(Stars and Stripes)

UPPER TUMON, Guam – Call Guam High’s Panthers the kings and queens of Pacific cross country courses.

For the second straight year, the Panthers swept both the Far East Division I and Asia-Pacific Invitational team titles, claiming the latter Friday and Saturday at John F. Kennedy High School’s Ramsey Field and Ypao Beach in Tumon.

“It’s been a challenging and productive year,” longtime Guam High coach Joe Taitano said.

His Panthers, led by senior Caleb Steele and junior Eldon Egbert on the boys side, and freshman Ava Steele, sophomore Naomi Spuler and junior Taliana Longoria on the girls, won the DODEA-Pacific Far East school title last weekend at Ikego Heights Naval Housing Facility in Japan.

It’s the second straight year the Panthers have accomplished the double feat. They did so last October when the Far East and API meets were held concurrently at the Risol no Mori training facility in Chiba, Japan.

“I’m totally satisfied that my runners stayed motivated at a high level for three weeks through a strong sense of purpose, consistent encouragement and a shared commitment to excellence,” Taitano said.