In the U12 boys and girls division, William Fong of Saipan Community School and Jo-Ann Reyes of Hopwood Junior High School topped the race that drew 60 students from public and private schools.
Castro finished the 2.1 mile run in the grassy field in 13 minutes and 21 seconds.
Danny Bai of Marianas High School trailed him by 36 seconds. Bai completed the run in 13:57. Jason Taitano also of SSHS came third with 14:17 minutes and Jon Cenir settled for fourth place with 15 minutes and 15 seconds.
HJHS’ Braylan M. Floresca placed fifth with 15 minutes and 15 seconds; William DLG Camacho sixth place with 15:31; SSHS’ Cole Castro seventh place; HJHS’ Renan David Lansang, eighth place and MHS’ Jesse Lorenzo, ninth place.
Among the girls, SSHS’ Madi Onni was the first one to reach the finish line.
Following SSHS’ Tanieu Leuta and HJHS Ethan Aldan MHS’ Manalili, Jeralyn Castillo was the second girls to complete the run followed by her school mate, Lina Manalili.
In the 12-and-under, William Fong of Saipan Community School finished the one-mile run in 7 minutes and eight seconds to win the first place and Danny Auther of Whispering Palms School placed second with seven minutes and 14 seconds.
Jo-Ann Reyes came third with 7:17 minutes to be the first girl to complete the run and following Gabi Race of WPS, Tiana-Mae Aguon Osada also of HJHS placed second in the girls division with 7:46 minutes.
Northern Marianas Athletics secretary general Robin Eugenio said he and the other organizers were pleased to see better turn outs this year compared to 2008 Cross Country.
Last year, over 40 young breed of aspiring athletes competed, with MHS’ Jacque Wonenberg and Matthew Mancao winning the championship.
Since last year’s champions and many other competitors have grown past the eligible age, most participants in this year’s U18 are new faces and fresh runners.
“So we will be looking for new breed of champions here,” Eugenio said, adding that many parents and teachers showed up to support the young runners.
The second series of the Cross Country will be held in the next two weeks.
Cross Country, Eugenio said is where they pick new talents for the track and field seasons all the way to off-island competitions.
