Mantas fastest in long distance outrigger race

Saipan Southern High School’s girls long distance event team crosses first in the co-ed high school Public School System Interscholastic Outrigger Canoe Race 2022-2023 last Saturday from the course that started at the Kilili Beach to the turnaround point past the Garapan Fishing Base. (LEIGH GASES)

It was a test of mental and physical endurance as paddlers of Saipan’s three public high schools took on the long distance event of the co-ed high school Public School System Interscholastic Outrigger Canoe Race 2022-2023 on a blazing hot Saturday morning.

Traversing about 6 miles off the waters of Kilili Beach in Susupe to the turning point a little past the Garapan Fishing Base, both girls and boys teams of Saipan Southern High School boasted the fastest time against Marianas High School and Kagman High School.

Despite a slight confusion heading toward the finish line of the course, the Lady Mantas churned the water to first place with a time of 01:02:11.700, handing them 5 solid points for the day, while their boys team reached the finish flag under 1 hour at an impressive 54:16.460 for 5 points as well.

In the girls race, they each channeled their inner Mantas and Dolphins as they started it off strong, with the Ayuyus trailing a little behind. The Dolphins settled for second with a time of 01:03:22.230 while the Ayuyus came in last with 01:09:54.860.

Lady Mantas’ team captain Gracie Mendiola, who is a junior and the steerer for the team, said that “going to the turn[ing] point, it was really a fight between us and MHS. I kept calling for power…” Toward the end of the course, the team was confused as to where the finish line was as the spectators on shore were motioning directions, but they got it sorted out and still grabbed first place.

“All of us did really well. Between us and MHS, it was a really hard fight to win. We were in the lead about half a canoe’s length,” she said.

Mendiola admitted that they are not really the best in the sprint races, so she’s really happy that their team won the long distance event.

As to where they got the strength to push through and finish, she said “We’ve just been practicing together so it was all in the technique. Distance is all a mental game so you have to motivate your team and keep them inspired to make it.” 

She then said, “I have the best coach, Mr. Joseph Weaver and also Mr. Justin Andrew—they’re the best coaches on the island. Thank you.”

In the boys race, the Ayuyus paddled to second with a time of 57:06.010, while the Dolphins came in last with a time of 58:03.00.

The Lady Dolphins lead the overall girls division with 21 points, with the Lady Mantas not far behind at 19 points, while the Lady Ayuyus have 5 points.

Meanwhile, the Manta Rays lead the boys division overall with a perfect 25 points, way ahead of the Dolphins 13 points, and the Ayuyus 7.

Northern Marianas National Paddle Sports Federation president Justin Andrew said, “this course was longer than previous courses. Previous courses turned at about the 13 Fishermen Monument. This year, we decided to make the course longer. The kids had plenty of time to train and we knew that they could safely do it.”

For this race day, there were no mixed relay events. Next Saturday, Feb. 25, will be the continuation of the girls, boys, and mixed 500m and 1,000m events.