Rodgers, Cabrera top 2nd XC qualifier

Grace Christian Academy’s Theodore Rodgers and Saipan International School’s Tiana Cabrera were the beneficiary of a mix up on the turnaround to win the second PSS/NMA Cross Country Qualifier last Saturday on the road leading to Ladder Beach.

Rodgers topped the high school 5-kilometer race in 19.5 minutes. He was followed by Pony Tang and Marques Dame, both of Marianas High School, with times of 20.11 and 21.2, respectively.

The boys high school winner, however, dismissed his victory as kind of a fluke since the top runners missed the turnaround after following the open cross country course.

“I don’t really fully agree with my first place [finish] because the others ran past the place where they’re supposed to turn around,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Cabrera ruled the girls high school 5K after crossing the finish line in 21.11. She was followed by teammates Serin Chung (24.05) and Audrey Castro (24.15).

The girls high school winner admitted she almost befell the fate of the lead runners who unbeknownst to them took the scenic route.

“I felt very happy about my time and the race course was great. I almost did the [open course]! The race for me was really humid on that day that was the main struggle for me overall I’m glad that I came first as it was so unexpected,” she said.

Cabrera thanked the volunteer who yelled at them to come back after they ran past the 5K turnaround 30-40 feet.

“So close but this man who was one of the people who helped guide the race yelled loud enough that I heard him,” she said.

Public School System athletic program director Nick Gross acknowledged the mistake on the part of organizers, but added that the event was just the second qualifier.

“It turns out in rainy season things grow pretty fast and what happened was the initial course that we had set was overgrown and we didn’t had enough time to bush cut and clean it up. So, we were making some modifications on the original trail on game day and they may have been some miscommunication in the turning point in the different age levels. In the end, the results don’t mean much as it’s just basically a training experience,” he said.

MHS’ Dev Bachani, who topped the boys high school division in the first qualifier, said he was initially frustrated but quickly got over it.
“I was a bit mad at first because all that effort was kind of wasted but it’s fine cause it’s just qualifiers,” he said.

The team competition for high school was won by MHS (boys) and SIS (girls).

High school runners at the starting line of last Saturday’s PSS/NMA Cross Country Qualifier on the road leading to Ladder Beach. (Mark Rabago)

In the 2K boys middle school division SIS’ Moshe Sikkel won in a time of 10.23, followed by Francisco M. Sablan Middle School’s Christian Lucero and Saipan Community School’s Elijah Ye, both finishing at 11.26.

The girls contest was won by SCS’ Abbie Kim in 13.02 with SIS’ Suki Peng (13.07) and Aubrey White (13.15) coming in second and third, respectively. GCA won the team competition for boys, while SIS again topped the girls.

In co-ed 12U, Brilliant Star School’s Akeem Edvalson ruled the roost in 7:02. Finn Altizer of SIS was second in 7.04, while Derance Benjamin of Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School was third in 7.43. SIS topped the team competition.

SIS’ Jude Rayphand, meanwhile, topped the co-ed 9U after crossing the finish line in 7.2. GTC’s Kylee Babauta was second in 7.42 with San Vicente Elementary School’s Tamika Masga rounding out the Top 3 in 7.47. SIS also won the co-ed 9U division.

Run Saipan secretary/treasurer Ron Snyder said coordinating the PSS/NMA Cross Country Qualifier along with the International Coastal Cleanup Day 5K was difficult.

“The 5K had a really tough field. The lead pack of six runners missed the turn to come back to the finish and ran a full mile more. Missed turns have always been a part of cross country but we will work hard to make sure that the marshals are out in full force to ensure strong results [the next time],” he said.

Run Saipan president Edward Dela Cruz Jr. seconded Snyder’s assessment and explained that the club had fewer volunteers during the race because of prior commitments.

“It was just a difficult situation today. We were stretched very thin with volunteers. A bulk of our volunteers are in the 442nd 100th BN Echo Company and it was their drill weekend for them today. Volunteers are what make or break races. Hopefully we will have more for next year’s race. I’m so grateful to the ones that helped us out today,” he said.

In jest, Dela Cruz said Bachani and company probably just wanted to race with Marshall Hoskins who ran his last race on Saipan Saturday.

“All I can say is amazing job to those runners for going the extra mile with us today. They got the extra reps in today that will benefit them in the championships. They probably saw Hoskins and wanted to race him one last time too,” he said.