Sapong stands out in Pohnpei

Members of the CNMI women’s relay team, right, pose for a photo at the medal podium after winning third place in the 4x100m relay race behind Guam and host Pohnpei last Saturday in the 2016 Micronesian Athletics Championships. (Contributed Photo)

Zarinae Sapong was named the Outstanding Female Athlete in the 2016 Micronesian Athletics Championships held in Pohnpei last week.

The youngest daughter of Northern Marianas Athletics secretary general Robin Sapong and Penny Jones got the MAC officials and organizers’ nods after winning two gold medals, one silver, and two bronzes in the June 2 to 4 competition. She earned her first medal last Thursday—the same day she was supposed to attend the graduation ceremony of Marianas High School, but had to miss it to compete in the regional tournament—when she topped the 100m run with a time of 13.35 seconds.

The 18-year-old runner also won the 200m run (27.87 seconds), was runner-up in the 400m (1:08.80), and helped the CNMI finish third in the 4x100m and 4x400m relay races. She was awarded a trophy during the closing ceremony of the MAC last Saturday and shared the event’s top honors with Palau sprinter Rodman Teltull.

“I am proud of Zari’s accomplishments in Pohnpei. It was a testament to her devotion to the sport and her discipline,” said NMA official Elias Rangamar, one of the coaches who trained Sapong for the MAC.

“For two months, she trained early in the morning, starting at 5:30am before going to school,” Rangamar added. “She was very consistent and worked hard in our training sessions.”

As for the rest of the team, Rangamar said they did a great job and the CNMI’s seven gold, four silver, and three bronze-medal haul in Pohnpei gives the Commonwealth something positive to look forward to in the 2018 Micronesian Games.

“I am not surprise with the strong performance of our athletes in Pohnpei. Even the U18 athletes, I knew they will win some medals for us,” Rangamar said.

Jerald Castillo and Chloe Salvosa gave the CNMI two gold medals each, Nick Gross had one gold, while Bernadette Horey and Conatsu Kaga earned one and two silvers, respectively. Salvosa, Horey, Sapong, and Pinyarat Shankweiller teamed up in the Commonwealth’s bronze medal finishes in the 4x400m and 4x100m relays. Other members of the squad were Daniel Joab, Sylvan Rangamar, Beo Ngirchongor, and Leo Cristobal. Reylynn Sapong and Ron Olopai were the team’s officials.

“Our athletes’ performance in Pohnpei gave us a gauge and something to work with for the Micro Games. Our U18 athletes will be at their peak when the Micro Games comes, plus we also have a couple more young athletes in the junior high school who did not make the trip to Pohnpei due to other commitments and finances, but we will work with them once the track resurfacing is done,” Rangamar said.