IN the second local meet of the 2021 Oceania Athletics Association Virtual Championships on Dec. 20, several individuals took the spotlight.
Traven Quitugua topped the 100m sprint open division with a time of 11.56 while Leowel Cristobal (11.95) and Orrin Pharmin (12.34) finished second and third.
In the U16 division, Theo Rodgers took first place with a time of 12.18 while Michael Rodgers topped the U18 division with a time of 12.8.
In heat 2 of the 100m sprint, the lone runner, Reylynn Sapong, clocked 13.28 while Maria Quitugua shared the podium finish in the U18 division with a time of 15.09.
In the 400m event, there were two participants in the men’s open division: Orrin Pharmin who finished first with a time of 01:00.0 while Edward Dela Cruz Jr. placed second with a time of 01:12.0.
In the women’s division, Reylynn Sapong earned another solo finish (01:07.6).
Joining the 400m event were Theo Rodgers who finished first (01:00.6) and Michael Rodgers who topped the U18 division (01:50.0).
In the 1500m event, Keith Katola took the top spot when he crossed the finish line with a time of 04:48.9 followed by Sildrey Viloria who clocked 05:28.7.
For her part, Tiana Cabrera reigned in the U16 division with a time of 05:56.0.
“It was our intention to join the [Oceania Athletics Association] virtual event since it was first announced,” Northern Marianas Athletics secretary general Robin Sapong said.
“We had planned to hold it in mid-November and in the second week of December before going on a short break during the holidays,” he added. “But with the recent Covid-19 situation in our community, we had to modify the schedule as some of our officials and athletes were not available.”
Still, Sapong said they were happy to hold a test run for athletes who were available to compete on such a short notice.
He said NMA is now looking forward to start a new season as part of the preparations for the Pacific Mini Games that Saipan will host in June 2022.
Reylynn Sapong pushes through the final stretch of the 400m event of the Oceania Athletics Association Virtual Championships at the Oleai Sports Complex on Dec. 22.
Orrin Pharmin and Theo Rodgers head to the finish line of the 400m event of the Oceania Athletics Association Virtual Championships at the Oleai Sports Complex on Dec. 22.
