Saipan Southern High School’s men’s team pushes through for the finish during the no-point opener of the 2022-2023 season of the PSS Interscholastic Outrigger Race series on Saturday at Kilili Beach.
The Marianas High School Women’s Team goes through the last leg of a race in the 2022-2023 season of the PSS Interscholastic Outrigger Race series on Saturday at Kilili Beach.
MARIANAS High School, Saipan Southern High School and Kagman High School had their fair share in the spotlight as they showcased their strengths during the no-point opening event of the 2022-2023 season of the PSS Interscholastic Outrigger Race series on Saturday at Kilili Beach.
In a battle of stamina, MHS and SSHS ruled the long-distance 1000m races in their respective divisions.
SSHS dominated the men’s 1000m race by completing all three laps with nearly half a minute ahead of the competition. The team cleared the course with a time of 03:07.800 to finish first, followed by MHS with a time of 06:27.260 and KHS at 06:28.740.
In the women’s 1000m, MHS reigned supreme by clocking at 07:09.990 followed by SSHS with a finish time of 07:44.060 and KHS at 07:44.490.
In the co-ed 1000m distance, SSHS bagged their second victory by finishing first with a time of 06:40.610 followed by MHS, 06:53.650; and KHS, 07:13.030.
MHS Va’a Coach Tiana Aldan noted that there were a lot of eager MHS students willing to take on the sport.
Asked which of the events on Saturday was the most challenging, she said, “The 500m race — it’s fast and it’s only one turn, so one mistake and we could easily be left behind unlike the 1000m with three turns that give you a lot of time to catch up.”
Regarding her team’s chemistry, she said: “Honestly, we just try to promote a healthy and safe environment. It makes the team come together.”
Emma Chong, the MHS women’s captain and a junior student, said: “We’re just excited to be here and we know that everyone wants to win.”
SSHS Coach Joe Weaver, for his part, said the new season “looks very competitive — everyone is around the same skill level. It’s pretty even I believe.”
Although SSHS topped the men’s and co-ed final events on Saturday, he said: “This is kind of like a trial to see where everyone stands and finding the kinks of each team. We just want to stay in winning form and stay with the competition.”
