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Akimaru, Chentsova fastest ‘Escapees’
The Top 5 finishers of last Saturday?s Escape from Managaha, from left, Victoria Chentsova, Kento Akimaru, David Boyer, Taiga Sato, and Christian Villacrusis pose for a group photo after completing the crossing. (Contributed Photo)
Saipan Swim Club’s Kento Akimaru and Victoria Chentsova topped the men’s and women’s divisions of last Saturday’s Escape from Managaha.
The 13-year-old Akimaru finished the 2.4-kilometer crossing from Saipan’s famous island to Micro Beach in 36:50, while the 16-year-old Chentsova submitted 37:11. Both times were faster than their 2013 winning marks of 38:09.10 (Akimaru) and 38:09.31 (Chentsova). The two members of SSC’s senior group ruled Escape from Managaha for the last four years.
Two other SSC senior members and one junior completed the Top 5. Junior swimmer Taiga Sato came in at third place with his 42:38, while seniors Christian Villacrusis and David Boyer placed fourth and fifth, respectively, after logging 42:39 and 43:14.
Thirty-five others completed the crossing with 11 of them doing the Escape from Managaha for the first time. Among the 11 first-timers, Britta Baechler was the fastest after clocking in 51:58. Two others finished their debut race under one hour with Eran Sheriff posting 53:00 and Kathy Ruszala timing in at 54:35. Other first time finishers were Atsuko Sato (1:01:07), Bruce Lorange (1:03:08), Tomomi Sato (1:07:12), Yurie Lorange (1:07:23), Athena Andrews (1:09:49), Avra Heller (1:11:50), Zach Frey (1:12:11), and Rommel Tiosejo (1:12:16).
Meanwhile, six other SSC swimmers barged into the Top 10. Lennosuki Suzuki, a junior member of the club, placed sixth with his 48:58, behind World Resort lifeguard Dhurba Learlei (45:35). Another SSC junior Rinto Takahashi was ranked eighth after timing in at 49:09, and was followed by Jinnosuke Suzuki (49:10), Jinju Thompson (51:37) and Taiyo Akimaru and R.J. Pierce, who logged similar times of 51:40.
Completing the finishers list were Richard Villagomez (53:24), Tammy Winkfield (53:39), Kaoru Takahashi (54:40), Eric Cooke (55:27), Brad Ruszala (55:27), Jacoby Winkfield (56:40), Paul Plunkett (58:08), Caleb Leung (1:02:22), Roy Adsit (1:02:25), Princess Garcia (1:04:39), Jerryson Mani (1:04:51), Albert Deleon Guerrero (1:04:51), Carol-Lynn Pierce (1:07:13), Steven Johnson (1:09:08), Jinie Thompson (1:11:09), Colin Thompson (1:11:39), and Steven Boyer (1:14:31).
SSC would like to thank World Resort lifeguards and kayakers Jun Lee, Ann Jordan, Derek Chambers, and Ron Wright for ensuring the safety of the participants.
