The boys’ division featured tough competition, with MHS edging out Saipan International School by a slim margin, 20 to 23. Agape Christian School followed in third with 64 points, while Saipan Southern High School placed fourth with 69. Kagman High School finished fifth with 83, Tinian Jr./Sr. High School sixth with 99, and Mount Carmel School seventh with 108.
In cross country, team scores are determined by adding the finishing places of each school’s top runners, with the lowest total securing the win.
SIS appeared to have the early advantage as Victor Nash Santos captured his fourth consecutive first-place finish in 17:55, followed by teammate Landan Taflinger at 20:32. But MHS surged back with strong pack running, led by Takeru Jim in third (20:35) and Michael Miller in fourth (21:05). SIS’ Victor Neil Santos came in fifth (21:18), but MHS’ Frank Lumanlan (21:32) and Kaide Benson (22:26) tightened the gap. Rounding out the top 10 were Tinian’s Edmar Tirona (22:30), MHS’ Dave Odicta (22:36), and ACS’ Joseph Yang (23:12).
In the girls’ high school division, MHS stood alone on the leaderboard with 10 points, as it was the only school to field qualified runners. The team was led by Orica George (25:55), followed by Jian Chun (27:16), Genelyn Lansangan (29:55), Yu Xi Zhang (31:06), Amy Park (34:08), and Alice Moon (34:52).
Middle schools
In the middle school division, Saipan Community School claimed the girls’ title while Dandan Middle School topped the boys’ division.
SCS led the girls with 27 points, followed by SIS (31), Hopwood Middle School (38), and DMS (44). Leading the top 10 finishers was SCS’ LoVel Spaeth in 14:31, followed by teammate Nadine VanDam (15:05). SIS runners Neveah Arriola (15:10), Leilani Ruszala (15:31), and Harper Loken (15:58) filled spots three through five. The rest of the top 10 included DMS’ Amica Hornilla (16:12), HMS’ Angel Calayag (16:37), DMS’ Talina Aguon-McClure (16:39), HMS’ Maria Hernandez (16:43), and HMS’ Lyanne Barrios (16:53).
In the boys’ standings, DMS secured first with 34 points, narrowly edging HMS with 37. ACS placed third with 54, followed by Chacha Ocean View Middle School (62), SCS (62), SIS (79), and Francisco M. Sablan Middle School (109).
The boys’ top 10 consisted of Benaiah Murphy, who won in 13:20, followed by HMS’ Nicolo Unay (13:32), DMS’ Jeffrey Pangelinan II (13:34), SCS’ Beau Bauer (13:35), SIS’ Gabriel Walsh (13:40), SCS’ James VanDam (13:41), HMS’ Zian Lavarias (14:30), DMS’ Dominic Canete-Ealy (14:35), HMS’ Alexander Salundaguit (14:49), and DMS’ Charles Mauricio (14:50).
