Manta Rays, Lady Dolphins paddle to va’a titles

Manta Rays, Lady Dolphins paddle to va’a titles

After many years of only the three public high schools competing in the co-ed outrigger races, Mount Carmel School finally rejoined the competition this season, adding more excitement and competitiveness to the event out on the water.

However, there could only be one winner in each of the three divisions, and Saipan Southern High School's paddlers dominated the season, winning both the boys' and mixed division titles of the 2024-2025 PSS-NMNPSF Interscholastic Co-Ed Outrigger Race last Saturday at Kilili Beach.

The Manta Rays’ boys team collected a total of 145 points from the 500m, 1,000m, and the long distance races to bag first place overall. Second place overall was Kagman High School with 115 points; third went to Marianas High School at 54 points; and Mount Carmel School settled for fourth with 47 points.

In the final 500m finals, the Manta Rays clocked in first at 2:49.610 for 28 points; second was Kagman High School at 2:53.780 for 20 points; third went to Mount Carmel School at 2:58.360 for 12 points; and Marianas High School came in fourth at 3:065.460 for 10 points.

In the 1,000m finals, the Manta Rays finished first again with a time of 6:09.640 for 28 points; MHS paddled into second at 6:12.240 for 20 points;, KHS was third at 6:21.670 with 12 points; and MCS clocked in at 6:49.200 to garner four points.

As for the mixed division, the girls and boys of SSHS paddled their way together to the championship with 142 total points. Second was KHS with 98 points; third went to MHS at 91 points; and MCS was fourth with 46 points.

The Manta Rays glided to first place in the 500m finals at 3:05.190; KHS came in second at 3:06.450; third was MHS with 3:08.160; and MCS was fourth at 3:30.750. In the 1,000m finals, MHS turned the tides and finished first at 6:43.970; SSHS was second at 6:44.290; KHS was third with 6:43.970; and MCS finished fourth with 7:26.410.

SSHS co-captain Kadmiel Rey said that the season was intense. In the finals, he said that the team “did wonderful. I believe we did a lot more than I expected actually. I was worried about them.” Even with that, he said they had high hopes for them as a majority of the paddlers were from the 2024 Micro Cup. “They [exceeded] our expectations and we’re glad they’re still in the sport.”

In the competitive girls division, the Lady Dolphins of MHS finally splashed their way to the top of the food chain this season with a total of 159 points, after failing to clinch the title in the past two seasons. Second place was the Lady Manta Rays with a total of 102 points, while the Lady Knights of MCS were third with 89 points, and KHS settled for fourth with 43 points.

The Lady Dolphins showed off their determination and skill in the 500m finals with a first place finish at 3:31.590. SSHS was second at 3:35.720, followed by KHS at 3:36.070, and MCS was fourth at 4:00.380.

In their last race of the season, the Lady Dolphins were one with the water as they churned the water the fastest once again in the 1,000m finals with a time of 7:18.110. SSHS came in second again at 7:21.710, and MCS was third with 7:47.520. KHS was disqualified after a mishap in their third turn.

MHS’ head coach Tiana Aldan, an alumni and former paddler for the team said there was a lot of pressure in the championship race. As they failed to win the championship in the past two years, she said, “I really wanted the women to push for it.”

The difference this year,she said, was the team was a lot bigger. “Before when I was a paddler for MHS, there were a limited amount of girls, so we had no choice but to train. A majority of us were also training the full year round in community clubs. That’s the difference in outrigger is if you put in the time outside of the high school season.”

MHS team captain Monique Mendiola, who is currently a junior, added that a majority of their paddlers were from the 2024 Micro Cup team that won. “I think our past training also really helped us. We already had chemistry on the boat, so we were set basically,” she said. Aldan added that it was the same six girls that paddled in all the races this season and there were no substitutions.

Aldan then thanked “Mama Jen for coming down every single day and cooking delicious food,” the paddling federation; PSS’ athletics director Nick Gross, Lawrence Camacho, and to all the volunteers.

Dayna Macaranas, co-coach of MCS for her part said that the school is back competing because of the general interest of the students. “Some of the students reached out to us, so I said let’s make a team. I’m actually really glad they brought up the idea of having a team.”

As for the season, she said, “It was great. I’m so proud of the Knights—they did a fantastic job, considering they are all new paddlers and they only had two months of training to be exact. There were a few mishaps here and there, but it was just a matter of blending as a crew.”

She then said that they will be back next season. “We’re planning on getting another team out here for the next season. We invested in some paddles, so we’re looking forward to making this a permanent spot in the va’a association.”