Topping the 18 and under category was Marianas High School’s Michael Mancao, who completed the course at 12 minutes and 42 seconds. He prevailed over Danny Bai by three seconds, pushing him into second place. Coming in third was Beouch Ngirchongor, who finished at 13:01.
After Julius Barro, Cris Obaldo was the only female to make it to the top five of the 18U division.
Meanwhile, Hopwood Junior High School’s Kelvin Deleon Guerrero bested his fellow runners in the 14U category after clocking in at 14:33. Jin Pyo Geon, Saipan Community School’s only representative in the category, came in second at 19:48. Completing the top three in the group was HJHS’ Rex Xu.
In 12U group, lone Whispering Palms School runner John Auther won first place. Trailing behind him at the finish line was SCS’ Elnathan Wong, who came in six seconds later. Beating Colin Ramsey for third place was Dylan Ackerman.
A total of 52 students from six schools competed last Saturday, with participants in the U18 and 14 categories running a longer path than the younger athletes.
SCS dominated the other two divisions of the race, with Nael Lim placing first in the 10U boys and girls category.
Brian Lee won second, while Garapan Elementary School’s Joshalyn Flores placed third.
Only four students ran in the 8U group, which included Ken Song (first), Derrick Seo (second), Jina Lee (third), and Jeffrey Seo (fourth).
The NMA will be holding its final cross country race this Saturday, October 30 at the airport road. Venue for the cross country championships has not been determined yet, but will take place on November 13.
