JFK’S AQUINO & TUGADE SET NEW RECORDS

By Derek Mandell

John Aquino IV of JFK has been rewriting the high school record books since 2013. Friday evening at Leo Palace, Aquino not only rewrote history but created his own chapter.

The senior runner from Dededo shattered his IIAAG high school record in the 3000m run with a time of 9 minutes and 11 seconds. Aquino had run a 9:17.44 earlier in the season, but was not counted as a record since it was not run at an official IIAAG meet, and last week ran 9:22.43.

“I was really surprised,” said Aquino on his record breaking performance. “I thought I ran a 9:20 and was thinking I either barely broke it or was close to breaking it. And when I looked it the (clock) closely, it was at 9:10…I broke the record by nine whole seconds so I was so happy.”

Last year, Aquino’s record stood at 9:20.51. He stated that his body felt good during the race and was not paying attention to his watch.

“I was really motivated by my mom, coaches, and a really special gal, so I was really motivated to smash this for them,” Aquino added.

Not even John Aquino himself can believe his time as he finishes the 3000m run. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Later in the night Aquino won the 800m in 2:03.43, ahead of Guam High’s Austy Hines (2:07.39) and Southern’s Rainier Porras (2:09.61).

JFK’s Regine Tugade, a sophomore, also had an impressive day at the track. Tugade was unstoppable in the sprints and continued to fine tune her speed. Her times 12.87 in the 100m and 26.34 in the 200m put her in the top of the field. Defending champion in the 100m and 200m, Raquel Walker of GW, posted the second fastest times of the night in 13.05 for the 100m and 27.60 in the 200m.

“I want to break the national record in the 100m and want to break the high school record in the 200m of 26.2, as well,” said Tugade.

Tugade’s speed translated well into the jumping events as she broke her personal record (and possibly high school record, pending verification) with a distance of 10.30 meters. Tugade also won the long jump (4.86).

Southern’s Ryan Teologo showed his versatility in athleticism by posting the top performances in three different events and nearly winning his fourth event.

Teologo began his evening by winning the long jump with a distance of 5.69 meters. Immediately afterwards he made his way to the 100m starting line and posted the second fastest time of the day in 11.80 seconds. From there he had to make a three-quarter mile trek to the discus cage and posted the farthest throw for the day in 32.98 meters.

“It’s pretty hard because the discus, the 100m, and the long jump are all in the same time frame, so I had to keep going back and forth between the (throwing and jumping) field and the track but I was able to manage to do all of them,”said Teologo.

Later in the evening, Teologo flew threw the 300m hurdles with a time of 42.49 seconds, besting his competitors by over 10 meters.

Several weeks ago, during basketball season, Teologo suffered a concussion and was unable to resume any sort of workouts for three weeks.

Ethan Alegre easily clears the first high jump. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

“Ever since I got (medically) cleared, I’ve been progressing but not that fast. But today I actually surprised myself,” said Teologo. “(Today) gave me more confidence because I’m seeing the progression.”

JFK’s Alison Bowman was the top distance runner on the girls’ side by winning the 800m and 1500m in dominant fashion. Bowman won the 800m in 2:33.44, which was nearly XX seconds ahead of the second finisher.

Guam High continued their strong season in the boys sprinting events. Senior Juwan Jacobs won the 100m in 11.68 and remains undefeated in the event this season. Later in the evening the Panthers’ Austin Cantrell (23.98) edged out GW’s Alex Dunn (23.99) in the 200m, although they ran in separate heats. Guam High also won the boys 4x100m relay in 46.2.

In the hurdling events, Guam High’s Christina Francisco was well ahead of the field in both the 100m and 300m hurdles. Francisco finished the 300m hurdles in a time of 50.89 seconds, which was nearly five seconds faster than her nearest competitor. She also won the 100m hurdles in 18.53 earlier in the day.

JFK sophomore Johnny Quitugua cruised through the 110m hurdles by winning in 16.80 seconds.

Okkodo’s Celine Amparo (1:04.06) edged out JFK’s Maria Ollet (1:04.59) for the best time of the night in the girls 400m. Southern’s Christian Gico (54.43), FD’s Bleu Perez (54.69), and Okkodo’s Richard Hale III (54.81) all ran under 55 second in the boys race.

Full results will be posted as soon as available.

PHOTO GALLERY:

(photo by Robert Balajadia)

(photo by Robert Balajadia)

(photo by Robert Balajadia)

(photo by Robert Balajadia)

(photo by Robert Balajadia)

(photo by Robert Balajadia)