In this file photo, Edward C. Sablan tees off in one of Saipan Golfers Association’s earlier tournaments at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort. (Contributed Photo)

Edward C. Sablan secured a slot to the club championship after taking the Saipan Golfers Association’s August Ace last Sunday.

Sablan delivered a net 69 to finish second behind Steve Balakrishna (net 68) and two shots ahead of Ben Lizama (net 71). Balakrishna had already won the July Ace, allowing Sablan to notch the August plum and qualify for the SGA Ace of Aces.

The 20-handicapper Sablan was pretty consistent with his game on the east course of the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort after firing a 44 on the front and 45 on the back for a gross 89. Balakrishna, on the other hand, had a strong start with his even par 36 in the first nine holes before the 11-handicapper slowed down in the last with a 43 for a gross 79. Lizama, a 18-handicapper, had a pair of 45s for a gross 90.

Balakrishna’s best net scores in the SGA August Ace tournament was highlighted by two closest to the pin shots—on the par-3s, 150-yard No. 6 and 122-yard No. 15. Nick Sablan and Jung Eun Teack were the other closest to the pin winners, achieving the fete on the 150-yard No. 4 and 170-yard No. 11, respectively. Sablan also had a longest drive shot on the par-5, 502-yard No. 8, while Rene Batallones made the same shot on the par-4, 257-yard No. 5.

Meanwhile, with the August Ace tournament completed, SGA is slowly catching up with its monthly competitions, which have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Next up for SGA is the September Ace event, which is scheduled for this Sunday, Nov. 8, also at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort.

Excluding this weekend’s competition, SGA will hold three more events to complete the SGA Ace of Aces’ cast, which already has Attorney General Edward Manibusan (January Ace), Teack (February), Nick Sablan (March), Juan “Pan” Guerrero (April), Das Krishnan (May), Larry Deleon Guerrero (June), Steve Balakrishna (July), and Edward Sablan (August).

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Elementary school students race 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)

The first major interscholastic competition of the season will kick off with the elementary division (U11) races, which will feature 51 runners from eight schools.

Safety measures will be strictly implemented before, during, and after the races, including social distancing rules. PSS and NMA marked the course yesterday to guide runners and keep their distance from each other all throughout the race. There will be starting boxes and runners will head out to the course in two heats.

Heat 1 will be for runners representing William S. Reyes Elementary School, Saipan Community School, Brilliant Star School, and Saipan International School and the race will start at 4:15pm. Heat 2 race kickoff will be at 5pm and will feature students from Agape Christian School, Mt. Carmel School, Kagman Elementary School, and Isla Montessori School.

Each school is allowed a maximum of six runners (plus one alternate) and the squad should be co-ed with at least two female and two male members. Students-runners must complete the 1.1-mile course in 25 minutes or those who will not make the cut-off time will be escorted out of the field and marked did not finish on the results table. Finishers must quickly exit the CPA Field after their respective races, as NMA and PSS are discouraging large crowd gathering during the event. Spectators are not allowed to enter the start/finish area, while runners must wear masks before and after their races, and coaches/officials must wear masks at all times.

Race officials work on marking the CPA Airport Field in preparation for this afternoon’s opening leg of the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series. (Contributed Photo)

Middle school races draw 43
The same safety rules will be applied for tomorrow’s middle school competition, which attracted 43 participants.

The boys division (U14) race will go ahead first at 7:35am, while the girls will take the field at 8:05am. Cut-off time for the 2.1-mile race is 30 minutes.

Agape, which won the championship both in the boys and girls middle school races last year, will have nine runners in the first leg of the series. Barba Wang, Serena Chen, Ruth Zhang, and Esther and Jenny Xu are the members of Agape’s girls crew, while Peter Peng, Boxin Chen, Danny Cheng, and Joseph Li will run for the Torchbearers’ boys team.

Others competing in the U14 divisions are SIS, Mt. Carmel, Saipan Community, Hopwood Middle School, and Francisco M. Sablan Middle School.

FMS has a strong seven-student team (including alternate) in Froilan Wabol, Tony Satur, Daniel Santos, Charles Rodreges, Payton Basa, Christian Lucero, and Cedric Catacutan. For its girls team, FMS will be banking on Narita Sellem, R-nessa Shorey, Maya Rebuenog, and Teneasha Diaz.

SIS has a complete team in both boys and girls division. Christian Newman will lead the Geckos in the boys race and will be teaming up with Casey Chambers, William Lee, Peter White, and Kyle Kramer. The SIS girls squad, on the other hand, has Savita Sikkel, Rebecca Eaton, Phoenix Gross, Hoo Wang, Eva Lizunova, and Ziting Wu.

Mt. Carmel has only four runners in siblings Mark Jainier, Julie Anne, and Andrei Kaithlyn Chavez and June Yi, while Hopwood is fielding three—all in the boys race—Charles Guiang, James Xing, and Tyrone Manipon. Saipan Community has the least number of entries in the middle school division with only David Ye and Hilah Bacani joining this Saturday morning’s races.

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Referees and Northern Mariana Islands Football Association staff and officials pose for a photo with the players of the CNMI national teams after completing a referee course last Sunday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Contributed Photo)

The Northern Mariana Islands Football Association’s referee program got a needed boost, as 14 completed a referee course last weekend at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

Jeremish Diaz, Irish Pagarao, Sebastien Manabat, Amzad Khan, Lilian Podziewski, Merrick Toves, Akira Kadokura, Rinto Takahashi, Ezekiel Canape, Marinel Falalimpa, Taka Borja, Davy Laxa, Aloyzeus Angeles, and Nicole Lumbad attended the Nov. 7 and 8 referee course conducted by Asian Football Confederation and East Asian Football Federation instructor Noboru Ishiyama of the Japan Football Association.

Ishiyama held theoretical sessions online, while NMIFA coach and referee Angie Ito and NMIFA executive director Ruselle Zapanta conducted the practical part of the course.

Marinel Falalimpa gestures as she officiates a game during the practical session of the referee course. (Contributed Photo)

According to Ito, the two-day course put emphasis on offsides, handball, anticipation and positioning, and free kick management.

“These situations were what the referee committee noticed our local referees struggled with during our last season,” Ito said, adding that he and Zapanta had a couple of meetings with Ishiyama before last weekend’s event to prepare for the course.

“The completion of this course is as significant as our coaching courses because NMIFA aims not only to improve and develop players and coaches, but also develop our referees and this all ties up to further developing the sport of soccer in our islands. We are very grateful for EAFF’s support during this pandemic and for giving us an opportunity to deepen our knowledge of the game,” Ito said.

