BARCINAS, DIRAMOS SOAK UP CROSS COUNTRY WINS

By Shania Bulala

With two regular season meets now in the books, the ISA Cross Country season is just starting to gain momentum. Despite the challenging weather conditions caused by the tropical storm that had just passed the island, fans showed up to the George Washington High School campus on Thursday to cheer on their favorite runners while hiding under umbrellas and raincoats.

GW’s Gwenizah Barcinas and the Sanchez Sharks’ Rynier Diramos shined on a gloomy day by claiming first place in the female and male races, respectively. Both runners showcased impressive endurance and determination, powering through all obstacles to finish at the top.

This year’s cross country meet brought a renewed sense of competition, as both public and private schools faced off once again. The participating schools in this meet included the Geckos, Sharks, ND Royals, Academy Cougars, FD Friars, Okkodo Bulldogs and Southern Dolphins.

Due to an increase in athletes, the meets are now split into two races—one for boys and one for girls.

“It’s great to have multiple teams competing at once. It’s nice seeing a large group to run against
versus just having a couple kids and they’re out there running by themselves,” said Geckos head coach Christian Ruder. “I try to teach my kids to be competitive; the more kids, the more competition—and as shown in my athletes, they love the competition.”

Barcinas Defends Home Turf

Barcinas, a junior, used her knowledge of the course to her advantage, navigating every twist and turn with precision. Winning on her home course made the victory even more meaningful. “This is all work towards All-Island and the Asia Pacific Invitational (API), and I think I’m on track to getting the placement I want,” Barcinas said.

The female race began under grueling conditions, with rain pouring down as the starting gun
went off. While the cool temperatures helped alleviate the heat, the waterlogged terrain made it
difficult for runners to find their footing. “It’s a lot cooler when it rains, but really heavy on the
feet as we start going,” Barcinas noted.

Despite the weather conditions, she quickly gained a lead and never looked back, crossing the finish line in 23:54, well ahead of her competitors.

Barcinas remains focused on her ultimate goals for the season, with her sights set on future meets like the All-Island Meet and API. She is determined to continue improving as she prepares for the challenges ahead.

Diramos Excels for the Sharks

In the boys race, Diramos delivered an equally remarkable performance. The rainy conditions that tripped up many athletes seemed to have no effect on him, as he remained calm and focused throughout the race. His strategy was clear from the start: push the pace early, create distance, and control the tempo. That approach worked perfectly, as he pulled away from the field almost immediately, setting a blistering pace.

“I’m very happy with the results of today’s race. I’m very proud of my team,” Diramos said. “This was not the best weather, but this is cross country. I’m just glad they pushed through with having this meet.” Despite the harsh weather, Diramos finished first in the boys race with a time of 19:00. The Sharks took first and second place in this meet, with Diramos’ teammate Shynez Alcairo crossing the finish line at 19:40.

Top 5 Results

Female

Gwenizah Barcianas (GWHS)- 23:54

Camile Leon Guerrero (NDHS)- 27:38

Fiona Buluran (OHS)- 27:43

Selena Camat (GWHS)- 28:06

He’vea Santos (OHS)- 28:06

Male

Rynier Diramos (SSHS)- 19:00

Shynez Alcairo (SSHS)- 19:40

Doniefer Pascua (OHS)- 19:50

Zaiden Paulino (GWHS)- 19:52

Jordan Balicha (OHS)- 20:08

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