School principal Jonas Barcinas said the eight topped the two elimination rounds last Saturday.
Similar elimination rounds were held at Chacha Oceanview High School and Dandan Elementary School.
Seventy-one students, including those from Hopwood, participated in these events.
“We want to thank all of our Hilitai participants for their outstanding achievements and pride in representing our school,” Barcinas said.
The Hilitai — or the monitor lizard — is the school’s mascot.
The eight competitors from Hopwood are Masrur Alam, Nikki Yutuc, Jacky Chen, Yearin Kwon, Carlo Marcellana, Joshua Mendiola, Jun Young Kim and Annika Matias.
Barcinas said the school staff and management, including the parents, are very happy and proud of the eight students.
One of their coaches, Aida Gagaring, said the eight will compete with other students from different private and public school this Saturday at Saipan Southern High School.
“Every after-school hours we gave them extra time to practice,” she said.
Barcinas thanked Gagaring and the students’ other coaches: Irish San Nicolas, Carmelita Ada, Andy Medrano, Marilyn Mendoza, Matt Grosenbach and Sancho Escober.
He said the coaches are very committed in preparing the team for the competition.
