Previous Story
New record for returning Jenequa
|
Posted on Jun 25 2008
When Jenequa Benavente recently moved back to Saipan from Hawaii, athletics more so setting a new national record probably was the farthest thing from her mind.
But lo and behold, after a little over a month of training under Northern Marianas Athletics developmental coach Elias Rangamar, the 16-year-old Marianas High School student is now the proud owner of the CNMI discus throw record.
This happened last Monday when Benavente shattered the 31.69m mark held by Rangamar’s own wife, Dolores, which she set during her gold medal-run in the 2002 Pohnpei Micronesian Games.
The new standard is now 34.38m, which Benavente posted in her very first throw in the 2008 Oceania Grand Prix competition.
A beaming Benavente said she is quite happy about her achievement during an interview with the Saipan Tribune yesterday at the Cross Country venue in Kagman.
“I’m just thankful for all the coaching I’ve been getting. I actually just started training for the Oceania Championships only a little over a month ago, but I did some discus when I was studying in Hawaii,” said Benevante.
Dolores, for her part, said she is proud of Benevante’s achievement and added that she is happy that the future of CNMI athletics is in great hands.
Benavente is not done yet, as she hopes to add more records to her name when she competes in all field events—except the javelin—in the 2008 Oceania Championships, which full schedule kicks off today at the Oleai Track and Field.