Asian Football Confederation and East Asian Football Federation instructor Noboru Ishiyama (on the screen) of the Japan Football Association joins the referee course participants and facilitators for a group photo at the conclusion of their classroom session at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Contributed Photo)

Laxa said the course is very timely, as it’s been awhile since they officiated games because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This time seems to be the best time since it’s offseason and many have forgotten about the rules. This course served as a refresher and another learning opportunity for us,” Laxa said.

Ezekiel Canape officiates one of the training games played by members of the CNMI national teams. (Contributed Photo)

The 14 referees completed the practical part of the course through the help of the members of the CNMI national teams. The Commonwealth bets played matches and Laxa and company officiated the games and applied what they have learned from both the two-day classes.

Laxa, who is one of the referees assigned in the CNMI’s premier men’s competition—the M-League—added that attending the course conducted by Ishiyama is special to him.

Referee course facilitator Ruselle Zapanta gives pointers to referees. (Contributed Photo)

“He was actually my instructor when I was a referee at the EAFF U15 Boys Tournament 2018 in China. It’s great to have a professional referee instruct many of our young and veteran referees We were able to learn a lot from him,” Laxa said.

“It’s important that we keep learning the rules of the game and develop our skills as we see the continued growth of the sport here.”

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Richard Steele, left, dribbles away from his defender during a scrimmage for the CNMI national team training pool last weekend at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Contributed Photo)

CNMI soccer welcomes back into its fold MP United Football Club’s Richard Steele.

After relocating to California a little over a year ago, Steele and his family returned to Saipan last August and the striker has since joined the practice sessions of the Commonwealth’s national team training pool at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

“It’s great to be back. I’m having a lot of fun with the national team program. Playing with the island’s top players is a cool and competitive experience. The guys on the team, I not only see them as teammates but as good friends as well,” the 16-year-old said.

Steele last played in the 2019 Northern Mariana Islands Football Association Spring Youth League and left a mark in the competition by winning the Golden Boot award in the boys U15 division after scoring a season-high 23 goals.

When he and his family left Saipan in the summer of 2019, the youth player continued his passion and played in club and interscholastic leagues in California. Steele suited up for the junior varsity team of Santa Ynez Valley High School and was named Best Offensive Player of the Pirates.

Though he had a brief stint in various leagues in California, Steele learned a lot from his teams and coaches and the experience and knowledge he gained there are definitely helping him now that he is back on island.

Richard Steele chases the ball during a scrimmage for the CNMI national team training pool last weekend at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Contributed Photo)

“I wouldn’t say that playing in the States made me a ‘cocky’ player, but I feel that since I was playing against a bunch of bigger and stronger teams in California, I’m not afraid of playing soccer here and I feel like I’m able to compete in the highest level here on island,” said Steele, who also played for the Kickers Soccer Club of Los Olivos and the Santa Ynez’s varsity tennis team.

“I learned in California that coaches love players who are dedicated and focused on the game, and I do my best to carry that attitude into my trainings here,” he added.

CNMI national team assistant coach Jersh Angeles is pleased to finally see Steele in the program.

“I am really glad Richard and his family are back on the island and that he is now part of the national team training pool. He’s been planning to join the national team years ago but it was that time when he and his family were about to move to the US. Richard is committed to the national team, always attentive to the coaches and always does his best during training. His quickness and aggressiveness are his strong points. I’ve already seen huge improvement from him since the day he first joined the team,” Angeles said.

Steele can’t wait to resume playing in regular games at the NMISTC with the national team training pool and MP United and is happy to again enjoy the island life.

“Going to the beach with friends and family has always meant a lot to me, and I try and treasure every moment that I spent with my friends that I grew up with. What I miss the most about CNMI soccer is the passion that my team, MPU plays with. I grew up with most of the guys on the team, and I see everyone on the squad as my brothers. I’ve always had a ton of fun playing with these guys, win or lose.”

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In this 2014 file photo, father and daughter Jeff and Gabi Race negotiate one of the few flat, but rocky roads to Mt. Tapochao during the Turkey Trot Run. (Saipan Tribune)

The event that has become a tradition on Saipan for Thanksgiving Day, unfortunately, will not be held this year, as Northern Marianas Athletics has decided to cancel the 36th Mt. Tapochao Turkey Trot Run due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NMA president Ramon Tebuteb said that since the Turkey Trot usually draws more than 100 participants, having the event on Nov. 26 will go against the CNMI’s governments safety rules on large crowd gathering. Last year, 135 joined the 4.2-mile race from Lower Base to the highest peak on Saipan.

“The NMA board has canceled the association’s remaining activities due to the pandemic. Until such time that the CNMI has been officially cleared from restrictions, the NMA board will continue to suspend its activities to take into serious consideration the health and welfare of the community,” Tebuteb said.

Participants in last year’s 35th Turkey Trot Run head out to Capitol Hill. (Saipan Tribune)

Jeff Race, who has participated in more than 20 editions of the Turkey Trot, though saddened with the cancelation understood NMA’s decision.

“Oh, no! That’s unfortunate, but safety is our priority,” said Race, whose been on Saipan the last 33 years and remembers missing only a few Turkey Trot races.

“I won’t miss it this year. This event has been part of my Thanksgiving morning tradition. Unofficially, I will run up to Mt. Tapochao on Thanksgiving Day,” the CNMI Sports Hall of Famer said.

Race’s daughter, Gabi, started doing the Turkey Trot when she was just 11 years old and through she won’t be able to join her dad this year, she relishes the moments of her previous treks to Mt. Tapochao with her friends and the couple of first place finishes in the NMA event.

In this 2014 file photo, participants in the Turkey Trot Run leave Lower Base on their way to Mt. Tapochao. (Saipan Tribune)

Charlie Sendin, another regular at the Turkey Trot and was the overall first finisher in the 2012 race, looks forward to this year’s event as he does every year because of the challenging course—up and down and paved and coral road. He is confident that the competition will be back next year and hopes NMA could have another event before the season wraps up

Under NMA’s annual calendar, it’s season-ending event is the Christmas Island Relay.

Tebuteb said no decision has been made as far as the relay event is concerned, as the NMA boar is still working on a proposal for the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force.

The post No Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

High school runners are still in a close race in the first few meters of the opening leg of the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series last Saturday at the CPA Airport Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Defending champion Agape Christian School and opening leg winner Saipan International School may have to brace for tougher competition in the second part of the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series as two more teams are fielding complete rosters for tomorrow’s event at the CPA Airport Field.

