Agape runners keep great stride amidst pandemic

Agape Christian School coach Kok Pang, front row left, joins his middle school runners in accepting the perpetual trophy presented by Northern Marianas Athletics, Public School System, and Northern Marianas Sports Association officials during the awards ceremony for the 2020-2021 PSS/NMA All Schools Cross Country Series last Friday at the Saipan Vegas grounds. (Contributed Photo)

Agape Christian School went home with the most team championships when perpetual trophies were awarded to winners in the 2020-2021 Public School System/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series last Friday at the Saipan Vegas grounds.

Agape took the boys and girls middle school perpetual trophies plus the same hardware in the girls high school division.

The Torchbearers swept the middle school races (boys and girls U14) after scoring 18 and 17 points (teams with the least scores won the division) to successfully defend their titles. Agape, behind second finisher Barbara Wang, defeated Saipan International School (20 points) in the girls race, while its boys crew led by top finisher Peter Peng also won over SIS (23) and Saipan Community School (41 points).

In the high school division (girls U18), Agape had Emma Pang and Grace Shi making it to the Top 3 (behind champion Tiana Cabrera of SIS) to notch first place, way ahead of the Lady Geckos, 14-34.

Saipan International School runners receive their boys high school perpetual trophy during the awards ceremony for the 2020-2021 PSS/NMA All Schools Cross Country Series last Friday at the Saipan Vegas grounds. (Contributed Photo)

Agape coach pastor Kok Pang joined his runners in accepting the perpetual trophies last weekend and though he was thankful for the recognition, he valued more the impact of having a cross country season for students at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic

“Our students wanted to run, they wanted to go out and do something to relieve themselves of the mental and emotional stress this pandemic has caused them. They are very active in sports, especially in running and knowing that the cross country season may not take place really made them sad,” Pang said.

“Fortunately, the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force allowed NMA and PSS to go ahead with the cross country races. They let us run provided we follow the safety protocols and that’s very good for our students, our kids,” the Agape coach and school administrator added.

Pang is pleased that their students did well this season and attributed the team’s continued success in athletics events, such as in cross country, to their constant training.

Saipan International School students are awarded with the perpetual trophy for topping the co-ed elementary division races. (Contributed Photo)

“Most of our students live in our dormitory so that’s an advantage because we get to train together often,” Pang said.

Though the cross country school meet has been completed, Agape runners are still practicing as they will be competing in the Christmas Island Relay later this month.

“Our students have a lot of potential, but they need to continue training to stay in form and do well in competitions. I know this is a difficult time because of the pandemic, but it’s up to ask adults to find opportunities for our children/students so that they will stay healthy and active despite the challenging conditions we are in,” Pang said.

Meanwhile, SIS also won perpetual trophies last Friday, as the Geckos took the boys high school and co-ed elementary crowns.