Tinian schools dominate boy’s cross-country

(Part 1 of 2)

On a breezy, overcast Saturday afternoon in Tinian, 85 long-distance runners gathered upon the campus of Tinian Elementary School to participate in the 2nd Annual Tinian Cross-Country meet, sponsored by the school’s Parent Teacher Association.

The weather conditions were perfect for running, as boys and girls under the age of 18 from Saiapan and Tinian competed in hopes of winning medals and ribbons in front of their friends and family last Saturday, Oct. 23 at the Northern Marianas Islands Track and Field Federation-officiated and TES Physical Education committee coordinated event.

Cheered on by a crowd of parents and teachers, the children were separated into seven age groups, beginning with the 7-and-under, 9-and-under, 11-and-under, 13-and-under, 15-and-under, 17-and-under, and the 18-and-over. What set the cross-country meet apart from standard events is that the parents of the competitors were allowed to walk and run alongside their children.

In the 7-and-under group, the 6-year-old Peter John Anore of Tinian Elementary School was the first to run the mile and a quarter around the campus, finishing with a time of 7:24. Anore. Also from TES, eight-year old Venny Untalam was not far behind at 8:05, followed by 6-year-old Frank Dela Cruz at 8:45.

TES took the top three spots in the boy’s 9-and-under as well, as Lucio Sanchez (7:57), Lorenzo San Nicolas (7:50), and JC Dela Cruz (7:57) finished one-two-three.

TES also ruled the boy’s 11-and-under division, as 11-year-old Dillion San Nicolas streaked across the finish line in 6:47. Eleven-year-old Francisco Dela Cruz ran hard to finish in 7:14, just ten seconds ahead of Mark Mapeso (7:24).

The bar was raised for the participants above the age of 11, as their race consisted of three laps around the campus fo0r a total of 2.6 miles.

While TES had all of the glory in the 7-11 races, it was Tinian Junior High School that reigned supreme in the 13-and-under, as 13-year-old Angelo Cruz (11:30), 13-year-old Elgene Shai (11:39), and 12-year-old Donnia Dosalua (12:00) were the fastest three-lappers in the race.

TJHS was at it again in the boy’s 15-and-under race,14-year-old speedster Craig Borja cruised to an easy victory when he crossed the finish line in a mere 10:50 ahead of 13-year-old Aaron Evangelista (12:32) and 15-year-old Peter Ayuyu (14:11).

Things changed on the leader board when 17-year-old Jeremy Winkfield of Marianas High School came to town from Saipan. Winkfield started his own typhoon as he zipped around the campus in 10:14 to edge 16-year-old Mark Julive Leo of Tinian High School (10:44) and Carlos Feger of MHS (11:25)

Medals were awarded to the top three finishers of each event and ribbons were awarded to the remaining through seventh place.

As a reminder, NMITFF will hold a coaches clinic on Dec. 4, 9am-12pm, at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium conference room for all school representative and coaches. The clinic will deal with the basic fundamentals of track and field.