Yvonne delivers for CNMI

Yvonne Bennett traveled more than 5,000 miles from Boise, Idaho to Apia, Samoa for the 2011 Oceania Regional Championships and the long journey was worth it, as she delivered anew for the CNMI.

The Commonwealth sprinter made it to the finals of all three races she competed in, crushed records, and won one gold and two bronze medals.

“The Oceania competition was a lot of hard work and dedication, but it was very much worth it. I am happy with my performance, knowing that I gave my all in every race,” Bennett said in an email to Saipan Tribune.

The Boise State University track and field team member set new CNMI and Micronesian records in the 100m (12.52 seconds) and 200m (25.67 seconds) races and later won bronze medals in these sprint events.

Then in the 400m, she failed to eclipse her personal best and CNMI mark (57.14 seconds) after clocking in at 57.66 seconds. However, Bennett took the gold medal in the race she considered the most difficult among the three events she had in Samoa.

“I am still learning how to run that race,” said Bennett, who is best known in the CNMI and Micronesia as a sprinter before she began doing the longer 400m race when she suited up for BSU’s track team last season.

The 21-year-old athlete is a member of the Bronco’s 4x400m relay squad that shattered BSU’s 23-year-old record in that event. Bennett also represented BSU in the 400m race in the 2011 Western Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Hawaii where she set the new CNMI mark at 57.14 seconds.

“Overall, the competition in Samoa was very rewarding, as I was able to represent the CNMI again and win medals for the Commonwealth. I was also happy to be reunited with my teammates and coaches even for a short time,” Bennett said.

Joining Bennett in Samoa were Ryan Ichihara, Sylvan Rangamar, and Clayton Kenty and coaches Ron Olopai and Robin Sapong. The five CNMI delegates returned to Saipan last Sunday, while Bennett went back to the mainland.

“I am on mini vacation , visiting friends and will be back in Boise early July. For my next tournament, I plan on running at the world championships but it’s not confirmed yet. But as soon as I get back to Boise I will continue training over the summer and as school begins I will be going back to conditioning training to get ready for the next upcoming collegiate track and field season,” said Bennett, who thanked her families and coaches for making sure she still gets to compete in regional tournaments even though she is also busy in collegiate races.

“My coaches and family members were able to make things happen for me. I appreciate their support very much,” she added.