SEVERAL athletes ended Day 2 of the Northern Marianas Masters Athletics Championships on a high note, hauling in multiple medals at the Oleai Sports Complex on Friday.
In the 200m sprint, gold medalists in the men’s division included: Orrin Pharmin (M35) with a time of 26.90s; Joel Phair (M45), 29.08s; Chad Taflinger (M40), 29.50s; and Géza Baka III (M30), 30.98s. Simon Necesito (M30) took silver with 33.38s. In the M50 category, Greg Borja claimed gold with 32.73s, while Michael Rodgers and Chad Taflinger shared silver, both clocking 39.59s.
Sharing the podium in the women’s division were gold medalists Krista Hawley (W55) with 35.84s, Geri Rodgers (W50) with 39.59s, and Rhonda Gross (W45) with 43.63s.
In the 1500m middle-distance event, the men’s gold medalists were James Munnis (M60) with 5:38.84, Joel Phair (M45) with 6:02.71, Chad Taflinger (M40) with 6:15.85, and Simon Necesito (M30) with 7:52.04.
The women’s division saw gold medal finishes from Akiko Miller (W55) with 5:54.22, Krista Hawley (W50) with 6:44.12, and Geri Rodgers (W50) with 9:07.25.
Aside from the running events, athletes also showcased their strength and technique in the field events.
In the discus throw, standout performances included Nick Gross (M45), who won gold with a distance of 29.36m, and Joel Phair (M45), who earned silver with 22.61m. Tony Ichiuo (M60) took gold with 26.04m, while Angel San Nicholas (M30) earned gold with 23.68m, and Simon Necesito (M30) took silver with 13.96m. Chad Taflinger (M40) won gold with 18.55m. In the M50 category, Greg Borja took gold (18.28m), Jimbo Rayphand won silver (17.76m), and Michael Rodgers earned bronze (16.95m). Rhonda Gross (W45) claimed gold with a throw of 11.99m.
In the long jump, the gold medalists were Joel Phair (M45) with 4.61m, Chad Taflinger (M40) with 4.49m, and Greg Borja (M50) with 3.75m.
In the open division races, Theodore Rodgers was crowned 200m champion with a winning time of 24.83s. In the 1500m, Nash Santos claimed gold with 4:45.09, while his brother Neil Santos earned silver with 5:32.70.
The Masters Athletics Championships also served as preparation for athletes planning to compete in the upcoming 2025 Pacific Mini Games and the Oceania Athletics Masters Cup.
Theodore Rodgers leads the 200m race on Day 2 of the Northern Marianas Athletics Masters Athletics Championships at the Oleai Sports Complex on Friday.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
Nick Gross makes a throw during the discus event on Day 2 of the Northern Marianas Masters Athletics Championships at the Oleai Sports Complex on Friday.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
