COACH Jershwin Angeles continues to set the bar high for the NMI national soccer team by finishing first in the month-long Northern Mariana Islands Football Association-Life in the Son Go the Xtra Mile Challenge which ended on Jan. 31, 2021.
Jershwin Angeles
After he topped the first virtual challenge in December, Angeles proposed to extend it by another month to keep the team in shape.
In January, Angeles once again went the distance, covering 100.7 miles to claim first place.
Coach Michiteru Mita shadowed closely behind in second place with a total distance of 92.5. miles.
Third was Jireh Yobech with 29.5 miles, edging Sebastien Manabat who settled for fourth place with 29.2 miles.
Ruben Guerrero completed the top 5 list with 25 miles.
“Thank you very much [Life in the Son] Pastor Eric [Abragan] for organizing this program,” Angeles said. “My goal for this year is to reach at least 100 miles every month. I would like to continue to challenge myself and be an inspiration to the people of Saipan. It seems impossible but with determination and hard work, I can achieve it. I live with my principle — GRIT: ‘I am stronger than my excuses,’ and ‘As much as talent counts, hard work counts twice.’ ”
Coach Mita also thanked Pastor Eric for organizing a program that encourages people to be healthy and to enjoy sports.
“Also thank you to the other participants who inspired and encouraged me to run,” Coach Mita added.
“Why do I run? Because I want to stay fit for soccer. A soccer player runs a distance of [up to 8 miles] in a 90-minute game. I’m not a player but I still try to reach that level to continue to enjoy the game,” Coach Mita added.
Members of the NMI women’s national soccer team also participated in the January challenge.
Andrei Kaithlyn Chavez topped the charts with a total of 24.9 miles. Pia Ngewakl finished second with 13.2 miles followed by Jerlyn Castro in third place with 13.1 miles. Jonne Navarro was fourth with 11.6 miles while Rizza Relucio was fifth with 11 miles.