Marianas High School and Mt. Carmel School have listed a full crew for the second leg of the U18 qualifying races, posing a great challenge to Agape and SIS.

The Geckos swept the top honors in the series opener with Rex Pixley ruling the boys high school race last Saturday and Tiana Cabrera winning the girls division. Agape, on the other hand, had best overall performance in the boys U18 race with six of its runners making it to the Top 10, including the No. 2 to No. 4 spots, which Ray Qi, Eason Tang, and Allen Luo occupied. In the girls division, although Cabrera handed SIS the top finish, Agape runners dominated the overall rankings, getting the second to seventh places in the ladder.

MHS did not field a single runner in the girls U18 race last weekend, but will have a full crew this Saturday with Jerlyn Castillo and Kina Rangamar anchoring the Lady Dolphins. Allyssya Angeles, Leani Acosta, Sedrei Camacho, Marnickka Teigita, and alternate Ria Rengiil complete the squad. In the boys division, opening leg participant Blake Mister, Anthony Bergancia and Jim Maniago will be back and will team up with Brian Lubao, Sildrey Veloria, Daniel Mar Pablo, and alternate John Lloyd Dela Cruz. Some MHS runners missed the opening leg, as they joined a duathlon/trail run event in Marpi held simultaneously with the cross country kick-off.

Saipan International School runners and coach Kathy Ruszala huddle before going to the starting line of the U11 race last Friday at the CPA Airport Field. (Contributed Photo)

Mt. Carmel had only one entry to the boys U18 race last weekend with Robin Alvarez ranked No. 15. He will compete anew in the second leg and will be joined by Chris Kim, Skyler Poon, Jihwan Ryu, Seung Woo Lee, and Vince Salvador. The Knights also have a six-runner roster in the girls U18 race with Aleaia Santos, Fiona Bucalig, Kaia Travilla, Erin Frink, Puti’on Camacho, and Amaya Grace Reyes signing up for tomorrow’s event.

After their strong starts in the opening leg, both Agape and SIS made changes in their roster to give other runners a chance to race. Caleb Dai, Abraham Zhu, Peter Yang, Timothy Yu, David Zhao, Peter Hu, and Samuel He will compete for Agape’s boys U18. As for SIS boys U18, Pixley is listed only as alternate, as the Geckos will field Charles McDonald, Jimin Woo, Ivan Li, Matthew Berline, Andrew Sablan, and Yunwoo Nam in tomorrow’s event. In the girls U18, Helen Kim and Rachel Shin will have their season debut and will join returnees Cabrera, Linxi Cai, Puper Liske-Clark, and Jinnie Thompson.

Tomorrow’s high school course will cover a distance of 3.1 miles and runners are required to complete the race in 35 minutes of they will be ushered out of the field and their results will be marked as did not finish.

Elementary school runners head out to the course during the opening of the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series last Friday at the CPA Airport Field. (Contributed Photo)

Runners have to go through at least one qualifying race to earn a slot to the championship round, which is set for Dec. 5. In the finale, only schools with at least four runners will qualify for the division championship, but they are still allowed to field a maximum of six students in each age group. The division winner will be determined by the performance of their Top 4 finishers, as points will be given to each runner (one for first, 2 for second, and so on). The team with the least points wins.

Meanwhile, the elementary (U11) and middle school’s (U14) second leg will also take place this weekend.

The U11 races will be held this afternoon with Brilliant Star School, SIS, Agape, Kagman Elementary School, and Mt. Carmel bringing in new runners, while Isla Montessori School will stick to its opening leg roster for the 1.1-mile run.

The U14 competition will take place this Saturday after the U18 races with Agape, Hopwood, Mt. Carmel, SIS, and Francisco M. Sablan Middle School having a mixed of opening leg participants and new ones for the 2.1-mile event.

The post More competitive HS race appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

Bikers head up north in Marpi during last year’s Hell of Marianas Century Cycle Race. (Northern Mariana Islands
Cycling Federation)

This year’s Hell of the Marianas will go ahead amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but the course will be shortened.

Instead of the usual 100-kilometer race, the Dec. 6 event will only cover a distance of 68K, according to race director Jay Diyco of the Northern Mariana Islands Cycling Federation. Diyco added that they decided to shorten and alter the course since no pros and off-island bikers are allowed to compete in the event that’s dubbed as the Century Cycle Race (thus the 100K distance). NMICF will be working on local events for now and hopes to bring back the original distance and course next year.

This year’s Hell of Marianas will only have two divisions, solo race and two-person relay team.

For the individual category, bikers will start and end the race at the former Mariana Resort & Spa in Marpi and will pass through Mobil Tanapag, 5 Corners, La Fiesta, and 4 Corners (no Radar route). In the relay, the first lap, which will have bikers leaving Mariana Resort for Mobil Tanapag and 5 Corners and back to start/finish line, while the second and lap will bring riders to La Fiesta and 4 Corners (no Radar) before heading back to Marianas Resort.

Registration fees are $30 (solo) and $60 (relay) if settled on or before Nov. 30. Entry fees will increase to $40 (individual) and $80 (relay) starting on Dec. 1.

Last year’s Hell of the Marianas drew more than 100 bikers, including men’s champion and Australia’s Kevin Biffiger. The biker from the Land Down Under completed the 100K course in 2:57:02, more than seven minutes behind Edgar Nohales Nieto of Spain. Biffiger was handed the victory after Nieto and four other members of the lead pack took the wrong turn in the third leg of last year’s race, missing the turnaround point in Kagman and were eventually disqualified.

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High school runners enter the loop on their way out to the course during last Saturday’s second leg of the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series at the CPA Airport Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Saipan International School’s Tiana Cabrera made it two in a row, while Agape Christian School’s Peter Hu won his debut as the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series continued last Saturday at the CPA Airport Field.

Cabrera was the top finisher anew in the girls high school (U18) division after clocking in at 22:32 in the 3.1-mile race. The SIS student beat her time in the opening leg (23:19).

Agape Christian School’s Peter Hu is on his way to a first place finish in the boys U18 race. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

In the boys U18 division, Hu did not surpass the winning time (20:31) of SIS’ Rex Pixley in the kick-off leg, but the Agape runner foiled the Geckos bet’s bid for back-to-back victories. Hu completed the three-lap course in 20:41. Hu, Pixley, and two other Agape runners kept each other’s company early in the race before the former made his move on his way to completing the second lap. For the final lap, the Agape student finished way ahead of his closest pursuer, as he was alone when he entered the finish line loop, while Pixley was still on the other side of the course.

