By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

(Last part)

NMI and Guam athletes tested not only each other’s running prowess in the Northern Marianas Athletics Track and Field Invitational over the weekend at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field facility, but also their skills in throwing and jumping events.
In the boys’ long jump, Guam’s Michael Alicto posted 6.11 meters to beat Kagman High School’s Frank Dillay (5.91m) and Frank’s older brother Dexter (5.70m).
Other entries in the boys’ long jump were George Washington High School’s Edward Babauta (5.27m), Jesus (5.22m) and Luis Iguel (5.06m), MHS’s Nate Mateo (4.98m) and GWHS’s Harold Zapanta (4.57m).
Simon Sanchez High School’s Mary Mantanona, who competed in running events, also did well in field events topping the girls’ long jump with her 4.10m.
MHS’s Jacque Wonenberg, who won the sprint races, had a decent finish in the long jump placing second with her 3.94m. The SSHS Sharks’ Kellie Castaneto finished third with her 3.52, followed by fellow Sharks’ Caitlin Mesias (3.41m) and Naomi Uy (2.58m).
Southern High School’s Sylvan Rangamar ruled the boys’ discus throw with his 36.61m heave. He beat Simon Sanchez’s Enty Tack (29.51m) and Toby Taitano (29.41m). Placing fourth was GWHS’s Rick Lizama (29.07), followed by the Sharks’ Wayne Alba (27.79m), Southern’s Josh Nakashima (26.66m) and GWHS’s Aldrin Zapanta (22.71m).
Guam dominated the top three places in the girls’ discus with Aiko Imbat placing first with her 26.17m, followed by Genie Gerardo (25.23m) and Vickie Espiritu (24.11m). GWHS’s Diana Alicto (23.93m) was fourth, followed by MHS’s Lei Rangamar (23.73m),Uy (20.83m), Michelle Puaza (19.15m), GWHS’s Roselin Salle (19.12m), Krystal Paulus (17.33) and Castaneto (17.01m).
After placing second to Imbat in the discus, Gerardo won two field events topping the javelin and shotput.
Gerardo posted 22.83m in the javelin throw to beat Imbat (22.78m) and Salle (20.07m). Seven other athletes competed in the javelin throw with Puaza placing fourth, followed by Espiritu, Alicto, Paulus, Rangamar, Castaneto and Uy.
Gerardo downed Imbat anew when she recorded 8.71m in the shotput against the latter’s 7.13m. Espiritu placed third with her 6.73m, followed by Rangamar, Salle, Uy, Alicto, Castaneto, Puaza and Paulus.
Guam’s Ernie Dumapis topped the boys’ hammer throw with his 29.09m heave beating Alba (23.94m) and Tack (22.92m).
Espiritu ruled the girls’ hammer throw posting 27.72m and thwarting Imbat (20.71m) and Puaza (18.59m).
Dexter Dillay defeated the other athletes in the javelin throw. Dexter recorded 42.69m to prevail over fellow NMI athletes Tyrone Omar (38.11m) and Sylvan (36.96m). Taitano placed fourth, followed by Tack, Frank, Zapanta and Alba.
Taitano recovered in the boys’ shot put beating teammate Tack as the former set 10.94m against the latter’s 10.08m.
NMA secretary general Robin Sapong thanked Guam athletes for coming over and competing in the friendly meet.
He also congratulated athletes who made personal records.
“A lot of personal records were set during the two days of competition. Overall it was a great meet between our athletes and Guam’s. Although, we had little time to prepare for the meet, still we were able to pull it off,” Sapong said.