Faichuuk dominates Chuukese youth event

Faichuuk stole the show in the 2nd Annual Chuukese Catholic Association’s youth retreat event held Saturday at the American Memorial Park.

Faichuuk won first place overall with 414 points after prevailing in majority of the run races of the weekend event. Southern Namoneas edged Northwest, 261-256, for second place, while Weno (191) and Mortlock (94) rounded out the fourth and fifth spots. About 200 people attended the event and they were split into five groups to represent the different islands of Chuuk region.

Faichuuk’s Corina Suda, Jesmy Jones, Neisha B, Jerick S, VK Antonius, Dennis Norita, Jun T, B.J. Bisek, Mortlock’s Riana and Northwest’s J.R. Gechig all won first place in the Sarafo 60-meter dash. The Sarafo class included runners in the 15 to 23 age group.

Northwest’s Tia Martin, Denang Esebu, and Jeslyn Jones, Weno’s Kimberly Mukawa and Raycolyn Kerimeng and Fauchuuk’s Arson Menchor, Nicholas B, Jemson Sacho, and Iverson Atan topped the U14 Semint or kids class.

Sarafo’s female 100-meter dash winners include Fouchuuk’s Corina Suda, Neysha B., Northwest’s Mary Akin, and Mortlock’s Julian Dionicio and Jobie Pangelinan. Suda went on to win the finals.

The boys division winners include Northwest’s Gechig, Weno’s Ansalom Suwain, Mortlock’s John Santi, and Faichuuk’s Jun Atenisom and BJ Bisek. Suwain won the championship heat.

The Semint female 100-meter dash winners include Northwest’s Tanang Sebuu and Jeslyn Jones, Faichuuk’s Isennith Sachuo and Macklyn Menchor, and Weno’s Oreza Pagaduan.

The boys Semint 100-meter winners were made up of Faichuuk’s Emchok Menchor, Nioklai Babin, Tyson Sachuo and Iverson Atan, Northwest’s Reygee Bolus, and Weno’s James Michael.

Faichuuk also swept the Sarafo and Semint mixed relay events. Sarafo’s Weno finished runner-up, while Southern settled for third place. Semint’s Northwest came in second place ahead of Weno in the rain.

Besides the running events, participants in the whole-day affair also joined the egg and water balloon toss competitions. The people of Chuuk are naturally taken to track and field events. A number of Chuukese athletes have represented the CNMI in running events over the years and these include Ketson “Jack” Karibiel, Tony Ichuo, and Theodore Naka,

The weekend event aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle in a family oriented environment in an effort to bring all Saipan residents from the different regions of Chuuk closer together.

“This event is a great way to bring Chuukese people closer together and it helps keep our kids out of trouble. We held a feast and showcased various running events and side games throughout the event and just had a lot of fun,” said CCA vice president Inos Kenio.

The CCA is planning another island-wide event in February 2012. Organizers are hoping to use the Oleai Sports Complex as venue as an even greater turnout is expected next year.