Tinian, GCA, MHS, SSHS tops HS athletics qualifiers

Casey Cruz from Saipan Southern High School is seen in a sprint event during the NMA/PSS All Schools Athletics high school 18U qualifier last Wednesday at the Oleai Sports Complex. (MARK RABAGO)

Tinian High School topped four events, while Grace Christian Academy, Marianas High School, and Saipan Southern High School excelled in three events each in the high school 18U NMA/PSS All Schools Athletics 2022-2023 last Saturday at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field.

The Stallions were the fastest in the one heat of the boys 100m and 400m and took first place in the boys javelin and girls javelin events; the Dolphins claimed first place in one heat of the girls 100m, boys 400m, and boys 1,500m; the Manta Rays was first place in one heat each of the boys and girls 100m and the girls long jump event; and the Eagles dominated a heat in the boys 100m and 400m, and was first in the boys long jump event.

Matthew Sarmiento from THS was first in the 18U boys 100m with a time of 12.21; Mokyang Kim from Marianas High School came in second with 12.42; and Justice Aldan from THS was third at 12.74 seconds.

Sarmiento also claimed the top spot in the 18U boys 400m at 1:02.34; Jacky Liu from Agape Christian School had second place at 1:02.71; and third place was Jasper Hall from Grace Christian Academy at 1:03.17.

In the 18U boys javelin event, Marcial Patio from THS threw the furthest distance of 34.00m; teammate Bonny Gonzales threw 30.42m for second place; and Jovic Tuquero from Saipan Southern High School threw 28.86m for third place.

In the 18U girls javelin event, Karisse Ong from THS was first with her throw of 22.57m; second was Kina Rangamar from MHS with 20.03m; and third was Elim Huang from ACS at 19.77m.

Theodore Rodgers from GCA claimed two top spots in the 18U boys 100m with 11.63 seconds, while in the 400m, he sprinted into the finish line at 57.83 seconds. Second in the 100m race was MHS’ Cody Shimizu at 12.30 and third was Hombre Hocog from SSHS at 12.56. Mokyang Kim claimed second in the 400m with 1:00.63 and third was THS’ Saim Ali with 1:01.8

Jasper Hall from GCA came in first in the 18U boys long jump at 5.80; Mokyang Kim was second at 5.73; and Nolan Nate from SSHS was third with 5.35.

In the 18U girls 100m, Destiny Pangelinan from MHS was first with 14.21; second was Ha’ani Passi from SSHS with 14.68; and Priscilla Cheng from ACS was third with 15.18 seconds.

The 18U boys 400m was dominated by Cody Shimizu’s time of 58.70; second was Caleb Cui from ACS with 1:00.16; and third was teammate Abraham Zhu with 1:05.15.

Anthony Bergancia from MHS tore up the 18U boys 1,500m with a time of 5:14.08; second was Aaron Wang from ACS at 5:14.56; and third was Yu Ling Chai from SSHS at 5:16.73.

The Top 4 in the 18U boys 100m were Jovic Tuquero with 12.30; Saim Ali with 12.60; William Lee from SIS at 13.19; and Ty Sandbergen from THS at 13.79 seconds.

The Top 4 for the 18U girls 100m were Casey Cruz from SSHS at 13.45; Jannah Casarino with 15.20; Karisse Ong at 16.06; and Thonica Aquiningoc from THS at 17.12 seconds.

Top 3 for the 18U girls long jump were Casey Cruz 3.90; Ha’ani Passi at second with 3.71; and Kina Rangamar at third with 3.52.