DENISE Myers of the NMI won the silver medal in the women 10km senior event of the 2022 Oceania Cross Country Championship on Saturday at George Washington High School in Mangilao, Guam.
Myers completed the course with a time of 43:45.49 . In first place was Awa Ongan of Papau New Guinea who clocked 41:55.59 to claim the gold while Ayuri Sugahara of Guam took bronze with a time of 50:54.34. Guam’s Lisa Tomada came in fourth with a time of 58:58.86.
“The competition was good,” Myers said; “there were athletes from Guam as well as Papua New Guinea competing.”
Although she only competed in one event, she is looking forward to several track, cross country and triathlon races that she plans to compete in next year.
“As long as I can stay healthy and keep improving!” she added.
Myers said she is proud of representing the NMI in regional events. She also won silver in the 3,000m steeplechase during the Pacific Mini Games hosted by the Northern Marianas in June.
“I feel incredibly honored every time I put on the NMI jersey,” she said. “I realize how blessed I am to get the opportunity to represent such a beautiful place like the NMI. Getting the chance to compete both on and off island against great athletes is always inspiring and helps keep the drive alive to keep training to be better tomorrow than I am today.”
On Guam, her NMI teammate Sildrey Veloria competed in the men 10km senior event and placed 7th overall with a time of 42:32.81 — his new personal best.
Guam’s Ryan Matienzo (34:41.80), Arthur Toves (35:08.63) and Derek Mandell (35:30.42) won the gold, silver and bronze medals.
“I was particularly looking forward to the event because I would be competing against people I had never met before,” Veloria said. “Since I now have a new personal record, I felt as though I had truly progressed. I had never before competed outside my home island so I was initially a little nervous. However, it turned out to be an incredible experience, and I am grateful to Oceana Athletics, Northern Marianas Athletics, Run Guam, and Ron Snyder for providing me with the chance to compete,” Veloria added.
Accompanying Myers and Veloria on Guam was Team NMI official Edward Dela Cruz.
Team NMI’s Denise Myers, left, team official Edward Dela Cruz Jr., center, and Sildrey Veloria pose for a photo before boarding a plane to Guam to compete in the 2022 Oceania Cross Country Championships held Saturday at George Washington High School in Mangilao.
