Mandell led all individuals at the Micronesian Games with four gold medals

SAIPAN, Northern Marianas -- University of Portland runner Derek Mandell capped a dominating performance at the 2006 Micronesian games by claiming four gold medals over a rigorous five-day schedule. Mandell, running for his native Guam, won the gold in the 10,000-meter, 5,000-meter, 1,500-meter and 800-meter runs.

The Games, held every four years, are the Micronesian region’s premier international sporting event. Athletes, coaches, and officials from Palau, Guam, the four states of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Nauru, as well as the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, partake in the games, which run from June 23-July 2.

Mandell, who will be a redshirt sophomore for the Pilots cross country squad this fall, won the 10,000 with a time of 35:47.58, ahead of the second-place finisher by 39 seconds. More impressive is the fact that Mandell had completed his 800m semifinal heat less than 20 minutes prior to the start of the 10,000.

After one day of rest, Mandell took gold in the 5,000 with a time of 16:52.85. The next day he earned his third gold medal with a time of 2:03 in the 800, two seconds better than the silver medalist.

Mandell capped the week the following day with a new Micronesian Games record in the 1,500-meter run. He posted a 4:11.92, beating the previous mark by nearly two seconds and winning the race by fifteen seconds (nearly 100 meters).

His four gold medals topped all individuals at the Micronesian Games.

"Derek has worked non stop for the last two years and has really improved," Portland men’s cross country/track and field head coach Rob Conner said. "To dominate the Micronesian Games like he did is a huge accomplishment. Winning everything from the 800 to the 10,000 is remarkable. We at the University of Portland are just as proud of him as they are in Guam."