Two shine in McDonald’s All Schools

First of five parts

Since early April, about 700 athletes began working towards qualifying for the McDonald’s All Schools Track and Field Championships, and after Saturday’s competition, many stood out from the pack, winning medals and giving their schools much to be proud of, but none stamped their mark on the meet better than Jeremy Winkfield and Jackie Wonenberg, who dominated their events and were selected by the Northern Mariana Islands Track and Field Federation as the Championships’ most outstanding male and female athletes.

Each time Winkfield took the field, he made his presence felt. The Marianas High School student first took the high jump stage in the boys’ 18-and-under division, and quickly broke into the record books after his third jump measured at 1.95 meters, setting a new CNMI National record.

Winkfield then took charge in the discus, and this time, broke the CNMI Junior record when his first attempt recorded a distance of 30.59 meters for his second gold medal of the day.

The multi-sport phenom continued to separate himself from the rest of the field, not only taking the gold in the shot put but also breaking another CNMI Junior record. Already locking the gold medal with throws of 10.94 and 11.68 meters in his first two attempts, Winkfield kept his focus and mustered his best throw of the day, measuring at 12.16 meters.

Still not satisfied, Winkfield stepped up to the challenge in the javelin and wasted no time, breaking another National record on his first attempt after the spear landed some 52.51 meters away.

“His performance was just incredible,” said NMITFF official Elias Rangamar. “He broke the records, and his numbers…those are going to be competitive ones even at a [South Pacific Games] level.”

For her part, the 13-year-old Wonenberg was a force on the rubber track, and like Winkfield, won gold medals on all four of her events, leaving her mark on the sprint events.

The Hopwood Junior High School representative proved to be the fastest sprinter in her 13-and-under age group, taking the popular 100m dash with a time of 14.24 seconds.

The Sadog Tasi resident also smoked the competition in the 200m sprint, completing the half-lap event in convincing fashion after crossing the finish line in 29.58 seconds, over a second faster than the next finisher.

Wonenberg solidified her dominance in the 400m, blowing away the competition from beginning to end. After getting off a good start, the HJHS student raced ahead of the pack, showed great form, and pushed strong to finish in a sterling 1:08.17, more than five seconds in front of the next finisher.

Wonenberg completed her golden day by anchoring the HJHS girls team in the 4X100m relay. She joined forces with Crysti Belanger, Klynne Serrano, and Maria Con-Ui to place first, clocking in at 1:02.36.

The Championships kicked off with a parade of teams, followed by a brief opening ceremony before the start of the competition.

“This event truly brings together many talented individuals throughout the Northern Mariana Islands,” said McDonald’s owner Joe Ayuyu. “The McDonald’s All Schools Track and Field program gives adult volunteers the opportunity to teach young people important lessons they will carry with them throughout their lives. Through participation in the track and field program, young people learn the rewards of hard work, team work, the responsibility of membership, respect for authority, and most importantly, how to win and lose with dignity.”

Also taking part in the event were Rep. Ray Tebuteb, local artist Alfred Saures, DCCA Secretary Juan L. Babauta, Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, Miss CNMI World Tracy Del Rosario, 2004 Liberation Queen Leiana Ogumoro and 2004 Liberation Princess Sarah Igisaiar, among the many others.
Two shine in McDonald’s All Schools