MHS clinches third straight title

Marianas High School’s boys and girls teams won their third consecutive titles after topping the 2011 Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross-Country Championship last Saturday at the American Memorial Park.

The Dolphins’ Charles Bautista crossed the tape first at the 21:33 mark, but was later disqualified as he apparently took a wrong turn on the age group’s 2.8-mile course. By default, first place was awarded to his teammate Beoch Ngirchongor, who turned in an official time of 22:33, while Michael Mancao (22:40) finished in second and Inbum Choo (23:33) rounded out the third spot. The U18 boys field was made up of 11 MHS runners and a pair from Saipan Southern High School.

MHS’ seven-runner girls squad made up the U18 division. Chris Obaldo clocked in well ahead of the pack with a first place time of 27:48, while her teammates Clarisse Cayabyan (32:11) and Kate Villocino (32:43) filled up the rest of the podium. Both MHS crews received team awards.

Hopwood Junior High School’s Kevin Jack De Leon Guerrero topped the nine-runner U14 boys field with his 16:56. Teammate Joshua Mendiola (17:44) finished second and Saipan Community School’s Kai Lee (18:06) settled for third place. Hopwood fielded seven runners in the race and also received a team trophy.

The Hilitais also took the U14 girls team award, as its party of five was the only team to complete the division. Mikayla Lopez crossed the line well ahead in first at 19:09, while Zarinae Sapong (27:16) outsprinted Rumina Litulumar (27:18) at the homestretch.

Hopwood’s Djaymarch Ong led the nine-runner U12 boys division with his time of 16:34, beating SCS’s Elnathan Wong (17:16) and teammate Nathaniel Montano (17:47).

SCS swept the U12 girls podium as Tammy Ackerman (19:37), Seung Yeon Han (25:02) and Shirley Quian (25:13) finished 1-2-3 and ahead of a pair of Hopwood runners.

The U14 and U12 groups ran a 1.9-mile course.

Whispering Palms’ Logan Mister won the five-runner U10 boys group, closing in at 06:59 and ahead of SCS’s Ken Song (07:22) and Haruya Eda (07:31), while the U10 girls lone competitor out of Garapan Elementary School, Joshalyn Flores, ran the course in 09:39.

Kagman Elementary School’s Keon Karibiel timed in at 08:16 to win the U8 boys title against SCS’s Jason Sablan (08:29) and John Hong (8:42). The U8 and U10 fields all ran a 1.1-mile course.