By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

AROUND 30 athletes and officials from Guam will be arriving on Saipan tomorrow to challenge NMI athletes in a goodwill athletics meet at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field facility this weekend.
Northern Marianas Athletics developmental officer Elias Rangamar said this will be the first time that Guam is sending a big delegation to Saipan for a short meet.
“We’ve done this in the past, but only a few Guam athletes came. Now, they have a bigger delegation and we’re looking forward to an exciting meet,” Rangamar said.
Rangamar said they are planning to hold the meet this Friday and Saturday.
Guam will be fielding athletes in the 18-and-under and Open competitions.
Leading Team Guam are 2006 Micronesian Games veterans Nicole Layson and Kenneth Karosich.
Layson is entered in the 800m and 1500m races and 3K run, while Karosich will be competing in the 200m and 400m races and 110m hurdles.
Joining them are Caitlin Mesias, Mary Mantanona, Kellie Castaneto, Krystal Paulus, Naomi Uy, Wayne Alba, Toby Taitano, Enty Tack, Aiko Imbat, Michelle Puaza, Jenny Garrido, Genie Gerardo, Ernie Dumapias, Michael Alicto, Vickie Espiritu, Joefry Limtiaco, Swami, Edward Babauta, Roselin Salle, Josiah Ware, Aldrin and Harold Zapanta, Rick Lizama, Michael Herrero and Diana Alicto.
Coaching them are Franklin Tangalin and Jay Antonio. Team manager is Royanne Salas, while Cora Low is the assistant coach.
The Guam athletes will be up against local bets Dexter and Frank Dillay, Syl Rangamar, Jacque Wonenberg, Lia Rangamar, Reylynn Sapong, Yvonne Bennett, Champ Untalan, Nate Mateo and Freedom Mancao.
NMA secretary general Robin Sapong is hoping that this will start more frequent athletics meets between two neighboring islands.
“We can have a bi-nation meet similar to the tri-nation tournament which the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Nauru have. This will help develop the athletics program of both islands,” Sapong said.
“The more competition we have, the more our athletes will strive for better performance,” he added.
Meanwhile, NMA is reminding participating schools to submit a list of athletes who will be joining the trials for the 2007 McDonald’s All Schools Track and Field Championships.
A series of trials will start on April 9 with student-athletes in the 8-and-under, 10-and-under and 12-and-under age groups set to battle for All School meet slots.
Qualifying trials are set to select the top six student-athletes from Saipan and two each from Rota and Tinian who will compete in the annual event.
The trials for the high school and junior high school participants will begin on April 12.
For more information, contact Rangamar at 664-2502 or via email eli_rang@yahoo.com or Sapong at sapong@pticom.com.