Paddling season wraps up

Matapang Beach in Tumon was lined with hundreds of paddlers and fans as the 2009 Independent Interscholastic Athletic Association of Guam/Guam Kayak and Canoe Federation Kareran Galaide Series held its championship races to end another successful season.

Despite some challenging conditions dealt by Mother Nature, competition proceeded as planned with preliminaries held for each race. The top team from each heat advanced to the finals while others battled it out in the semifinals for the final spots.

In one of the highly anticipated races of the day, the Father Duenas Friars, Guam High Panthers, John F. Kennedy Islanders and Southern High Dolphins gave fans every reason to be excited as they battled it out for the Sotteru Boys' 1,000-meter championship.

The Dolphins ultimately prevailed.

"It was a very intense race and I think both Southern and JFK gave it their all. Both teams put out 110 percent because this is what we worked all year for," said JFK's Joab Skilling.

The Dolphins had a speedy and smooth takeoff to claim the early lead. Going into the first of three turns, JFK made up some ground and kept it close. With some excellent teamwork, Southern High built about a boat-length lead with half the distance left.

With only the home stretch to go, all four teams suddenly were within 10 meters of each other. The Dolphins and Islanders went into a one-on-one battle with about 40 meters to go, but Southern High pulled out the victory by less than a second.

Southern High finished with a time of 5 minutes and 45.61 seconds, while JFK finished in 5:45.97. Guam High (5:59.44) took third and the Friars (6:05.04) finished fourth.

"It took total teamwork and effort for us to finish strong," Southern High's Frankie Susuico said. "We paddled with a lot of heart, especially at the end. JFK did great as well."

Several disqualifications during preliminary heats made things easier for four schools in the Sottera Girls' 1,000 finals as the semifinals weren't necessary. After Southern High, the George Washington Geckos and the Notre Dame Royals were eliminated, the stage was set for the Simon Sanchez Sharks, Islanders, St. Paul Christian Warriors and Panthers.

The Islanders (6:36.72) claimed the championship in this race after taking the lead and never looking back despite strong paddling from the Warriors (6:53.84) and Sharks (6:55.90). Sanchez had some difficulties on its second turn, allowing the Warriors to eventually finish second. The Sharks finished third while the Panthers (6:58.97) claimed fourth.

Other championship race results in order of finish: