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By Niko Bulaon

The JFK boys defend their title as Sotteru champions. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The 2013 IIAAG Paddling season ended Saturday morning at the Matapang beach in Tumon with all teams trying for a first place title. In an intense 500m finals, the John F. Kennedy Islanders and the Simon Sanchez Sharks put themselves as the top teams, earning the win they worked hard for.

The Islanders took both the girls and boys varsity division in a close call. The Islanders boys team defended their title from 2012 paddling season. The Islanders girls team took the lead by the end of the race, beating the Sharks by a mere second and earning their school another title minutes after the boys.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Islanders girls team captain Christina Lizama about both teams taking this year’s title. “My team pulled through and all the teams did really well today. We just practiced like we usually do, but this time, we didn’t take any chances.”

After falling short and placing second in the girls and boys division, the Sharks took the varsity mixed division. In a hard fought race for a title, the Sharks crossed the finish line two seconds before the George Washington Geckos.

“I feel that my team worked hard for this,” said Sharks senior Andrew Agag. “We pushed everything that we could to do what we wanted and we came to get what we wanted. We came and we conquered.”

Final Results

The JFK Sotteras are the girls varsity paddling champions. (photo by Jesse Castro)

 Sottera (Girls Varsity) Division

1. JFK

2. Simon Sanchez

3. Okkodo

4. GW

Sotteru (Boys Varisty) Division

1. JFK

2. Simon Sanchez

3. GW

4. Okkodo

The JFK boys repeat as Sotteru varsity paddling champions. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Sottera/Sotteru (Mixed) Division

 1. Simon Sanchez

2. GW

3. JFK

4. Okkodo

Manhoben (JV) Girls Division

1. AOLG

2. Guam High

3. Simon Sanchez

4. Okkodo

The Sanchez Sharks Mixed Sotteru team were crowned division champions. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Manhoben (JV) Boys Division

1. Simon Sanchez

2. JFK

3. Okkodo

4. FD

Manhoben (JV) Mixed Division

1. Okkodo

2. Simon Sanchez

3. JFK

4. GW

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