MHS, Kagman triumph

Marianas High School and Kagman High School students pose for a photo after ruling the Public School System Interscholastic Outrigger Canoe Competition last Saturday at Kilili Beach. (Contributed Photo)

Marianas High School and Kagman High School ruled the Public School System Interscholastic Outrigger Canoe Competition last Saturday at Kilili Beach.

The Lady Dolphins were the overall winners in the girls division after collecting 76 points from the 500m, 1,000m, and long distance races. They defeated the Lady Ayuyus, who tallied 65 points, and were way ahead of Saipan Southern High School (17).

Tiana Aldan, Dominique Calvo, Daphne Cruzat, Melanie Dasco, Maylah Duenas, Jorean Guardian, Vinalei Hapdei, Julia Malata, Kaye Anne Obando, and Ashani Peredo paddled for MHS, which topped the first two preliminary 500m races to get 18 points and then had a first and second place finishes in last Saturday’s finale to gain 16 more markers and 34 total in the sprint. In the 1,000, the Lady Dolphins also dominated the prelims for a combined 15 points and received 12 for a runner-up finish in last weekend’s race. Then in the long distance, MHS tallied 5 points for claiming first place to lead Kagman by 11 at the conclusion of the tournament.

The Lady Ayuyus, who had Ann Sulap, Joan Welta, Trinity Cruz, Davin Kim, Ursalyn Camacho, Wallis and Talina Bai, Alisa Gathamgeg, and Kina Pua as members, were awarded 3 points in the long distance course, 30 in the 500m, and 32 in the 1,000m.

Saipan Southern was the last finisher in all events, as it settled for 8 points each in the 1,000m, and 500m races and had a measly one marker in the long distance. event. The Manta Rays were represented in the competition by Mua Ngemaes, Dominique Deleon Guerrero, Jasmine Calvo, Kody Reyes, Cheyanne Manuel, Kiana Magofna, Megan Hemley, Jerilynn Haruo, and Britney Espinosa.

Meanwhile, in the boys division, Kagman simply stood out, as the Ayuyus garnered 81 points, nearly doubling the output of MHS (49).

Kagman only lost in the first preliminary race in the 1,000m event and dominated the rest to collect 36 points in that distance, 40 in the three 500m races, and 5 in the long distance. Iverson and Kenneth Kaipat, Christian Achas, Elbert Pinaulo, Jericho Jones, Noah Mesa, Jacoby Cabrea, Tyrese Cruz, Harry Moses, Peter Santos, Donovan Babauta, Jimmy Marquez, and Koen Gabriel paddled Kagman to the overall championship.

MHS was a distant second, as it only earned 26 points in the 1,000m, 20 in the 500m race, and 3 in the long distance course, while Southern had a total of 23 points (12 in the 500m, 10 in the 1,000m, and one in long distance).

Northern Marianas Paddle Sports Federation assisted PSS in holding the canoe competition, while NMPSF official Valerie Hofschneider served as race director.