Repeat winners in All Schools

Familiar faces led the most outstanding athletes list in the 2019 Public School System/McDonald’s All Schools Track and Field Championships.

Siblings Moshe and Savita Sikkel of Brilliant Star School were among the repeat winners of the individual awards Northern Marianas Athletics, PSS, and McDonald’s gave to students that stood out in the competition held early this month at the Oleai Sports Complex.

Moshe, who won outstanding athlete honors in 2016 and 2017, got his third after reigning supreme in the U9 age group. He collected 40 points after topping the 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m runs.

Savita, who was the best athlete in the U9 division in 2017, also lorded it over in the run races, as her first place finish in the 100m, 400m, and 800m, and second in the 1,500m gave her 38 points and the outstanding athlete award in the girls U11 age group.

Last year’s winners Jephda Hong of Koblerville Elementary School, Ysabella Lenteja of Tinian Elementary School, Jaime Pangelinan of Marianas High School, and Christopher Cruz of San Vicente were also honored yesterday at McDonald’s Middle Road.

Hong was the recipient of the top honors in the U7 age group anew after scoring 40 points—10 each for his victories in the 60m, 100m, 200m, and 400m runs. Lenteja also kept her reign in the girls U9 division after notching 40 points for her first place finishes in the 60m, 100m, and 200m runs and the softball throw.

Pangelinan also dominated the sprints—100m and 200m runs—and finished second in the long jump and javelin throw to take the most outstanding athlete award in the girls U18 age group for the second straight year. Cruz, who was the top athlete in the U9 division last year, lived up to expectations despite moving to a much competitive division (U11), as he won the group’s 100m, 200m, and 400m races.

Meanwhile, Saipan International School’s Beatrice Gross, Hopwood Middle School’s Craig Padayao and Angel Roligat, and Tinian Junior and Senior High School’s Tyler Santos were first-time winners of the individual award.

Gross gained 36 points off her first place finishes in the 60m run and long jump and runner-up in the 100m and 200m runs to earn the top honors in the girls U7 division. Santos received the award in the boys U18 for sweeping the 400m, 800m, 1,500m, and 3,000m races.

Padayao and Roligat were the runaway winners of the most outstanding athlete award in the U14 age group with the former ruling the 100m, 200m, and 400m runs and placing second in the long jump. Roligat, on the other hand, was impressive in the field events with her victories in the high jump, shot put, and discus and javelin throws.

“Congratulations to the most outstanding athletes and we hope to see you compete in more All Schools tournaments. We would also like to commend the coaches and the teachers and the students’ parents for their support. Stay with the program and continue your strong work,” said McDonald’s Middle Road manager Joe Ayuyu Jr., who led the presentation of trophies to the winners along with NMA president Ray Tebuteb and secretary Robin Sapong and PSS Student Support Services Athletic Program director Nick Gross.

Global Running Day June 5
In related news, NMA is inviting everyone to join the International Association of Athletics Federations’ “Global Running Day” on June 5 at 5pm at the Oleai track oval. The one-mile run is free and NMA will be providing participants with water and fruits after the event.