All Schools top performers recognized

The top student-athletes in the 2016 PSS/McDonald’s All Schools Track and Field Championships are joined by McDonald’s Joe Ayuyu Jr. , left back row, and Marcia Ayuyu, fourth right, for a group photo during the awards ceremony last Friday at McDonald’s Middle Road. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Twelve student-athletes were named top performers in their respective age group competitions in the 2016 PSS/McDonald’s All Schools Track and Field Championships in a brief awards ceremony last Friday at McDonald’s Middle Road.

All Schools meet first-timer Moshe Sikkel led the individual awardees as he reigned supreme in the boys U7 division. The Brilliant Star student collected 54 points for placing first in the 60m, 200m, 400m, and 800m races, second in the 100m run, and third in the softball throw. Sikkel got the most points in the elementary division.

Sikkel and the 11 other top student-athletes received trophies presented by McDonald’s Saipan owner and operator Marcia Ayuyu and store manager Joe Ayuyu Jr.

“We congratulate all the winners for a job well done. I know they’ve been practicing hard for weeks or months for the tournament and now they were rewarded for their efforts. They came out the best among the best,” Joe Ayuyu Jr. said.

“I hope they will continue to train and join the tournament, as we at McDonald’s at this early vow to keep supporting the All Schools meet as our way of giving back to the community and encouraging our kids to stay active through sports,” Marcia Ayuyu added.

Joining Sikkel on the awardees list were William S. Reyes Elementary School’s Kiyana Karki, Koblerville’s Skymark Defang and Becky Walter, Tinian’s Devin Cing and Zachariah Hofschneider, Whispering Palms’ Ashley De Courteney, Saipan International School’s Rintaro Miyawaki, Hopwood Junior High School’s Therize Millare and Terrence Babauta, Dandan Middle School’s Jamie Pangelinan, and Marianas High School’s Zarinae Sapong.

Sapong was at work and missed the awards presentation, but his father and Northern Marianas Athletics secretary general Robin Sapong was present to accept her girls U18 trophy. Sapong scored the most points in the entire tournament held last May 4 to 7 at the Hopwood field after collecting 76. She ruled the 60m, 100m, 200m, and 400m runs and was second in the discus and javelin throws.

The MHS student shared the division top honors with Hofschneider, who came all the away from Tinian to receive his award. The Tinian Junior and Senior High School student prevailed in the discus and shot put throws and was runner-up in the 60m, 100m, and 200m runs to gain 62 points.

In the U15 age group, Babauta and Pangelinan tallied 56 and 44 markers, respectively to win their division. Babauta finished first in the 200m and 400m runs and second in the 60m and 100m races, while Pangelinan won the 60m and 200m and was runner-up in the 100m and 400m.

Millare duplicated Babauta’s total points to gain the award in the girls U13 division, while Miyawaki claimed the boys plum after earning 42. The Hopwood student swept the 60m, 100m, 200m, and 400m runs and was third in the 800m event. Miyawaki ruled the 400m and 3,00m runs and finished second and third in the 800m and 1,500m races, respectively.

In the U11 age group. Cing got 38 points to clinch top honors in the boys division, while Courteney’s 46 markers gave her the girls tiara. Courteney won the 800m and 1,500m runs and placed second in the 400m and 200m events. Cing, on the other hand, topped the 100m and 200m runs and was runner-up in the softball throw.

In the U9 division, Koblerville had a sweep after Defang and Walter tallied 50 and 46 points, respectively. They recorded first place finish in the 60m, 100m, and 200m and Defang added a second place finish in the 400m to his list, while Walter was ranked third in the softball throw.

Karki was also at third place in the softball throw and earned first and second finishes in the 800m and 1,500m runs, respectively, to get the girls U7 trophy after collecting 46 points.