LEO Apelo and Josh Joson topped their respective divisions in the sprint event of the 2021 Oceania Athletics Association or OAA Virtual Championships held on Nov. 29, 2021.
As the world continued to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, the OAA decided to go virtual with the CNMI taking part in the regional event at the Oleai Sports Complex.
In the open division, it was Leo Apelo who thrived in the 100m sprint, clocking 00:12.18 to clinch the top spot.
In second place was Beouch Ngirchongor who was just a few milliseconds behind with a time of 00:12.40 while Angel San Nicolas finished third at 00:13.31.
In the 200m distance, Gerald De Guzman finished first with a time of 00:28.97 while Simon Necesito settled for second place at 00:32.07.
In the 800m event, Sildrey Viloria, stole the show by finishing first with a time of 02:39.36. He continued to excel in the 1500m distance which he completed with a time of 05:32.5.
Simon Necesito, for his part, clocked 09:22.3 in the 1500m event.
Youth divisions
In the U18 division, Josh Joson proved to be the fastest runner in the 100m event as he took the first place spot with a time of 00:12.98.
Michael Rodgers was second with a time of 00:13.19, but he finished first in the 200m event by clocking 00:31.00.
Younger brother Theodore Rodgers shared the spotlight by winning the top spot in the U16 division’s 200m with a time of 00:28.34. He also ruled the 400m with a time of 01:03.27.
Tiana Cabrera bagged a U16 title by completing the 1500m event with a time of 06:15.2.
Also participating in the OAA Virtual Championship were runners from the other islands in Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia.
All the results will be posted on the Oceania Athletics website and social media pages in the first week of January.
Participants in the Oceania Athletics Association virtual championships pose for a photo last month at the Oleai Sports Complex.
Sildrey Viloria pushes through for the finish at the Oleai Sports Complex.
Tiana Cabrera holds a steady pace at the Oleai Sports Complex.
