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Interscholastic program ‘coming back to life’
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Posted on Feb 15 2021
Kagman High School paddlers steer their canoe as they make a turn at Kilili Beach during last Saturday’s kick-off leg of the 2020-2021 Public School System Interscholastic High School Canoe Race Series. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
The 2020-2021 Public School System Interscholastic High School Canoe Race Series kicked off last weekend at Kilili Beach Park, making the event the third competition hosted under the PSS Student Support Services Athletic Program.
The opening leg of the canoe race series featured the girls and boys teams of Kagman High School, Marianas High School, and Saipan Southern High School. They raced in the boys, girls, and co-ed 500m and 1,000m preliminaries and finals.
“I am very happy for our students. Mental and physical wellness should go hand in hand so it’s really nice to see them do outdoor activities, like sports after missing several events last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I see a lot of energy from our students who are excited to come out and compete,” Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred B. Ada.
Saipan Southern High School paddlers exchange high-fives with their coaches. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
“It’s very heartwarming to see our interscholastic sports program coming back to life,” Ada added.
Before starting the canoe season, PSS first held the 2020-2021 PSS/Northern Marianas Athletics All Schools Cross Country Series in November and December with students in the elementary, middle school and high school both in public and private competing in various races at the CPA Airport Field. Then last month, the 2020-2021 PSS Interscholastic 4v4 Beach Volleyball League kicked off at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, featuring high school students (boys and girls) with both private and public schools fielding multiple teams in the competition. The beach volleyball league has completed its preliminary matches and will begin the playoff round this Friday (Feb. 19) for the girls division and next Friday (Feb. 26) for the boys field. Tinian and Rota teams are invited to join the double-elimination playoffs.
Marianas High School students compete in the 500m event in last Saturday’s kick-off leg of the 2020-2021 Public School System Interscholastic High School Canoe Race Series at Kilili Beach. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
Meanwhile, last weekend’s canoe races served as warm-ups for the participating teams as no points were awarded in the kick-off event. Points will be at stake in the sprints races on Feb. 20, March 6, and March 13 (double points/championship round) and in the long distance event set for Feb. 27.
Northern Marianas National Paddle Sports Federation is assisting PSS in holding the canoe race series, which NMPSF president Justin Andrew did not expect to go ahead this season due to the pandemic.
“But thankfully we are able to play and go back to our playground. It’s good to see our paddlers back in the water. Thanks to the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force for keeping us safe and allowing us to hold this event and to the community for following safety protocols,” Andrew said.
