Southern poses big threat to MHS

 Judging from Week 1 results of the qualifiers, Saipan Southern High School will be a big hurdle to Marianas High School’s title defense bid in the 2012 McDonald’s 2012 PSS/McDonald’s All Schools Championship.

The Manta Rays will be a threat to the many-time champions Dolphins in the boys division after the former posted three of the four best records in the qualifying events last week at the Oleai Sports Complex.

In the boys U18 60m run, Southern’s Nevin Salem stunned sprinter Beo Ngirchongor, as the former timed in at 7.28 seconds against the latter’s 7.29. Another Southern bet, John Babauta, finished third at 7.30 seconds, followed by MHS’ Jim Lacsina (7.33 seconds), Southern’s Paul Mariano (7.54), and MHS’ Tanner Kenty (7.56), John Santy (7.60), Joon Lee (7.82), Hughen Cholymay (7.85), Michael Moran, Jr. (7.86), and Michael Mancao (7.86). Three other Southern runners, seven MHS bets, and one from SIS joined the qualifying sprints.

Salem again pulled off an upset over Ngirchongor in the 100m qualifying races, as the former clocked in at 11.56 seconds, .23 of a second ahead of the latter (11.79 seconds). Mariano had the third fastest qualifying time at 11.92 seconds, followed by Lacsina (12 seconds), Tanner (12.16), Mancao (12.18), MHS’ Poland Masaharu (12.48), Southern’s Kimo Olopai, and Saipan International Schol’s Christopher Lam (12.69). Sixteen other runners joined the 100m qualifier.

In the long jump, Mariano logged the best record at 5.41 meters beating four other MHS bets, Mancao (5.34m), Lacsina (5.03m), Kenty (5), and Moran (4.98m).

The Dolphins managed to foil Southern’s sweep of the Week 1 qualifiers when the quartet of Mancao, Ngirchongor, Kenty, and Lacsina ruled the 4x100m relay with a time of 48.25 seconds. Southern’s Babauta, Salem, Mariano, and Olopai checked in at 48.61 seconds, while MHS’ second team (Santy, Cholymay, Masaharu, and Damart Teregeyo) came in at third (51.49 seconds).

All the qualifying records in the high school division will be compiled and only the Top 8 will earn slots to the All Schools meet that will run from May 17 to 19.

Meanwhile, in the girls division, in was an all-MHS affair with Rachel Abrams winning all three individual qualifying events. She clocked in at 7.88 seconds in the 60m sprint, 12.82 in the 100m run, and 4.41m in the long jump, beating her MHS teammates.