MOC sweeps sprint races

Marianas Outrigger Club paddlers make their way back to the shore after finishing first in the 2,500m race during last Saturday’s Northern Marianas National Paddling Sports Federation Sprint Season at the Kilili Beach. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Marianas Outrigger Club ruled the Northern Marianas National Paddling Sports Federation Sprint Season, capping the series of races with two more first place finishes last Saturday at the Kilili Beach.

In the 500m event, MOC timed in at 2:18.72, way ahead of Saipan Paddling Club and Napu Outrigger Canoe Club, which submitted 2:28.42 and 2:26.87, respectively. MOC was awarded 25 points for its victory last weekend, bringing its total to 95 to reign supreme in the sprint event. Three initial races were held this season with MOC topping two of them and placing second in the other one.

SPC got the second most points with 81 after earning 18 in the finale, while Napu upped its total to 76 for receiving 20 in the last Saturday’s race.

In the 2,500 event, MOC broke the 14-minute barrier as it completed the race in 13:54.83. The club also took 25 points for topping the competition and ended up with 100 points after sweeping the four races this season. Maverick Itibus, Thomas Deleon Guerrero, Rich Salas, Billy Grow, Angel San Nicolas, Ketson “Jack” Kabiriel, Jose Quan, and Bobby Cruz suited up for MOC in last weekend’s finale.

Coming in at second overall behind MOC was SPC, which wrapped up the series with 78 points, beating Napu in a close fight, as the latter tallied 74 markers. SPC finished second in last Saturday’s 2,500m event after recording 14:16.77, while Napu was ranked third with its 14:32.83.

Meanwhile, Napu and SPC split the top honors in the 1,500m event.

Napu 1 prevailed in the junior girls as it collected 100 points for sweeping all for legs. Napu’s youth female paddlers completed their domination this season after timing in at 9:22.53 in last Saturday’s 1,500m race. SPC settled for the runner-up place with its 80 points, getting 20 for its No. 2 finish (9:44.54) in the finale. Only SPC and Napu raced in last weekend’s event, leaving Hoe Lokahi (36 points) and the combined Napu and Mt. Carmel School paddlers (15) at third and fourth place, respectively.

In the junior boys, it was SPC’s turn to get the perfect score of 100 points and convincingly win over Napu Boys I/MCS (63), and Knights and Napu (38). SPC clocked in at 8:33.51 in last Saturday’s 1,500m, while Napu registered 8:39.03.

In the 500m event, SPC also topped the junior boys after gaining 95 points following its first place finish last Saturday. SPC completed the sprint in 2:30.82, more than two seconds ahead of Napu Boys/Knights (2:33.16), which totaled 83 points after notching 20 in the finale. Knights and Napu did not compete last Saturday to remain at third place with their 38 points.

In the junior girls, Napu 1 also had 95 points to defeat SPC (83), Hoe Lokahi (38) and Napu and Knights (30). Napu got the first place finish in last Saturday’s 500m event after posting 2:44.63 against SPC’s 2:45.72.