed Photo)

Come one, come all.

M2 Fitness welcomes everyone, regardless of their fitness level, to their regular workout classes at the TSL Sports Complex from Monday to Saturday. Mary Grace Bautista holds Zumba sessions every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, while her co-licensed instructor Mishael Pelicano conducts high-intensity interval training classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

“Our classes have ‘no judgement zone.’ It’s okay if you don’t have the rhythm. It’s not about being the best dancer or being fit, it’s about having a good time, being yourself, and enjoying every step,” Bautista said.

Bautista added that M2 Fitness is relatively a new group, as she and Pelicano just started holding classes in August this year, but both are no strangers to fitness training as they are licensed to teach Zumba and HIITS lessons. Pelicano completed a STRONG by Zumba instructor training course and is licensed by SNYC Network, while Bautista is licensed by Zumba International Network.

The two instructors said they thought about putting up a group to hold classes for more people.

“Exercising with a group is even more energizing and fun,” Pelicano said.

“You feel connected to each other in a class. The connection is the energy we create when you come to the class, enjoy yourself, and let the music do the rest,” Bautista said.

When they started their classes at the Minatchom Atdao Pavilion, Bautista and Pelicano drew only 10 participants. Today, more than 50 people are attending M2 Fitness’ classes with a lot of regulars, as they are getting their rhythm through the guidance of the two instructors. In her HIIT classes, Pelicano explained that routines like squats, lunges, burpees jacks, and push up challenge maybe tough, but with proper guidance and motivation, the participants, both men and women, are able to perform the drills.

The classes are free, but Bautista and Pelicano more than welcome kind words and testimonials from their students.

Desolee Calayo, one of the participants in the M2 Fitness classes, commented how she started to feel stronger in just 15 days of attending the program. Others took note of their improved stamina and endurance.

“When you see significant changes and good results from them, it’s a big compliment for us. “When you see their smiles before, during, and after the workout, it motivates us coaches to keep going,” Bautista said.

The post New fitness group offers Zumba, HIIT classes appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

Big Boy ATV class rider Henry Camacho Sr. jumps over a hill during a Marianas Racing Association mini tournament last Sunday at the Kan Pacific grounds. (Joseph Chin)

Inspired by their latest acquisition of a permanent racetrack, Marianas Racing Association officials Steve Sablan and Cuki Alvarez led the winners list in a mini tournament held last Sunday at the Kan Pacific grounds.

Sablan and Alvarez, who led MRA’s successful bid to reclaim the former Cowtown Raceway for the establishment of the Marianas Motocross Park last week, topped the veterans over 45 and expert open classes, respectively.

Veteran class riders head out to the course. (Joseph Chin)

Sablan, the MRA president, defeated 10 other dirt bike riders in his division, including Alvarez, who finished second in the race. Melvin Cepeda rounded out the Top 3, while other finishers were Charles Cepeda, Boss Alvarez, Glenn Pangelinan, Dave Celis, Julian Salalila, Dave Burger, Edsel Mendoza, and Ray Yumul.

After his runner-up honors in the veterans class, Alvarez, the MRA vice president competed in the experts open division and prevailed over his son Shane Alvarez and seven other riders. Ellery Cruz was ranked third and was followed by Angelo Hernaez, Alverick Alvarez, Franklin Santos, Patrick Togawa, and Champi Anza.

Spectators watch Cuki Alvarez bar-hop during one of the Marianas Racing Association races last Sunday at the Kan Pacific grounds. (Joseph Chin)

Meanwhile, other first place finishers in the race sponsored by Pacific Trading Co., IT&E, 4 Ever CNMI, YCO True Value, and Matson, were Corey Pangelinan, Henry Camacho Sr., Efrain Taimanao, and Jonoah Santos.

Santos won in the peewees class, edging Keenon Togawa and Harley MacKenzie Susulin, while Taimanao won the minis I/II after prevailing over Michael Camacho and Mari Alvarez.

Young riders get ready at the starting line. (Joseph Chin)

Henry Camacho Sr. ruled the Big Boy ATV division after outclassing Ton Basa and Zack Sakamoto, while Corey Pangelinan triumphed in the novice 125/250 class, downing Gino Dela Cruz and Vince Torres.

Last Sunday’s races came less than a week after the Marpi property where the Cowtown Raceway used to be located was signed over to MRA via memorandum of understanding with the CNMI government, through the Department of Public Lands and Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.

Riders carve a tricky part of the course. 9Joseph Chin)

MRA will need months to clear the former racetrack and relayout courses so it will continue to hold weekly races at the Kan Pacific grounds. The public is invited to watch the races, which usually take place in the afternoon.

The post Sablan, Alvarez top MRA races appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

In this 2019 file photo, elementary school students head out to the course during the last qualifier for the Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Championships held at the Saipan Country Club. (Contributed Photo)

Seven elementary schools will have a complete team when they compete in the opening leg of the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series this Friday at the CPA Airport Field.

