GECKOS DOMINATE WEEK 5

By Jay Leon Guerrero

The 2024 ISA Track and Field season is two weeks away from the all-island meet, and athletes are making that last push to qualify for the season finale. 

The FD Friars continue to perform well in the throwing events with Donovan Paulino, Joevince Meno, and Alonzo Acosta going 1-2-3 in the Shot Put. Paulino is still leading with 11.86 meters overall this season.

Southern High School’s freshman Lana Quinata is continuing to make strides in her first season. Quinata achieved her personal record in the Discus, Shot Put, and Long Jump events, winning all three events on Thursday.  

Her PR’s in the Shot Put and Discus are now leading the ISA overall standings this season. Quinata’s throw of 27.93 meters led the Discus, and 9.10 meters is the new mark to beat this season in the Shot Put. 

“This is all kind of new to me because I did not do Track in middle school,” said Quinata. Quinata, a basketball phenom for the Dolphins, said her brothers convinced her to participate in Track to get in better shape for basketball.

Quinata said she wants to do well in the all-island meet for her school but does not want to be pressured. “I’m going into the all-island focused, but I will also look to have fun.” 

Another freshman performing well is Guam Adventist Academy’s Evan Mendiola. Mendiola’s throw of 34.12 meters last month is still leading all ISA high school athletes in the Discus event. On Thursday, Mendiola’s throw of 31.13 meters was second to Southern’s Victor Sayama. Sayama narrowly beat Mendiola with a throw of 31.73 meters. 

“I didn’t have my best throws today, I was beat by a very talented thrower from Southern, Victor Sayama,” said Mendiola. Despite his performance, his throw of 34.12 meters is still in the lead for the season. “My goal at the all-island meet is to have a throw of 37 meters,” said Mendiola. 

Geckos Dominate the Running Events

The GW Geckos were on fire Thursday evening. Both boys and girls won all the running events with exemption of a couple of relay events. With the all-island a couple of weeks away, the Geckos will be looking to contend for a team championship under the tutelage of head coach Desmond Mandell III. 

GW’s Alexander Clark had a good day in his long-distance events with victories in the 3000, 1500, and 800 meter events. His time in the 3000 meters was 10:04, his fastest this season. “I felt like I was getting more into the swing of things and getting closer to my peak from last year,” said Clark. 

Clark, a senior, said his goal is to help the team in the 3000 meters and run a time under 10 minutes. “This is my third year with the Geckos, and we are all really close. We are a tight-knit team,” said Clark. 

GW’s Kyle Garcia swept the Sprinting events on Thursday with wins in the 100, 200, and 400 meter events. Jacob Jackson won both hurdle events (110 and 300 meters). 

The FD Friars 4 X 400 meter relay team of Beau Perez, Erwin Manibusan, Nico Chargulaf, and Sean Hale’hale spoiled the Gecko sweep beating the Gecko team by 1 second. 

The GW girls were equally impressive on the track. Yenia Smartt won the 100-meter event. Aleah Castro won the 200 and 400 meter events and both hurdles events. Maeva Conroy won the 800 and 1500 meter events. Jasmine Lee from GAA won the 3000-meter event to avoid a clean sweep. 

Meet 5 continues on Saturday with Academy, Guam High, JFK, Okkodo, and Sanchez competing at the JFK Track. 

For complete results, click the link below for Meet 5:

https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/548101/results/all

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