The second leg of the boys U18 race drew more participants, but still Agape and SIS stood out. Agape’s David Zhao joined Hu and Pixley in the podium, while four SIS runners—Jimin Woo, Charles McDonald, Andrew Sablan, and Sean Lee—and two more Agape students—Abraham Zhu and Peter Shen—made it to the Top 10. Skyler Poon was the lone Mt. Carmel School players to barge into the Top 10, while other finishers were Agape’s Timothy Yu and Caleb Dai, SIS’ Yunwoo Nam, Mt. Carmel’s Robin Alcarez, Jihwan Ryu, Mark Jainier Chavez, and Vince Salvador, and MHS’ John Lloyd Dela Cruz.

Saipan International School’s Tiana Cabrera, left, joins a small group of runners on their way to completing the first lap of the 3.1-mile course in last Saturday’s 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series at the CPA Airport Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

In the girls U18 division, Cabrera also had a convincing win, breaking away from the lead group after passing the finish line loop on her way to the second lap of the course. The SIS student handed Agape’s Emma Pang another runner-up finish. Agape dominated anew the Top 10 with Eunice Xu, Grace Shi, Elizabeth Xu, and Vivian and Sally Wu taking the No. 3 to No. 8 rankings, respectively. SIS’ Linxi Cai, MHS’ Allyssya Angeles, and Mt. Carmel’s Aleia Santos rounded out the Top 10.

Other finishers in the girls high school race were SIS’ Jinnie Thompson and Pyper Liske-Clark, MHS’ Jerlyn Castillo, Kina Rangalar, and Sedrei Camacho, and Mt. Carmel’s Erin Frink, Fiona Bucalig, Kaia Travilla, and Amay Grace Reyes.

Two runners keep a steady pace as they go for the second lap of the race. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Last Saturday’s event was the penultimate qualifier for U18 division. The last qualifier will be held this Saturday and high school runners must compete in at least one trial to be able to gain entry to the championship race scheduled for Dec. 5 also at the CPA Airport Field.

Meanwhile, the middle school’s second qualifier was also held last weekend and results will be reported in Saipan Tribune’s Tuesday edition.

The post Agape, SIS split top honors appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

In this 2014 file photo, Raymond Santos competes in the Micronesian Games in Pohnpei. (Contributed Photo)

Micronesian Games medalist Raymond Santos competed in the 2020-2021 Oceania Weightlifting Federation League Tournament for the first time, while David Barnhouse made back-to-back appearances in the virtual event.

The two CNMI weightlifters were part of Pacific Team 2 that battled Fiji in the fifth round of the OWF competition held early this month. Santos, who won three silver medals in the 2014 Micro Games in Pohnpei, recorded a total of 215 kg in his debut in the league after registering 90 kg in the snatch and 125 kg in the clean & jerk. Barnhouse, also a veteran of the Micro Games and won gold medals in Pohnpei, posted the second-best score in Round 5 for Pacific Team 2 after logging 220 kg (95 kg in snatch and 125 in clean & jerk).

New Caledonia’s Kyle Michel was the best performer for Pacific Team 2 with his 244 kg (112 kg in snatch and 132 in clean & jerk). Other members of the squad were Vanuatu’s Frank Vira (135 kg) and Robinson Wotleen (185 kg), New Caledonia’s Quentin Mattei (220 kg) and Guam’s Vinci Levi Ebidag (183 kg). In the women’s division, Pacific Team 2 was represented by Guam’s Jacinta Sumagaysay (170 kg), Armie Almazan (160 kg), Brittney Pereda (170 kg), Nicola Lagatao (133 kg), and Dami Dabbin (125 kg) and New Caledonia’s Jessica Idjan (127 kg) and Prescillia Piotrowski (138 kg).

Pacific Team 2 combined for 1,427.30 kg (aggregate total minus squad’s total bodyweight), which was better than its record in Round 4 (1,240.55) against Australia. However, victory is still elusive for Pacific Team 2, as it fell short against Fiji, which registered 1,448.65 kg to enter the win column in the 10-team field.

Two more rounds are left in the competition and the penultimate one will be held on Nov. 27 and 28. Pacific Team 2 will try again to snap its losing skid, but it will need a major upset in Round 6 as the cellar dweller will take on pacesetter Samoa.

Samoa is undefeated after five rounds to gain the solo lead in the virtual tournament. Samoa kept its perfect record after dominating Kiribati in Round 5, 2,685.84 kg-1, 336.50 kg.

Slightly behind Samoa in second place are Australia (4-1) and New Zealand (4-1), while Kiribati (3-2) dropped to a tie for third with Nauru. Rounding out the standings are Pacific 1 (2-3), Papua New Guinea (2-3), Fiji (1-4), the Solomon Islands (1-4), and Pacific 2 (0-5).

New Zealand notched win No. 4 after topping the Solomon Islands in Round 5, while Australia downed PNG, and Nauru outclassed Pacific Team 1.

The post Santos debuts in Oceania meet; Barnhouse competes anew appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

Mt. Carmel School’s Kaithlyn Chavez, left, and Francisco M. Sablan Middle School’s Christian Lucero head to the finish line in the second leg of the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series last Saturday at the CPA Airport Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Mt. Carmel School’s Kaithlyn Chavez and Francisco M. Sablan Middle School’s Christian Lucero had triumphant debuts in the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series.

Chavez and Lucero joined the second leg of the competition held last Saturday at the CPA Airport Field after missing the series opener and stole the thunder from the favored Agape Christian School runners. The Mt. Carmel School student emerged as the overall top finisher in the middle school race, winning the girls U14 division after completing the 2.1-mile run around the 14-minute mark (official time was not recorded). Lucero followed Chavez to the finish line a few seconds later to rule the boys U14 division.

The FMS student rounded the two-lap course way ahead of opening leg winner and Agape runner Peter Peng, who dropped to seventh place in last weekend’s second qualifier. Peng’s teammate Joseph Li came in at second in the boys U14 and was followed Saipan International School’s Joseph Li and Gyu Hyeon Park, and another Agape bet, Danny Cheng. SIS’ Casey Chambers, Mt. Carmel’s June Yu, and Saipan Community School’s Elija Ye completed the Top 10, while other finishers in the division were SIS’ Kyle Kramer and Peter White, Agape’s Boxin Chen, SCS’ Dwight Crisostomo and David Ye, and Hopwood’s Charles Guiang and John Quidato.

