Tracksters endure heat and rain

Around 1,000 student-athletes endured the rain and heat at the Oleai Sports Complex, completing the two days of competitions in the 2009 All Schools Track and Field Championships.

Late Friday afternoon, downpour greeted participants in the 3,000m, 400m, and 800m runs, high hump, and discus throw, but the organizing Northern Marianas Athletics and elementary, high school, and junior high schools students proceeded with the events with caution.

With the lanes at the track and field facility soaked in water, runners opted to race barefoot, while participants in throwing and jumping events sought refuge in their respective tents.

When competition resumed Saturday, majority of the student-athletes wore shoes, as they had a hard time coping with the scorching heat.

Despite the unpredictable and extreme weather conditions, the All Schools meet ended without a hitch and NMA awardded trophies to the Top 3 schools in five age groups in the boys and girls division.

Whispering Palms and Dandan Elementary School topped the girls’ and boys’ 8-and-under age group with the Terms collecting 66 points and the Tottots earning 60.

Saipan International School and Brilliant Star settled for second and third, respectively, in the girls’ U8. In the boys’ U8, Kagman Elementary School finished second, while SIS placed third.

Saipan Community School topped the girls’ U10 with its 48 points, followed by Whispering Palms (42), and SIS (38). In the boys’ U10, the Top 3 finishers were William S. Reyes Elementary School (86), Tanapag (52), and Whispering Palms (36).

SCS claimed its second championship trophy after ruling the girls’ U12. SCS scored 62 points against WSR’s 58 and Whispering Palms’ 50.

The boys’ U12 title went to WSR, which tallied 84 points, downing Dandan (56), and SIS (48).

Hopwood Junior High School and Marianas High School swept the 14-and-under and 18-and-under divisions, respectively.

Hopwood scored 180 points in the boys’ U14 to prevail over SIS (76) and Whispering Palms (24). In the girls’ U14, Hopwood collected 142 points to down ChaCha Junior High School (46), and Saipan Community School (24).

In the boys’ U18, the MHS Dolphins earned 158 points, topping Kagman High School (120) and Northern Marianas Academy (10). The Lady Dolphins had 128 points in the girls’ U18 to pull off an upset over Kagman (88). SIS finished third.