Saipan Community School has a full roster for its co-ed U11 squad after listing Joshua and Patrick McDonald, Allie Brasuell, Andre Guerrero, Vivian Chung, and Richard Zao on its six-student team plus alternate Jessica Gao. William S. Reyes Elementary School is also all set with Marc Hernandez, Edwin Liclican, Jiro Quindoza, Kristen Sierra, Sylbella Taisague, and Alliyah Villacrusis making up the squad, which also includes Monicah Salazar as alternate.

All Schools track meet perennial winner Moshe Sikkel will lead the co-ed crew of Brilliant Star School and will team up with Nason Wessel, Pattseera Kasemsri, Aya and Sophia Smith, and Aiden Camacho. SIS will have returnees Finn Altizer, Leilani Ruszala, and Jude Rayphand joining forces with Faith and Neveah Arriola, Gabriel Walsh and alternate Eliza Culp.

Agape Christian School also has a complete roster in Alice Duan, Jessie Campbell, Reyvile Van Escarlan, Benjami Cai, Joey Xia, and Daniel Huang plus an alternate Ratul Bhuya. Kagman has listed Justo Quitugua, Jacob Santos, Tatum Jones, Paige Blanco, Jolene Cabrera, and Tsybokiko Joab on its six-student team, while Americus Murphy is named as alternate.

Rounding out the U11 teams with full squad is Isla Montessori, which will be represented by Georgia Baetge, Katie Manglona, Oliver and Addison Paulinh, Jackson Koning, Cooper Fong, and alternate Jason Baetge.

Mt. Carmel School will also compete in this weekend’s U11 races, but will only field three students in Draven Tudela and Heni and Stephen Yeom.

Schools will be divided into two groups to avoid crowding with the first one racing at 4:15pm and the second at 5pm. Students in the U11 age groups will run the 1.1-mile course at the CPA Airport Field and must complete the race in 25 minutes.

After this Friday’s opener, PSS and NMA will still have two more qualifiers—Nov. 13 and 20—and schools are permitted to change their rosters to allow other students to join the races.

Organizers are limiting the number of participants in this cross country season as a safety measure against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The post 7 schools field full squads in cross country opener appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

The CNMI national teams welcomed the news on the Asian Football Confederation getting ready for the schedule of events for 2021, as they continue to put in the work to prepare for off-island competitions.

The Commonwealth’s players were slated to compete in several tournaments this year, including the EAFF E-1 Men’s Football Championship 2021 Preliminary Round 1 and two AFC qualifying events, but these events were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These competitions maybe rescheduled next year, as Northern Mariana Islands Football Association, during its 10th Ordinary Congress last Friday, announced that AFC has started discussions on the calendar of events for 2021.

NMIFA technical director and CNMI Men’s National Team head coach Michiteru Mita said this development is good news to the Commonwealth’s players who are still training despite the pandemic and the uncertainties surrounding their scheduled off-island tournaments.

“The men’s and women’s national team players and junior academy players continue to work hard with a commitment for future tournaments and their respective goals or objectives. Normally, it is very hard to keep training without the local leagues and tournaments because soccer players practice for games. But they understand the situation, and they also know the COVID-19 situation in Guam, so they keep practicing and appreciate the opportunity given for national teams to continue training,” Mita said.

The CNMI men’s and women’s national squads resumed training in June, but with restrictions as they have to strictly follow the safety measures NMIFA and the local and federal government are implementing against the COVID-19 virus. The Junior National Academy, on the other hand, started its recruitment of new players in August, while U17 and U19 boys teams, and the U16 girls are also having their regular practices at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

“We try to create a training environment that is closer to international standards. Most of our current national players learned from past international tournaments so they know the quality techniques, speed, power, and the decisions needed during the game,” the Blue Ayuyus coach said.

“They make use of the experience and try to improve these aspects even in a limited environment during this pandemic. Each national team has discussions among players after every training to reflect the day’s training and they always compare the quality and intensity of our training with the international level,” Mita added.

The NMIFA technical director commended the CNMI players for their efforts and dedication in training, but pointed out that they really need to compete in actual games to be better prepared for off-island tournaments.

“We continue training. This is a good advantage for maintaining football fitness and also it is good for team bonding. But we have no league and competitions and we cannot have training camp now. Also some countries have resumed their domestic leagues so it is hard to say we have advantage because we’ve been training despite the pandemic.

NMIFA, during last Friday’s gathering, said it will try to find ways to slowly, but safely, hold regular matches at the NMISTC.

“Soccer players need to play as many games as possible. Hopefully, the COVID-19 situation would be better and we can resume local leagues in the near future so we can bring back the game environment. Our national teams will continue to work hard no matter what situation is to prepare for future tournaments,” Mita said.

The post Work continues for NMI nat’l teams appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

In this 2018 file photo, Charlie Sendin makes his way to the bike-run transition area at the Last Command Post during a Triathlon Association of the CNMI-organized duathlon and trail run event. (Contributed Photo)

Registration for the 5th Off-Road Duathlon and North Trail Run has reached past the century mark with 126 signing up online for the this Saturday’s event.