Middle school runners head to the course in the second leg of the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series last Saturday at the CPA Airport Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

In the girls U14 race, Chavez prevailed against 12 runners, including first leg winner Barbara Wang of Agape. Chavez and Wang were neck-and-neck on their way to completing the first lap of the course before the Mt. Carmel student broke away heading out of the finish line loop. Chavez was still behind Lucero going into the last 400m and change of the race, but the former caught up with the latter and eventually took the driver’s seat just before she made a left turn toward the finish line loop.

Joining Chavez and Wang in the Top 5 of the girls middle school race were SIS’ Savita Sikkel, Agape’s Serena Chen, and the former’s sister, Julie Anne Chavez. Rounding out the girls U14 finishers list were Agape’s Esther and Jenny Xu and Ruth Zhang, SIS’ Rebecca Eaton, Phoenix Gross, and Hoo Wang, and FMS’ Teneasha Diaz and Nerita Sellem.

Agape Christian School and Saipan Community School runners keep each other’s company early in the race. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

With the second leg of the middle school race in the books, only one qualifying event is left and it will be held this Saturday also at the CPA Airport Field. Runners in the U14 age group must race in at least one qualifying event to earn a spot in the championship round set for Dec. 5.

Each school is allowed to field six runners per division plus one alternate both in the last qualifier and the final race. In the championship round, only the results of the Top 4 runners of each school will be counted to determine the division winners. Agape is the defending champion in both the girls and boys U14 age groups. Schools without at least four runners will not qualify for the team championship.

The post New winners in U14 races appeared first on Saipan Tribune.

Rex Pixley, right, and Tiana Cabrera, left, seen here racing in last Saturday’s 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series at the CPA Airport Field, are members of Saipan International School teams that completed the Run The Marianas last week. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Mile High Club, English Academy, Freshmen ’24, and 10th Graders SIS “reached” Rota to finish the Run The Marianas about three months ahead of schedule.

Freshmen ’24, 10th Graders SIS, and Mile High Club completed the 460-mile virtual race that started at Farallon De Pajaros last week, while English Academy “made” it to the finish line on Rota last Tuesday. The four teams’ Run the Marianas journey brought them to Maug (42-mile mark), Asuncion (67), Agrihan (130), Pagan (175), Alamagan (214), Guguan (234), Sarigan (276), Anatahan (300), Farallon De Midinilla (325), Saipan (376), SIS (388), Tinian (397), and Aguijan (410) before the final stop on Rota. The early finishers joined the Saipan International School and Northern Marianas Athletics-organized event about a week after the race kicked off (Oct. 15) and logged the required mileage way ahead of the Feb. 14 cut-off.

“I was expecting that we will finish around December, but more team members joined, the date came closer and closer,” said Mile High Club captain Jeffrey Bacani, who teamed up with Mary Deala, Jonathan Sugutan, Terence Leung, Edward Dela Cruz Jr., Anastasiia Dela Cruz, Jay Muna, Tricia Cortez, and Elena Gersonde.

Bacani, who recorded about 25 miles during his runs on the road across the Oleai Sports Complex and on a treadmill, added that having teammates putting in the time and effort motivated him to get up in the morning and make his contribution.

“Some of our members averaged 20 miles a week,” Bacani said, adding that Dela Cruz registered the most miles with more than 100.

Mile High Club runners pose for a photo after “reaching” Rota and finishing the Run The Marianas race. (Contributed Photo)

Gersonde chipped in 44 miles and recorded most of them in Marpi, as she loves running on hills. She echoed Bacani’s thoughts on having more teammates challenging and inspiring you to put in the miles even though they ran on different locations and time.

One team, one goal
10th Graders SIS has 19 members and though its top runners were expected to log a lot of miles, still making it to the finish line was a team effort.

“This race helped us work together and become closer as a class,” 10th Graders SIS captain Tiana Cabrera said.

Jack Linden, one of the 22 runners of Freshman ‘24, said it was fun running with his friends and classmates and supporting each other as they moved closer to the “finish line,” especially at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It has been difficult in the last nine months to be outside and do anything. It’s great to finally be able to do something related to sports and interesting to see how we really came together, plan, and safety finish the race,” Linden said.

As for English Academy, the Run The Marianas allowed their off-island members to connect with those who are able to stay on Saipan.

Saipan International School students, seen here competing in last Saturday’s 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series at the CPA Airport Field, logged the required miles to complete the Run The Marianas. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

“Almost half of the team (English Academy had nine members) has been unable to return to Saipan because of visa restrictions. This has been a great way of bringing the class together and including them (off-island). Also, some of the students have discovered they like running and are picking up a new, healthy hobby,” said English Academy teacher Cary Bertoncini.

English Academy, Mile High Club, Freshmen ’24, and 10th Graders SIS are among the 43 teams that joined the Run The Marianas. Adding the 13 individual participants, the virtual event has drawn 35 runners, including members of newcomer Saipan Homeschool Co-Op. Runners are from Saipan, Rota, Guam, Hawaii, the U.S. mainland, Macau, Czech Republic, Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand.

“I have been overwhelmed with the response to the event. The 9th and 10th graders at SIS through themselves into it wholeheartedly and really raked in the miles. They are in the school category and the number of members is greater. Mile High Club completed the event with only 10 runners and have been extremely supportive of the event in our Facebook Group,” race director Ron Snyder said.

Medals are awarded to the Run The Marianas finishers, while certificates of completion are given to teams/individuals after every island stop completed.

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A Make Your Mark Archery Club member eyes her target during a practice session at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan’s archery range early this month. (Contributed Photo)

There’s a new sports group on island and keeps its doors open for new members.

The Make Your Mark Archery Club was established mid this year and the group so far has 20 members who are practicing regularly at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan.

Eileen No, the club co-president (Oliver Lee is the other head), said their current members are divided into two teams and each group has their own schedule of training at the PIC Saipan’s archery range to comply with the government and the hotel’s safety measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. Team 1 meets and practices every Friday from 3:30pm to 5pm, while Team 2 hold its session every Thursday from 3pm to 4:30pm.

“We usually have our individual archery range to practice shooting arrows and we are working on recording our points to see if we are making any progress or not. We also have a walk-in archery practice session during the weekends, anytime between 2pm and 6pm,” the Saipan International School 12th grader said.

A Make Your Mark Archery Club member loads arrow to the bow during a practice session at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan’s archery range early this month. (Contributed Photo)

The archery club’s members are mostly students. The group has been receiving membership inquiries from college, middle school, and high school students, but also welcomes adults interested in trying out the sport and joining the fledging club. Once membership grows, Make Your Mark plans to hold competitions.

