By Jay Leon Guerrero (GSPN)
The IIAAG Track and Field Meet completed its third week Friday night at the Okkodo Field with defending champions performing well.
JFK’s Regine Tugade continued her dominance in the IIAAG Track and Field league breaking her own high school triple jump record with a distance of 10.79 meters. Tugade broke her previous record set last week in the triple jump, which was a distance of 10.75 meters.
Tugade is the national record holder in the 100m and 200m sprints as well. Tugade looks to help the Lady Islanders win their fourth straight IIAAG track title. “I’m excited for everyone on the JFK track team. Everyone is performing well and improving as the days lead up to the all-island meet,” said Tugade.
“I’m really proud that we are getting closer as a team as well. Our coach talked to us about being cohesive as a team because we were not really like that in the beginning. But after he (coach Jay Antonio) talked to us, we’ve made a lot of improvements to fix that”.
The Okkodo Bulldogs and the Guam High Panthers look to end the Islander reign with improved squads as well. Guam High’s Britney Bailey (Hurdles), Lauren Cline (High Jump), and Alexus Davis (Shot Put) each won their events to help the Panthers contend against the Islanders.
Shania Bulala and Celine Amparo are running well for the Bulldogs, each winning their heats in the 100m, 200m and 400m races. Amparo is just a second away from the high school record after running her personal record (PR) with a time of 61.44 seconds.
“I’d say the entire team is on schedule to be at our best by the time the all-island meet comes (next month). Our coach (Desmond Mandell III) and the rest of the coaching staff know what they are doing; they are a really good job at helping us prepare for each meet,” said Amparo.
Amparo, a senior, said she wants to help the Bulldogs to their first track title and also wants to run for team Guam in the future. Her PR of 61.44 is a second shy of the high school record held by Naomi Blaz.
Defending champs look good early

The Guam High Panthers are the defending boys champions and coach Joe Taitano has yet another talented squad this season. Senior Keith ‘Trip’ Chauret swept the sprints, winning the 100m and 200m races. Chauret also helped the Panthers win the 4 X 100 relay with teammates Jujuan King, Rodney Taitague and Soloman White with a time of 45.47 seconds edging out the GW Geckos who finished with a time of 45.69 seconds.
Sophomore Isaac Ventura also scored big points for the Panthers contributing in the middle and long distance races. Ventura was the highest local finisher in the Asia Pacific Invitational Cross Country championships, finishing 12th overall with a time of 18:58. Ventura will be doing the 3000m, 1500m, 800m and 4 X 400m relay.
“It’s a goal for us and we all believe we have a good chance at winning the championship this season. We are focused on having everyone do well in their respective events and either move up or hold their place in the remaining meets,” said Ventura.
Ventura gave credit to coach Joe Taitano for his knowledge and coaching skills for the Panthers. “It’s a humbling experience because there’s not a lot of athletes that get to work under a great coach. We are all just trying to take in what he says because we may never get another chance to be under someone this great.”
The JFK Islanders boys team, which was the boys champion two years ago, will try and reclaim the title. Johnny Quitugua (hurdles), Daelin Alviz (jumps), and Robert Perez (400m/Javelin) will all contribute valuable points to achieve their goal.
The Bulldog boy’s team will also make a strong run at title. John Mesias (sprints), Athan Arizanga (high jump), Josh Miller (throws), and Paul Olandez (throws) will anchor a deep Bulldog squad in their quest to a title.