PAPUA New Guinea dominated athletics in the recently concluded 2022 Pacific Mini Games, but NMI coach Dr. Ron Snyder noted that the local team still managed to bag bronze and silver medals.
“I am very happy with our performance overall,” he said. “We are a very young team. Some of us have only been training for a couple of months and many of the team members are still school-aged. But we still managed to log many personal bests and a few medals.”
Snyder said “the competition was extremely tough — Papua New Guinea brought an amazing powerhouse of a team but there were other strong athletes from throughout the region. It was great for our team to see what could be accomplished through hard work and determination.”
The NMI’s Orrin Pharmin and Denise Myers each won a silver medal while Dennis Borja and the women’s 4x100m relay team — Casey Cruz, Zarinae Sapong, Maria Quitugua, Kina Rangamar — collected two bronze medals.
“I thought we would win a few medals but I was pleasantly surprised with two silvers and bronzes,” Snyder said.
“Against 18 participating countries [and territories], I was pretty sure we would medal but I was not sure where. Our team lacked competition experience so a lot of things changed in the actual race.” Snyder added.
He also recognized sprint coach Dave Shamburger, throwing coach Ron Olopai and coach Elias Rangamar for their “all around support.”
As for the NMI athletes, Snyder said “Denise Myers’ performance in the steeplechase was exemplary and I hope that it inspires more people to join the steeplechase. It is such a fun race and I was very impressed with our second and fourth there. Our women’s 4x100m team was also amazing. I loved watching Zarinae come from behind in the last 90 meters to win the bronze. Orrin Pharmin’s silver in the octathlon proves that this is an area where our athletes can shine and we should develop more talent here.”
Snyder said CNMI Sports Hall of Fame member Dr. Kurt Barnes was really impressed with Dennis Borja’s shotput.
Kaithlyn Chavez, for her part, came within a second of the CNMI record for the 800m in her first international competition, Snyder added.
“At 15 years old, I am sure she will be breaking some records soon. In fact, with such a young dedicated team in running, jumping and throwing, I hope to see records shattered within the next year,” he said.
The NMI’s Denise Myers, right, makes her way past a water jump during the women’s 3000m steeplechase event of the 2022 Pacific Mini Games at the Oleai Track & Field.
The NMI’s Orrin Pharmin attempts a long jump in the athletics event of the 2022 Pacific Mini Games at the Oleai Track & Field.