“We have two teams and more students from middle school and high school are willing to join so we are looking at holding a competition in the future. It may not be an official competition (maybe a small competition amongst ourselves) or if we happen to improve a lot, we may hold an official competition with a set time and date for our community to also join/watch us,” No said.

No added that PIC staff members are assisting them in their training sessions and the hotel is also providing equipment for practices to new members for a measly fee of $5.

For individuals interested in joining Make Your Mark Archery Club, they may reach out to the group through https://www.instagram.com/make_your_mark_archery_club.

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Young riders wait for the start of the race at the Kan Pacific grounds, which will continue to host Marianas Racing Association events until the Marianas Motocross Park is built in in CowTown. (Joseph Chin)

The Marianas Racing Association is moving forward with its project to build the Marianas Motocross Park at its former home in CowTown, Marpi.

MRA president Steve Sablan said the group’s members and their parents went to the former CowTown Raceway Park last Saturday and started clearing the area of grass and debris. He added that they also began the process of securing permits with the CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality last week through the leadership of veteran rider Henry Camacho.

“MRA board member Henry Camacho has been working with many agencies to get the applications and signatures needed to get the authorization to proceed with the minor clearing of low-lying vegetation at the former track,” the MRA president said.

A tractor land clearing equipment works on the field of the former CowTown Raceway. (Eleanor Cepeda)

The MRA is taking the necessary steps to build a permanent raceway after the CNMI government, through the Department of Public Lands and Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, signed over the Marpi property to the revived motocross group early this month.

More clearing work will be done in the coming months to have the facility ready, as MRA waits for the issuance of the permits to start the rebuilding of the course.

“We will continue to clean the course and other facilities and assess what other work needs to be done. We will also continue to coordinate with the many private and public entities that have contacted us and pledged to assist us in any way possible,” Sablan said.

MRA is working with the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers, Department of Public Works, Department of Public Safety, and DCCA to build the Marianas Motocross Park.

Riders will continue to race at the Kan Pacific grounds as Marianas Racing Association is still working on securing permits for building the Marianas Motocross Park in CowTown. (Joseph Chin)

“We’ve been receiving outstanding and heartfelt assistance from volunteers, our members, and the private and public sectors,” Sablan said.

MRA board member Eleanor Cepeda and her family joined the group that performed clearing work at CowTown last weekend. She said everyone has stepped up and are putting in the time and effort to start the course rebuilding process, as they look forward to returning to their “home” soon.

While waiting for the construction of its permanent racetrack, MRA will continue to hold weekly events at the Kan Pacific grounds. Races take place in the afternoon and feature not only MX and dirt bikes, but also ATVs (all-terrain vehicle). There is also a separate course for kids/young riders with MRA season bikers available to teach newcomers about the basic of the sport and safety rules on the track.

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In this file photo, John “Nani” Cruz, standing fourth left, poses with his fellow Saipan Golfer Association players during the 2017 SGA Ace of Aces tournament at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort. (Contributed Photo)

John “Nani” Cruz shot a net 76 at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort earlier this month to clinch the Saipan Golfers Association’s September Ace.

The 17-handicapper recorded a 40 on the front nine and a 43 on the back for a gross 66 on the west course of the Kagman facility and a five-shot win in the Nov. 8 competition. Jung Eun Teack and Rick Kautz joined Cruz in the Top 3 as the former delivered a net 71 and the latter recorded a net 72. The 14-handicapper Teack duplicated Cruz’s score in the first nine holes and tallied a 45 in the last nine for a gross 85. Kautz, a 10-handocapper, struggled on the front nine with his 43, but made up for the slow start with his 39 on the back for a gross 82.

Kautz also hit one of the two longest drives (on the par-5, 478-yard hole No. 18) in the tournament, while Das Krishnan achieved the same feat in No. 2—another par-5 hole, but longer at 510 yards.

In the closest to the pin contest, Krishnan made it to the winners’ list, too, with his PK on the par-3, 189-yard No. 3. Joe Sablan, Manny Alvarez, and Larry Deleon Guerrero were the others players who made closest to the pin shots on par-3 holes. Sablan did it on the 160-yard No. 7, Alvarez on the 158-yard No. 13, and Deleon Guerrero on the 180-yard No. 17.

Meanwhile, with Cruz getting the September Ace he also gained entry to the SGA Ace of Aces (club championship), joining early qualifiers Attorney General Edward Manibusan (January Ace), Teack (February), Nick Sablan (March), Juan “Pan” Guerrero (April), Krishnan (May), Larry Deleon Guerrero (June), Steve Balakrishna (July), and Edward Sablan (August).

Only three more slots are at stake for SGA’s season-ending competition and one will be up for grabs this Sunday when the group holds the November Ace tournament on the east course of Laolay Bay Golf & Resort. The November Ace event will also double as SGA’s Turkey Shootout.

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Agape Christian School runners head out to the course during the opening leg of the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series held early this month at the CPA Airport Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

It seems like Agape Christian School and Brilliant Star School runners are favored to battle for the top individual honors in the co-ed elementary division of the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series judging from the results of the first two qualifiers.

Agape’s Jessie Campbell ruled Heat 2 of the second qualifier for the U11 age group after clocking in at 8:15 in the 1.1-mile race held last Friday at the CPA Airport Field. His time was five seconds faster that his record in the opening leg, which he also won.

On Heat 1, Brilliant Star’s Akeen Edvalson checked in at 8:01 to top the group that had 23 runners. Edvalson’s victory made it two in a row for Brilliant Star, as Moshe Sikkel prevailed in the first qualifier last Nov. 6 with the fastest time (7:56) so far this season. Sikkel did not race in the second leg, as Brilliant Star brought a new set of runners for last weekend’s event.

Middle school runners go for the first lap of the 2.1-mile course during the second leg of the cross country series. (Contributed Photo)

In other results, coming in at second place on Heat 2 was Saipan Community School’s Emma Sablan. Saipan International School’s Landon Pudney, Suki Peng, and Aubrey White completed the Top 5, making the Geckos a threat to Agape and Brilliant Star’s bids for top team honors in next month’s championship round.

The final race in the U11 division will be held on Dec. 4 with the team award to be decided based on the combined performance (accumulated points with the squad getting the lowest scoring winning the category) of the Top 4 finishers of each school.

Agape had two other runners placing in the Top 5 of Heat 2 in the second qualifier with Benjamin Cai ranked third behind Mt. Carmel School’s Stephen Yeom and Daniel Huang finishing fifth. Isla Montessori School’s Oliver Pauling came in at fourth on Heat 2, which had 12 other U11 runners completing the one-lap race.

