SIS dominates final cross-country qualifier

Elementary school students head out to the course during the last qualifier for the 2019 All Schools Cross-Country Championships last Saturday at the Saipan Country Club. (Contributed Photo)

Saipan International School triumphed in the U18 girls division of the final qualifying race for the 2019 All Schools Cross-Country Championships last Saturday at the Saipan Country Club.

Tiana Cabrera, Dain Lee, and Linxi Cai gave the Geckos the Top 3 finish in the 3-kilometer plus course after timing in at 16:33, 18:06, and 20:00, respectively.

In the boys U18 bracket, SIS continued to excel with Samuel Culp finishing the race first at 14:29. Saipan Southern High School’s Joshua Mendez came in at a close second at 15:08, while Charles McDonald, also from SIS, was ranked third after timing in at 15:59.

In the U14 age group, SIS ruled both the girls and boys divisions.

Doyeon Lee completed the 2K plus course at 10:41 to give the Geckos the win in the boys U14, while his teammate, Rigel Devey, was at close second after posting 10:42. Mount Carmel School’s John Linden took third place after completing the course in 11:35.

In the girls U14, SIS Rebecca Eaton took the top spot by completing the course in 15:08. Dandan Middle School’s Zoe Macaranas registered 17:25 to finish second, while her teammate, Ava Benavente, placed third (17:33).

In the boys U12 division, Tanapag Middle School’s Wataru Kadokura submitted 5:05 in the 1K-plus race to beat Saipan Community School’s David Ye (5:12) and SIS’ Sean Park (5:13). In the girls division, Brilliant Star School’s Fiona Regan came out on top, finishing the race at 5:22, and was followed by SCS’ Abbie Kim (5:44) and William S. Reyes’ Erica Narruhn (6:33).

In the U9 girl division, BSS’ Sari Barman triumphed, as she checked in at 5:28, finishing ahead of SCS’ Allie Brassuell (5:49) and SIS’ Suki Peng (5:55). In the boys race, SCS had a 1-2 finish with Jose Sablan finishing first at 5:32 and Patrick McDonald coming in second at 5:42. SIS’ Finn Altizer completed the Top 3 with his 5:43.

In the U7 age group, MCS won both the boys and girls races. Kainoa Tenorio timed in at 5:05 to beat SIS’ Jude Rayphand (5:40), while Franko Tudela, also from MCS, was ranked third after recording 6:43. In the girls division, Celine Christy clocked in at 5:23 to prevail against BSS runners Aya Smith (5:53) and Shana Barman (6:05).

Meanwhile, all the qualifiers will compete in the finale race set for Oct. 18 at 4pm at the Saipan Country Club.