By James Sablan
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
MARIANAS High School proved to be the team to beat in the PSS-NMNPSF Interscholastic Outrigger Race Series SY25-26, sweeping all three division titles. Its mixed division team, in particular, delivered a dominant performance at Kilili Beach on Sunday morning.
Although the usual 500m and 1000m courses were adjusted into a “triangle slalom” due to weather conditions, the change did little to slow MHS’ momentum on the water.
After a season marked by steady improvement, the MHS mixed team left no doubt in the final race, sweeping both the preliminaries and the double-point championship round.
In the prelims, MHS posted a blistering time of 14:53.50, finishing more than a minute ahead of the field to earn 14 points. Kagman High School placed second with a time of 15:53.90 for 10 points, while Saipan Southern High School took third in 16:37.90 for six points.
In the championship round, MHS secured the title with a time of 15:04.40, earning 28 points for a total of 42 in the race.
The battle for second place went to Saipan Southern, which clocked 15:41.40 to edge Kagman (16:19.00). SSHS earned 20 points for a total of 26, while KHS added 12 points to finish third overall with 22.
The mixed division standings reflected a season-long battle, but MHS ultimately stood atop the field with 114 points to claim the championship. SSHS followed in second with 102 points, while KHS finished third with 50.
Results for the boys and girls divisions will be released in the next issue of Variety.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
