Palauan runners take second, third as Palau hosts first API Championships

By: Summer Kennard KOROR, Palau — “I’m proud of being able to make it to top 3, but I know I’m more capable compared to the performance I had,” Palauan runner Kraven Ngirchomlei said after finishing second in the boys’ 5-kilometer race at the Asia Pacific Invitational (API) Cross Country Championships, marking the first time Palau has hosted the regional competition. Ngirchomlei, a senior at Palau High School, clocked 18 minutes, 29. 56 seconds in the race held Oct. 23-24. Garrett Welge of Belau All Island finished third in 18:56. 54, while Jan Tibigar of the JFK Islanders from Guam won in 18:15. 01. The two-day championships brought together 124 runners for boys’ and girls’ 5-kilometer races and a 2-by-1-mile relay. Visiting teams included the JFK Islanders and Guam Adventist Academy, both from Guam.

Ngirchomlei said he was pleased to finish among the top three but believed he could have achieved a better time and result. He said he started the race conservatively, following a pacing strategy that caused him to hold back too much energy. That approach left him unable to close the gap with the runner ahead of him. “I’m glad it happened now that I’ve learned from it, so I wouldn’t make the mistake again,” he said. Having competed in other locations, Ngirchomlei said the API race was less challenging than some of his previous competitions. He also appreciated the opportunity to compete against runners whose abilities were closer to his own. As he prepares to graduate from high school, Ngirchomlei said he plans to continue running and hopes to represent Palau on the national team. “I definitely see my future self competing in the sport of running and plan on continuing to race for our national team,” he said. Welge, also a high school senior, said he gave the race his best…