Mt. Carmel School runners keep a steady pace as they navigate the first half of the 1.1-mile course during the elementary school division race. (Contributed Photo)

Meanwhile, the third and last qualifying race in the elementary division will be held this Friday afternoon. Both Sikkel and Edvalson will be racing for Brilliant Star on Heat 1 and they will battle new set of runners from SIS and returnees from Saipan Community School and William S. Reyes Elementary School.

On Heat 2, Campbell will again anchor Agape’s complete co-ed team (six runners plus one alternate and the Torchbearers will be up against the representatives of Mt. Carmel, Isla Montessori and Kagman Elementary School.

The final qualifying races in the middle school and high school will also take place this weekend with the U14 and U18 students running at the CPA Airport Field tomorrow morning.

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Brilliant Star School’s Moshe Sikkel nears the finish line in the elementary division race during the opening leg of the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series held early this month at the CPA Airport Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Brilliant Star School’s Moshe Sikkel and Agape Christian School’s Jessie Campbell picked up where they left off after prevailing in their respective races in the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series last Saturday at the CPA Airport Field.

Sikkel, who ruled the opening leg of the co-ed U11 division, returned for the third and last qualifier and was unstoppable anew as he easily won Heat 1 of the elementary race. Sikkel completed the 1.1-mile run in 7:25, finishing ahead of fellow BSS student and second leg winner Akeem Edvalson (8:22) and Saipan International School’s Eliza Culp (8:29).

On Heat 2, Campbell made in three in a row after checking in at 8:17 and leading Agape’s Top 3 finish. Joey Xia (9:38) and Benjami Cai (9:39) joined Campbell in the podium in the third qualifier, while Isla Montessori School’s Oliver Pauling (9:48) and Georgia Baetge (9:51) rounded out the Top 5 in Heat 2.

Agape’s Daniel Huang (9:59), Ratul Byuya (12:48), and Alice Duan (13:18); Kagman Elementary School’s Benaiah (10:03), Harley (14:30), Americus Murphy (11:29), Jacob Santos (11:50), Kamwatie (15:00) and Teeta (15:31) Welch; Isla Montessori’s Katie Manglona (12:38), Jackson Kosing (12:39), Philip Seman (12:44), and Cooper Fong (12:49); and Mt. Carmel School’s Gabriel Hernandez (15:00) were the other finishers on Heat 2.

On Heat 1, Saipan Community School’s Jose Sablan (8:40) came in at fourth and were joined by his teammates Allie Brussel (9:17), Micaela Tenorio (11:07), Dennis Guo (14:18), and Paul James Mendoza (15:03) to the finish line.

Completing Heat 1’s finishers list were SIS’ Windsor (8:49) and Beatrice (10:28) Gross, Jake Duenas (10:36), Lucy Woo (10:54), and Yummy Peng (11:42); Brilliant Star’s Aiden (10:18) and Damien (10:35) Camacho, and LoVel Spaeth (11:21); and William S. Reyes Elementary School’s Jiro Quindoza (11:45), Marq Hernandez (11:48), Kristen Sierra (11:49), and Mateo Almada (16:17).

With the qualifiers done, organizers NMA and PSS will move ahead with the championship race for the elementary division on Dec. 4.

In the finale, schools are allowed a maximum of six runners (must have at least two boys and two girls on the team), but only the Top 4 finishers from each squad will get points that will be used to determine the team champion. Deadline for submission of rosters for the co-ed U11 division is on Nov. 25.

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Many-time national tennis team coach Jeff Race talks to Pacific Games Council chief executive officer Andrew Minogue virtually during the Northern Marianas Sports Association General Assembly at the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan last Thursday. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Northern Marianas Sports Association has officially requested the inclusion of tennis and weightlifting on the calendar of events for the 2022 Pacific Mini Games.

The appeal was made during the NMSA General Assembly last Thursday at the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan through Pacific Games Council chief executive officer Andrew Minogue, who attended the meeting virtually.

In response, Minogue said NMSA’s request will be discussed at the PGC’s meeting on Dec. 7.

The 2022 Pacific Mini Games, which Saipan will be hosting, originally lined up 12 sports in its program in 2019 before the number was trimmed down to six due to budgetary constraints, as the CNMI back then was still recovering from Super Typhoon Yutu.

The six sports approved for the Mini Games are athletics, badminton, beach volleyball, golf, triathlon, baseball.

“It will be good to make the Mini Games bigger by adding two more sports. We will discuss the request and make a quick decision as soon possible so athletes and officials can start preparing,” said Minogue.

The NMSA membership has strongly pushed for the addition of the two sports that have delivered for the CNMI in the past off-island competitions. Tennis handed the Commonwealth three gold medals (men’s singles, team event, and mixed doubles) and silver (men’s doubles) in the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa. Weightlifting, on the other hand, brought hope 15 medals (six gold medals, seven silvers, and three bronzes) from the 2018 Micronesian Games in Yap.

Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Association president and many-time CNMI national coach Jeff Race, at this early, assured that the players that gave the Commonwealth medals in the Pacific Games last year will be committed to don the colors of the host country if their sport is added to the 2022 Mini Games program.

The quadrennial competition, which was supposed due to take next year, but was moved due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be held from June 17 to 25, less than a month before the 2022 Micronesian Games kick off in the Marshall Islands.

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Javin Okawa strikes a pose during the awards ceremony for the 2020 Dee Clayton Classic Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship last Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Saipan Ballroom. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Kagman resident Javin Okawa regained his top form in time to win in the 2020 Dee Clayton Classic Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship held last Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Saipan Ballroom.

Okawa took the overall first place honors in the men’s physique category, won the short class in the same division, and was also adjudged as best in abs in his second appearance in the annual competition.

“After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I lost some muscles, so I kind of started all over again. I did a lot of catching up and pushed myself harder in the last five months to get into shape again,” said Okawa, who trains at Gold’s Gym and Latte Built.

Leonardo Sanchez poses for the judges. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Okawa was ranked second in the short class category when he debuted in the Dee Clayton Classic and in his return to the tournament, he defeated Leonardo Sanchez, Francis Enriquez, Jiao Chun Ye, and Jun Lagmay for the overall men’s physique.

Sanchez is another returnee to the competition and this year prevailed in the men’s classic physique.

Like Okawa, Sanchez also faced challenges preparing for the Dee Clayton Classic because of the pandemic.

“With the gyms closed in the first few months after the pandemic hit, I had to train on my own at home—sort of DIY on my diet meals, workout, and everything,” said Sanchez, who joined the tournament for the fourth time and got his second victory. He won in the teen category a few years ago and was third in the short class in 2019.

