Gabrielle Race of Whispering Palms School won her third back-to-back award since 2007.
Race who topped in the 1,500-meter run in 2007 and 2008 retained her crown in the 12-and-under girls division as she finished first 6:45:37 during All-Schools meet last May 2.
She ran unopposed in the 3,000-meter run circling the track in 15 minutes and 31.5 seconds.
With her 3 minutes and 18.5 seconds, Race placed second in the 800-meter run trailing Saipan Community School’s Lydin Johnson who completed the run in 3:14.51.
Northern Marianas Athletic’s Robin S. Eugenio however said determining the most outstanding young athletes is not about the number of medals awarded but based on individual performance during the completion.
“It’s performance-wise how the outstanding athletes were selected,” Eugenio said.
In the 12-and-under boys, Jeremy Lizama of Dandan Elementary School was awarded the most outstanding athlete. He finished first in the 200-meter running 28.63 minutes. He also defeated five other young runners in the 400-meter run completing it in 1 minute and 13.84 seconds.
Juan Quitugua of Tanapag Elementary School got the same award in the 10-and-under boys division. He dominated the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter sprints finishing them in 15.02; 32.62 and 1:16.90 respectively.
Lucy Park of Whispering Palms School topped the 400-meter run to earn the most outstanding athlete in the 10-and-under girls division. She ran 1:19.51 besting six other girl sprinters.
In the 8-and-under boys, Jerimo Okaruru of Dandan Elementary School got the most outstanding award. He finished 36.31 in the 200-meter run and 1:24.41 in the 400-meter.
Julie Ishikawa went first in two of the eight events for 8-year-and-under girls but she participated in all of those to deserve the most outstanding athlete award.
She finished first in the 800-meter run with 3:35.59 and 1,500-meter with 7:26.26.
Ishikawa of Saipan International School placed second in the 100-meter dash with 17.12; third in 200-meter with 36.05; second place in 400-meter with 1:27.46 and third in softball throw with a distance of 10.22 meters.
This year’s most outstanding athletes were accompanied by their parents and coaches during the awarding led by NMA President Kurt Barnes.
