By James Sablan
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Variety News Staff
THE future of Northern Marianas athletics took center stage on Tuesday at the Oleai Sports Complex as the PSS-NMA All School Athletics SY 2025–2026 officially kicked off with the elementary division qualifiers. Young athletes competed for top spots in the 9U and 12U divisions across the 60m, 200m, and 800m events.
The day was marked by high energy and impressive early-season times, with Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, William S. Reyes Elementary School, and Kagman Elementary School making strong statements in the opening heats.
60m Dash
In the 9U boys division, KAG runners dominated. Xayvian Nath sprinted to a blistering 9.67 seconds in Heat 3, while Jace Brennfleck won Heat 1 in 10.10 seconds, and Izeiah Kaipat took Heat 4 in 10.18. Brilliant Star School joined the highlights as Makai Owens claimed first in Heat 2 with 10.97.
On the girls’ side, GTC left their mark with Quinavere Magofna winning Heat 3 in 11.12 seconds and Brooklyn Susulin taking Heat 1 in 11.19. BSS’ Lana Frederick won Heat 2 in 11.37.
In the 12U division, boys’ first-place finishes went to WSR’s Vyron Estella (Heat 1, 10.03), GTC’s Kurtis Saures (Heat 2, 9.78), and KAG’s Tristen Carino (Heat 3, 9.25). On the girls’ side, SIS’ Eleanor Anderson won Heat 1 in 10.30, and KAG’s Nemily Saimon edged the competition in Heat 2 with 9.95.
200m Events
In the 9U boys division, KAG’s Brennfleck and Neth earned second first-place finishes with 34.73 (Heat 2) and 35.37 (Heat 4), respectively. EUC’s Nathaniel Smith took Heat 3 in 39.14, while SCS’ Waylon Beyer claimed Heat 1 in 37.25. The girls’ division saw WSR’s Jaymie Dimasacat win Heat 1 in 39.63, her schoolmate Bautista take Heat 3 in 36.37, and GTC’s Magofna claim 39.96.
In the 12U division, boys’ winners included WSR’s Jesus Acosta (Heat 1, 34.60), GTC’s Geovanni Granada (Heat 2, 34.21), and Liam Rabauliman (Heat 3, 38.17). In the girls’ division, WSR’s Riem Hernandez won Heat 1 in 35.94, Dalerimay Michael won Heat 3 in 36.35, and SCS’ Iris Qin claimed Heat 2 in 35.96.
800m Events
In the 9U boys division, BSS’ Declan Spaeth delivered a strong performance in 3:02.99, followed by KAG’s Jace Brennfleck (3:20.96) and EUC’s Smith (3:32.77). In the girls’ division, WSR’s Bautista clinched first in 3:34.56, narrowly beating BSS’ Jairie Camacho (3:35.87) and BSS’ Lana Frederick (3:36.66).
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
