SAIPAN International School claimed the U9 and U12 girls elementary division title of the PSS-McDonald’s All School Athletics Championships, accumulating a total of 121 points during the two-day event held on April 28 and 29 at the Oleai Sports Complex.
In second place was Oleai Elementary School with a total of 90 points followed by Tinian and Garapan elementary schools with 72 points each.
SIS shined the brightest in the mid-distance events and dominated the U12 1500M distance.
Leilani Ruszala led the pack as she finished first with a time of 06:50.05 followed by schoolmates Isla Grant (06:50.30) and Windsor Gross timed (07:00.01).
SIS’ Neveah Arriola joined the podium finish as she placed second in the U9 1500M with a time of 06:49.81. Oleai Elementary School’s Kaylen Taflinger who clocked 06:43.01 topped the race.
Ruszala clinched her second first-place finish in the U12 800M event with a time of 03:18.59 while Gross finished third with a time 03:19.26.
Arriola, for her part, placed third in the U9 800M with a time of 03:20.80.
Ruszala and Gross also placed second and third in the softball throw with 3.29 meters and 2.85 meters, respectively.
SIS’ Scarlett Burrell ruled the U9 200M event with a time of 33.40 while Arriola came in third at 34.85.
Burrell earned her second title in the U9 100M with a time of 15.82 while settling for second place in the U9 60M distance with a time of 10.03.
SIS coach Kathy Ruszala was satisfied with her team’s performance. “It was fantastic. Our kids pushed their hardest the entire season — showing up and giving it their best,” she said.
“It also helps that most of the families run together and encourage their kids to do these events. They actually like running,” she added.
Coach Ruszala also acknowledged the efforts of Northern Marianas Athletics and the Public School System in further improving the yearly event.
“It went really smoothly and started on time; every year gets better. They really put it together for the kids — that’s the best part, doing it for the children,” she added.
The young athletes of Saipan International School, Oleai Elementary School and Tinian Elementary School pose for a photo during the U9 & U12 girls division awards ceremony of the PSS-McDonalds All School Athletics Championships at the Oleai Sports Complex on Saturday.