The 11.5-kilometer trail run has drawn the most participants with 90 have already registered—61 in the men’s and 29 in the women’s. The duathlon race, on the other hand, has attracted 36, 13 in the men’s individual and seven in the women’s. Nine have signed up for the men’s relay and seven in the mixed division.

Both the duathlon and trail run races, which will kick off at 6:30am, will start and end at the Last Command Post in Marpi.

From the Last Command Post, participants in the trail run will proceed to the North Trail Loop, pathway and then to Kimikaze Trail, Autobahn Trail, Santa Clause Trail, and Banzai Trail-Cliff before returning to the start/finish line. There is no cut-off off time for the trail run.

In this 2018 file photo, Heather Brook smiles as she nears completion of the Triathlon Association of the CNMI-organized duathlon and trail run event. (Contributed Photo)

In the duathlon, cut-off time is three hours with the 6K trail run covering Dumping, Banzai Trail, Banzai Cliff, and back to Last Command Post for the first leg. For the second leg, mountain bike riders must go through Ayuyu Drive/FEBC, Kimikaze Trail, Authonbahn Trail, Santa Klaus, Banzai Trail, Banzai Cliff, and back to the Last Command Post for the 15K course. For the third and final leg, participants will only take on the 2.5K run course along the Last Command Post pathway.

Medals and other prizes will be given to the top finishers in the duathlon and trail run, while finishers will get T-shirts.

This weekend’s 5th Off-Road Duathlon and North Trail Run is organized by the Triathlon Association of the CNMI and is a fundraiser with proceeds going to the group’s hosting of the triathlon event in the 2022 Pacific Mini Games and for the maintenance of the trail routes in the northern side of the island.

The post Over 100 sign up for North Trail duathlon/run appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

A Saipan International School runner keeps a steady place during last year’s Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Championship at the Saipan Country Club. (Contributed Photo)

It looks like the opening leg of the high school division races in the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series may be a preview of the battle for the championship between rivals Agape Christian School and Saipan International School.

Agape and SIS are the only teams to submit a full roster in the boys and girls U18 division of the high school races that will be held this Saturday morning at the CPA Airport Field.

The Torchbearers, who took last year’s boys U18 title after scoring 26 points against SIS’ 45 (the Top 5 runners from each school received points and the team with the least points was declared the winner), has Samuel He, Jason Cao, Ray Qi, Eason Tang, Peter Hu, Allen Luo, and alternate Caleb Dai for this weekend’s 3.1-mile run. The Geckos, on the other hand, will be pinning their hopes on Rex Pixley, Jack Linden, Sam Culp, Jesus Sablan, Xin Paul Chen, Jayden Shin, and alternate Matthew Berline.

In the girls U18 division where Agape is also the defending champion after downing SIS last season, 31-38, the former’s complete roster is made up of Elizabeth Xu, Emma Pang, Grace Shi, Eunice and Sally Wu, Elim Huang, and alternate Vivian Wu. SIS’ side has Tiana Cabrera, Linxi Cai, Rachel Shin, Pyper Liske-Clark, Jinnie Thompson, Helen Kim, and alternate Francine Asedillo.

A big group of middle and high school runners heads out to the course during last season’s Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series. This year, PSS and NMA are limiting the number of participants in the cross country races as a safety measure against the COVID-19 pandemic. (Contributed Photo)

The U18 races will have 57 runners, including those representing the Tinian Junior and Senior High School, Mr. Carmel School, and Marianas High School.

The Tinian Stallions have a complete boys U18 team with siblings Cody and Collin Dela Cruz leading the squad and joining forces with Peyton Christian, Kylle Cruz, Raiden Reyes, and Christian Lucero. In the girls U18, Tinian has only three entries in Emiliana King, Fyema Pelaez, and Cheralaine Epity.

The Dolphins have five runners in the boys U18—Josh Joson, Anthony Bergancia, Chad Escaner, Jiam Maniago, and Blake Mister—and four in the girls U18—Ariel Narvaez, Allyssa Angeles, Christelle Itaas, and Katrina Costales.

Mt. Carmel has a full roster in the girls U18 with Aleai Santos, Fiona Bucaig, Iver Dimaun, Erin Frink, Penelope Sablan, and Ha’ani Seman racing for the Knights. Skyler Poon, Jihwan Ryu, and Lee Seungwo of the Boys U18 division rounded the MCS’ lineup.

In this 2019 file photo, Agape Christian School students and officials came in full force during the finals of the Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series at the Saipan Country Club. (Contributed Photo)

The high school races will implement a cutoff time for safety measures with runners required to complete the course in 35 minutes or they will be escorted out of the field. No shaking of hands all throughout the event and runners must wear mask before and after the races. Only runners and race officials are allowed on the course and finishers must leave the field right after they complete the race.

Runners in the boys U18 division will take the course first, starting at 6:30am, while the girls will have their turn at 7am.

High school runners must compete in at least one of the three qualifiers to be eligible in next month’s finale races where the champions in each division will be determined by points (the team with the least points wins). Points will only be awarded to the Top 4 runners of each school.

The post SIS, Agape renew cross country rivalry appeared first on Saipan Tribune.