THE PSS-McDonald’s All School Track and Field (Athletics) Championships focused on team participation, but outstanding individual athletes were also recognized during an awards ceremony at the McDonald’s Middle Road branch on Tuesday afternoon.
In the 9U age group, Brilliant Star School’s Jaire Camacho and Koblerville Elementary School’s Patrick Mansfield were named MVPs.
Camacho accumulated a total of 36 team points by finishing first in the 800m, 200m, 4×400 relay and third in the 1500m, 400m, and 4×100 relay events while Mansfield contributed 38 team points by finishing first in the long jump, 200m and 100m, second place in the 4×100 relay, and third in the softball throw event.
In the 12U age group, Brilliant Star School’s LoVel Spaeth and Kagman Elementary School’s Daviray Indalecio were the MVPs.
Spaeth earned a total of 42 team points as she finished first in the 800m, 1500m, 400m, 4×400 relay, second in the 200m, and third in the 4×100 relay event.
Indalecio collected 40.5 team points, finishing first in the 60m, 200m, 100m, 4×100 relay and second in the long jump event.
A KAG 5th grader, Indalecio has been competing in track and field for the past three years. When asked about his thoughts on winning the MVP award, he answered, “I’m proud of myself.”
So far, his favorite event of the season is the 200m. “I want to test myself but also take my time when running,” said Indalecio. He thanked his parents, coaches, and all the people who support him.
In the 14U middle school division, Tinian Jr./Sr. High School’s Ysabella Lenteja along with Dandan Middle School’s Jacob Encabo were named MVPs.
Although already attending high school, Lenteja was eligible to participate in the 14U age group but was “unattached” and unable to contribute team points.
Instead, she accumulated 50 points all to herself as she finished first in the long jump, 100m, 400m, 200m, and discus throw events while Encabo collected 47 team points by finishing first in the 3000m, 1500, 4×100 relay and 4×400 relay, second in the 800m and 400m events, and third in long jump.
Tenth grader Lenteja, upon receiving the award, said it was a result of all her hard work. “I’m proud to represent Tinian,” she said, adding that she has been winning MVP awards since third grade. When asked why she joined track and field, she said, “I love being around people and coaches — the sport makes me feel healthy and fit.”
Although it was her first time competing in the event, the discus throw became her favorite of the season.
As for the 18U high school division MVP titles, they were claimed by Saipan International School’s Kaithlyn Chavez and Grace Christian Academy’s Theodore Rodgers.
Now in her senior year, Chavez has dominated the track scene throughout her high school career and continues to do so by winning another MVP award as she gathered a total of 55 team points with first-place finishes in the 800m, 400m, 3000m, 1500m, 4×100 relay, and 4×400 relay events.
Rodgers contributed 30.25 team points by finishing first in the long jump, 100m, 200m, and fourth in the 4×100 relay events.
Presenting the awards were PSS Athletics Program Director Nick Gross, McDonald’s Middle Road acting general manager Angelica Darlucio, Northern Marianas Athletics President Ray Tebuteb, and Rep. Elias Rangamar, a longtime national coach.
Gross said they have certainly reached a milestone in participation this season, with 17 elementary schools and 350 students (201 boys and 149 girls), 12 middle schools with 187 students (106 boys and 81 girls), and 9 high schools with 176 students (120 boys and 56 girls), for a combined total of 713 students.
The MVPs of the PSS-McDonald’s All School Track and Field (Athletics) Championships pose for a group photo during the awards ceremony at McDonald’s Middle Road on Tuesday.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
14U girls MVP, Tinian Jr./Sr, High School’s Ysabella Lanteja, poses for a photo with PSS Athletics Program Director Nick Gross, McDonald’s Middle Road acting general manager Angelica Darlucio, Northern Marianas Athletics President Ray Tebuteb, and longtime national coach Rep. Elias Rangamar.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
12U boys MVP, Kagman Elementary School’s Daviray Indalecio, poses for a photo with PSS Athletics Program Director Nick Gross, McDonald’s Middle Road acting general manager Angelica Darlucio, Northern Marianas Athletics President Ray Tebuteb, and longtime national coach Rep. Elias Rangamar.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
