Apelo swiftest in 100m dash

Leo Apelo surprised everyone by registering the fastest time in the men’s 100m event of the first phase of the local Oceania Virtual Championships held last Nov. 29 at the Oleai track and field.

The 34-year-old officer of the Transportation Security Administration completed the race with a time of 12.18. He was followed by the 12.40 of Beouch Ngirchongor with Angel San Nicolas completing the Top 3 in 13.31.

Josh Joson topped the boys 18U 100m after crossing the finish line in 12.98. Michael Rodgers was the other youth runner who took part in the event and came in at 13.19.

Leo Apelo, seen here in a file photo, topped the men’s 100m event of the Oceania Virtual Championships held last Nov. 29 at the Oleai track and field. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Apelo said winning the men’s 100m of the Nov. 29 event came as a total surprise.

“Felt great but I didn’t expect to do well. I’m actually trying out for the CNMI National Weightlifting Team. I just did a little training on my own to supplement my main sport. So mostly weightlifting and a little sprinting here and there,” he said.

Apelo added that it was the first time he took part in a virtual race and that the Nov. 29 meet was actually his first race in 2021.

“Honestly, that was the only race I’ve ran this year I haven’t done any virtual races so far. I dedicate the win to my awesome wife, Jillian, for being so patient with me. Oh yeah I forgot to mention Ed (Edward Dela Cruz Jr.) actually inspired me run,” he said.

In other results from the Nov. 29 meet, Sildrey Veloria and Simon Necesito were the only competitors in the 1,500m. Veloria, a 19-year-old Northern Marianas College student, tackled the men’s long course in 5:32.5. Necesito, a teacher from Dandan Middle School, finished in 9:22.3

Tiana Cabrera, a 16-year-old student from Saipan International School, was the lone competitor in the girls U18 and completed the 1,500m run in 6:15.2.

Results of the Dec. 20 local Oceania Virtual Championships will be published in next week’s issue of Saipan Tribune.

Last October, Oceania Athletics announced it will be conducting its regional championships online through the 2021 Oceania Athletics Virtual Championships.

“With the world, and especially the Pacific feeling the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic, it has meant that it is now, over two years, since we have been able to gather as an Oceania Athletics family in person,” said Oceania Athletics.

It said the 2021 Oceania Athletics Virtual Championships would allow athletes of all ages and abilities to compete, albeit virtually, for medals and to be crowned Oceania Virtual Champion.

The 2021 Oceania Athletics Virtual Championships is being held in partnership with Oceania Masters Athletics Association and will see champions crowned and medals awarded across multiple age groups, from under 14 to 80 years of age.