RESOL no Mori, Japan — Day 2 of the Asia Pacific Invitational Cross Country Championships concluded with Team NMI continuing to demonstrate resilience and teamwork, earning a solid 9th place overall in the competition. Competing against 37 schools, NMI athletes excelled in both individual races and the relay event, capping off a remarkable showing at the largest API in history.
After two days of intense competition, Team NMI secured 9th place overall, with a combined total score of 27 points. The team’s consistency across the boys, girls, and relay categories showcased their strength in a very competitive pool.
• Boys Team: 7th place overall
• Girls Team: 11th place overall
• Relay Event: 9th place overall
The relay race saw Team NMI finish 9th overall, with standout efforts from all team members. The team of SIS Teammates Nash Santos and Addalee Taflinger pushed into first place, finishing in 13th place. In the team relay event, pairs of students alternated 1-mile loops for a total of 6 miles. Each pair counted as one runner for the team. Jireh Wang (ACS) and Kaithlyn Chavez (SIS) also put forth a very strong performance, finishing in 16th place. The remaining 5 pairs worked cohesively to deliver a time that positioned them competitively among top regional schools. Despite fierce competition from teams like Guam and Kinnick, NMI athletes held their ground, showcasing their determination and teamwork.
The final standings of the API highlighted the depth of competition, with two DODEA schools, Guam High and Kinnick High, leading the pack. Team NMI’s final 9th place ranking among 37 schools is a testament to their hard work and preparation for this prestigious event.
Looking forward
The 2024 API was a historic event, and Team NMI’s performance reflected their growth and potential on an international stage. With several personal bests, solid team finishes, and the experience gained from navigating large, competitive race packs, the athletes are poised for continued success in future races.
Congratulations to the entire NMI team: Victor Nash Santos (SIS),Takeru Jim (MHS), Yile Wang (ACS), Michael Miller (MHS), Yongqi Fan (ACS), Ziheng Cai (ACS), Simon Tang (SSHS), Landen Taflinger (SIS), Ruizhe Zhu (SIS), Lang Yang (ACS), Kaithlyn Chavez (SIS), Addalee Taflinger (SIS), Zhaoyu Shen (ACS), Aubrey White (SIS), Jiamei Hong (ACS), Ruishi Zhu (ACS), Julie Chavez (SIS), Catherine Pan (MHS), Jian Chun (MHS), and Panpan Zhang (ACS)
Kaithlyn with the baton.
At the closing ceremony.
Landen Taflinger runs the course.
Landen Taflinger runs the exchange zone.
Kaithlyn and the other runners before the start of the relay.
And off they go!
Samuel runs down the hill.
Team NMI cheer
Team NMI, post-API
Team NMI seniors Jireh Wang, Simon Tang, Kaithlyn Chaves, Mary Zhu and Samuel Zhu.
