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Pumpkin Fun Run gives participants new look at track and field

The first ever Pumpkin Fun Run and Track Meet that took place this past Monday at the Veterans Memorial Stadium was a success according to the head of the local Ohana Running Club Clayton ‘Boom’ Mahuka. This free event was sponsored by American Samoa Athletics and partnered with volunteers and the Ohana Running Club, that saw close to 50 young people up to the age of 18 try their hand at the sport of track and field.

“We had a lot more kids than expected participating. Over half of the kids were in the twelve and under events, with the rest in the 18 and under,” said Mahuka.

“We had a great turnout and the meet was a great success. There was great camaraderie between the kids from different villages throughout the competition. This was a great chance for them to get exposure and experience about how a real track meet is done”.

There were officials and timers that included Deanna Fuimaono, parents, supporters and assistance from the Fagatogo Running Club, Hamina Mauga and Fua Tupua from the Ohana Running Club as well as Valusia Talataina from the Western District Running Club, according to Mahuka.

“Our goal is to try for more meets like this in order to train our local athletes to meet qualification standards for regional and other competitions. I would like to thank everyone that helped to make this meet a success,” he said.

The runners who spoke to Samoa News said they gained a positive experience with the meet, with one runner saying, “After this meet, I am determined to train even harder at practice. At practice we go over fundamentals, but it is different when you are in one race after another and up against some fast kids”.

Another said, “I hope I can compete representing American Samoa someday. My goal is the 2016 Olympic Games”.

Mahuka stated that due to the large amount of participants, there was not enough time for the field events (shot put and discus throw) which will be saved for the next meet which he hopes to host in a couple of months.

Here are the results from the events:

Female:

50 yard dash: 8 and under

Name            Time

Chloe            9.5

June            9.84

Bernie            10.1

50 yard dash: 12 & under

Name            Time

Leata            7.48

Deidra            7.6

Bernie            7.8

50 yard dash: 19 & under

Name            Time

Deborah            6.65

Casidhe            7.1

Dannielle            7.2

100 meter: 8 & under

Name            Time

Chloe            21.5

Joyce            21.72

Julia            23.04

100 meter: 12 & under

Name            Time

Leata            15.9

Taulia            16.09

Mandy            16.1

100 meter: 19 & under

Name            Time

Deborah            14.34

Casidhe            15.5

Dannielle            15.84

200 meter: 19 & under

Name            Time

Casidhe            32.89

Dannielle            33.5

Taulia            34.06

800 meter 19 & under

Name            Time

Casidhe            3.13.41

Male:

50 yard dash: 8 & under

Name            Time

Jonah            8.23

Anthony            8.81

Neville            9.12

50 yard dash: 12 & under

Name            Time

Niles            6.94

Derrek            7.13

Champ            7.67

50 yard dash: 19 & under

Name            Time

Scheyenne            6.25

Johnson            6.29

Ropati            6.31

100 meter: 8 & under

Name            Time

Jonah            18.69

Neville            19.4

Anthony            19.97

100 meter: 12 & under

Name            Time

Niles            14.94

Derrek            16.06

Anthony            16.4

100 meter: 19 & under

Name            Time

Scheyenne            12.81

Ropati            13.28

Michael            13.53

200 meter: 19 & under

Name            Time

Scheyenne            27.12

Ikaika            28.34

Korrea            29.84

Johnson            31.7

Alexis            35.47

Darryl            36.97

800 meter: 19 & under

Ikaika            3.10.02

Ricardo            3.17.44

Rhoderick            3.19.94