ROSELYN B. MONROYO
Organizer Dee Clayton, fifth left, joins participants in the 2020 Dee Clayton Classic Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship for a group photo last Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Saipan Ballroom. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Meanwhile, other top winners in this year’s Dee Clayton Classic were Lagmay, Ye, and Christina Tudela.

Tudela ruled the bikini class, defeating Jamila Alegre.

Tudela said it took her four months to prepare for her debut in the annual tournament and since she can’t train when facilities closed at the onset of the pandemic, she had to set up a “home gym.”

Christina Tudela strikes a pose for the judges. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

“I had high body fat percentage so I trained almost two hours per session and work out from Monday through Saturday,” the San Vicente resident said.

Meanwhile, Ye and Lagmay won in the tall class men’s physique and bodybuilding, respectively. Lagmay, a veteran in the bodybuilding contest, also took the best poser award.

This year’s Dee Clay Classic saw a significant drop in the number of participants—from a record 28 in 2019 to seven, but organizer and founder Dee Clayton understood the decrease in the turnout because of the pandemic.

Jun Lagmay flexes his muscles. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

“It’s important that we’re able to hold something for our athletes, who have been training for a long time stay active and keep their form amid this pandemic. We have to move on and do something while still following safety measures against COVID-19,” Clayton said.

She also thanked the following companies for supporting last Saturday’s event: Megabyte Computer, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Latte Built 24/7 Fitness and Nutrition Gym, Michelob ULTRA, Gold’s Gym, Island Floral, and Topnotch.

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Saipan triathletes pose for a group photo before racing in the Guam National Virtual Triathlon/Duathlon last Saturday. (Jonathan Ibajan)

Saipan’s sports community continues to join the trend in competition at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, as 13 completed the Guam National Virtual Triathlon/Duathlon.

Thirteen-year-old Isaiah Aleksenko was the youngest finisher among Saipan participants in the Guam Triathlon Federation-organized event and timed in at 4:54:00 in the 1,500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike, and 10K run. The Swimming Center Tsunami Saipan member had split times of 15:00 in the swim leg, 3:34:00 in the bike, and 1:04:00 in the run.

Janet King heads out of the water at Guma Sakman in Susupe. (Jonathan Ibajan)

Aleksenko, her mom Yulia, Brad and Kathy Ruszala, Robyn Spaeth, Ricky Castro, Nap Dizon, Manny Sitchon, Marshall Hoskins, Lydia Tan (duathlon), Ambet Omampo (duathlon), Eric Abragan, and Janet King were the other Saipan finishers in the virtual meet, as they completed the course last Saturday.

The group had the swim leg from the Guma Sakman in Susupe to the waters off Oleai Beach Bar and back. For the bike course, from Guma Sakman, the riders headed to Pacific Islands Club and proceeded to the former Marianas Resort & Spa before going back to Susupe for the bike-run transition. In the run leg, the Saipan bets cruised along Beach Road for the turnaround at the Marianas Medical Center near the Garapan Fishing Base before heading back to the start/finish line at Guma Sakman.

Isaiah Aleksenko is first out of the water during last Saturday’s Guam National Virtual Triathlon/Duathlon.(Jonathan Ibajan)

The 13 Saipan participants were among the 67 finishers in the first week of the virtual competition. King completed the race in 4:53:00 (with split times of 1:18:00/2:13:00/1:21:00); while Castro and Sitchon submitted 6:26:00 and 6:20:00, respectively, and Omampo 9:12:00 in the duathlon (5K run, 40K bike, and 10K run). Times of the other Saipan finishers have yet to be posted online.

Ambet Omampo gets ready to head south for the 40K bike leg of the duathlon. (Jonathan Ibajan)

Saipan Duathlon Dec. 19
Meanwhile, the Triathlon Association of the CNMI has opened the registration for the 5th Saipan Duathlon.

The course will feature a 5K run, 20K bike, and 2. 5K run with the race to be held at the Banzai Cliff in Marpi. Interested participants an enter in the individual or team (men’s, women’s, and mixed) events and both road and mountain bikes can be used in the race.

Manny Sitchon, left, and Nap Dizon run back to Guma Sakman to complete the 10K run of the triathlon event. (Jonathan Ibajan)

Registration fee is $20 for individual and $40 for team. To sign up online, visit https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=225341. Registration deadline is Dec. 17.

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The Olympic-sized swimming pool in Marpi is still filled with murky water as the facility remains closed. (Neil Fama)

The Northern Mariana Islands Swimming Federation has identified options that could pave the way for the reopening of the Olympic-sized pool in Marpi.

On top of the list is the utilization of the $300,000 grant made available by the Federación Internacional de Natación Amateur (FINA)—the sport’s world governing body where the NMISF is a member.

However, there are conditions attached to the grant, as reported by Northern Marianas Sports Association executive director Carline Sablan during the NMSA’s meeting last Thursday at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. Sablan, in citing information provided by NMISF, said the financial assistance from FINA will be available only if “there is conveyance of the property for at least 10 years to a government agency like the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and for NMSA or the swimming federation to operate and maintain the pool.”

The Kan Pacific Saipan Ltd. used to operate the 50-meter pool for nearly 40 years before the facility closed in October 2018 as the company’s lease agreement with the Department of Public Lands for the Marpi property, including the Mariana Resort & Spa, expired.

The DPL has since opened the bid for a new lease agreement on the property and received six applicants/investors when deadline for submission of bids expired last Oct. 16.

NMSA and NMISF will make a follow-up with DPL on the received bids, as having an investor to operate the pool is another option for reopening the facility.

The investor will have the pool accessible to the public as a public benefit contribution, just like what Kan Pacific did or the company can match the $300K that FINA is offering to improve the pool according to international standards.

NMISF added there is also the option for the pool property to be parceled out and allot $150,000 for the temporary fix of the facility to make it accessible to swimmers until another pool is built. There is a proposal to build a swimming pool facility at the Oleai Sports Complex through the $20-million Economic Development Administration grant.

When considering either the parceled out or matching fund option, still the property should be conveyed to a government agency and either NMSA or NMISF must be in charge of the operation of the facility.

NMSA said they and NMISF will continue coordinating with DPL to find ways to reopen the Marpi pool, which was last cleaned of debris and stagnant water in February and is now filled with murky water anew, while bushes are beginning to grow around the facility.

With the pool closed for a little over two years, CNMI swimmers, who consistently delivered medals for the Commonwealth in various regional competitions, are left with no choice but to train in private/small pools and open water.

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