All Schools track meet runners honored

Shimizu

High school students Cody Shimizu and Kaitlyn Chavez’s performances at the Northern Marianas Athletics/PSS All Schools Track and Field Championships were recognized as they were named top athletes of the month.

Shimizu, of Marianas High School, was voted as Crowne Plaza/Northern Marianas Sports Association Male Student Athlete of the Month (for May) for winning gold medals in the 400m and 800m runs and silver in the 200m. Shimizu also joined the long jump event in the boys U18 age group and was part of the MHS 4x400m relay team that made it to the podium. With his outstanding show in the All Schools finale held last May 5 and 6, Shimizu was named top athlete in his division.

Chavez duplicated Shimizu’s feat when she took the top honors in the girls U18 division. The Saipan International School student collected gold medals in the 400m, 800m, and 1,500m races and powered the Geckos to gold medal wins in the relay events. For her multiple-gold performance, Chavez was named Crowne Plaza/NMSA Female Student Athlete of the Month.

Chavez

Schmidt stands out
Meanwhile, basketball’s Douglas Schmidt also made it to the May honor roll, as he was adjudged Male Athlete of the Month.

Schmidt suited up for the Martech-Ol’Aces and stood tall in the team’s 91-56 rout of Team Marianas in the finals of the Michelob Ultra Cup last May 30. He provided the Ol’Aces solid offense and defense, as despite getting a nasty cut near his left eyebrow during a scramble for the ball he soldiered on, playing with a bandage on his forehead and finishing the finale with a team-high 22 points. Schmidt also recorded 20-plus points (24) in their 97-92 semis win over New Chang Ming.

With their May honors, Schmidt, Shimizu, and Chavez are now qualified for the annual athlete of the year awards in their respective categories. Other early qualifiers are April student winners Dean Aldan (athletics) and Lina Tsukagoshi (badminton) and adults Janelle Pangilinan (badminton) and Joel Buco (cycling); March student winners Si Woo Lee (tennis) and Annie Gail Manuel (weightlifting) and adult winners Colin Ramsey (tennis) and Antonette Labausa (weightlifting); and February student winner Jaden Andrew and adult winners Leo Apelo and Tania Tan. (PR)