ALL ISLAND TRACK & FIELD: THROWS & JUMPS

By Derek Mandell

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a two-part preview for the All Island track and field championships. Read Part 1 here.

The field events are equally as important in the sport of track and field and can become the differentiating factor between a championship team and a team with just good runners. There are several big battles that will take place in the throwing rings and jumping pits on Friday, which will make for an exciting championship evening.

The following preview will break down the throws and jumps disciplines.

Throws

Shot Put

Adrian Nacino of Sanchez has been consistently at the top of the shot put this year. His best throw of 11.95 meters is well ahead of his next competitors, JFK’s Pedro Aquiningoc (11.37m) and Southern freshman Cameron Callaway (11.32m). Both Nacino and Aquiningoc are juniors so the competition should continue to get stronger into next season.

The girls side is a tighter distance separating the competitors with JFK’s Salina Vuong and Southern’s Jaena Taitague entering the final meet with season bests of 9.31 meters. Amanda Cruz of Okkodo is not far behind with a best of 9.20m.

Discus

Southern’s Ryan Teologo is a force to be reckoned with on both the track AND the field. Teologo is ranked top in 300m hurdles, second in the 100m, second in the triple jump, and has the best discus throw of the season with his 35.68 meter heave. The scary part is that Teologo is only a junior. Sanchez’s Nacino (33.42m) and Guam High’s multi-sport standout, Lordan Aguon (33.06m), have the next best throws entering All Island.

Southern’s Taitague (24.89m) and Guam High’s Keri Brooks (24.50m) should have a close duel on Friday. Lianna Urbino of Sanchez has the next best throw of 23.61m. This is Taitague’s first year competing in track and field and is having a strong season so far.

(photo by Asha Robles)

Javelin

GW’s Tommy Borja has the best throw this season of 42.20 meters, however the individual title may turn into a tossup between Borja, Aquiningoc of JFK (41.72m), Aguon of Guam High (41.18m) and Joshua Songsong, also of JFK (40.34m).

Urbino of Sanchez has the accolades and personal bests to prove she is the outright favorite for All Island. Urbino’s season best is 29.80m but has thrown for over 30 meters last season; the senior has also won the javelin title at All Island since her freshman year. Amy Basagar of Sanchez has the next best throw of 27.42m, followed by Frances De Leon of Okkodo (26.84m).

Jumps

High Jump

Underclassmen are dominating the high jump this season with GW sophomore Ethan Alegre and Sanchez freshman Anthony Castro both entering Friday with season bests of 5 feet 10.08 inches. Aaron Castro, twin brother of Anthony Castro, is ranked third with a jump of 5’ 7.20”. Calvin Harmon of Guam High and Vernave Gustillo of Okkodo are tied next at 5’ 6.14”.

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

Alyssa Ryan of Guam High has the best jump on the girls side with a height of 4 feet 7.91 inches. Sanchez’s Lianey De Leon Guerrero and Shaileen Espino are the next best and are tied at 4’ 4.8”. JFK’s Alison Bowman has the next best height of 4’ 3.97”.

Long Jump

Okkodo’s 1-2 sophomore punch of Gustillo (5.85m) and Richard Hale III (5.83m) will have to repeat last week’s performance to come out on top in the long jump. FD’s Roy Taimanglo has the next best jump of 5.77m, followed closely by Sanchez’s Anthony Castro’s jump of 5.74m (from meet #1).

Regine Tugade of JFK is the favorite to win the girls division with her personal best of 4.95m. Espino of Sanchez (4.51m) and Jeashalyn Fejeran of GW (4.43) are ranked a distant second and third.

Triple Jump

Sophomore Johnny Quitugua of JFK (12.50m) and Southern’s Teologo (12.24m) are the only two jumpers over 12 meters. John Macatuno of JFK (11.63m) has a personal best of 11.97 meters from last season and could still be in contention.

JFK’s Tugade jumped a monstrous 10.61m last Friday to break her IIAAG high school record and could possibly win four individual events at All Island. GW’s Ferejan’s best jump of 10.34m is also above average and should not be written off. Vuong of JFK has the third best jump of 9.00m.

(photo by Asha Robles)