The NMI National Tennis Team players and officials pose for a group photo after sweeping the gold medals in the tennis competition in the 2024 Micronesian Games in the Marshall Islands.
(Northern Marianas Sports Association) — Team Marianas tennis players and wrestlers stood out in their respective competitions in the 2024 Micronesian Games in the Marshall Islands over the weekend.
After dominating the team event, NMI players completed the sweep in tennis following its triumph in the individual events on Sunday. Isabel Heras and Robbie Schorr topped the women’s and men’s singles divisions, respectively, and then teamed up for the gold medal win in the mixed doubles. Schorr made it three in a row and fourth overall, following his and Colin Ramsey’s gold medal win in the men’s doubles. Heras duplicated Schorr’s feat, as she got her third gold medal in the individual event when she partnered with Hoo Wang and won the women’s doubles.
The NMI’s James Attao-Greene Jr., left, seizes up his opponent from the Marshall Islands, while fellow NMI wrestler Ryan Babauta looks on.
Wang and Heras claimed the gold medal in the women’s doubles after outclassing Pohnpei’s Leilah Etschait and Louisa Williams, 1-4, 5-3, 10-7. In the mixed doubles, Heras and Schorr downed Etschait and Tayshawn Erwin 5-4, 5-4. In the men’s doubles, Schorr and Ramsey won the finals over TJ Rush Apis and Erwin (walkover). In the men’s singles finals, Schorr was ahead, 2-0, and got the win when Apis retired. In the women’s singles finale, Heras crushed Etschait, 4-0, 4-0.
Beach volleyball player Kathy Winkfield is greeted by her children Sunday in the arrival area of the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport.
On top of sweeping the gold medals in the individual and team events, NMI added two bronzes to its total with Wang and Ramsey winning their third place match over Pohnpei’s Anne Skilling and Jones Neth George, and Irin Chung prevailing in the women’s singles bronze medal match versus Pohnpei’s Movida Setchugo Jerry, 4-2, 4-1.
The NMI Women’s Fastpitch Softball players and coaches pose with their bronze medals.
In wrestling, Ryan Babauta notched gold medals in the 97kg freestyle and Greco-Roman events, while James Attao-Greene Jr. also had a pair in the 79kg class in the same categories.
Team Marianas keeps lead in medal tally
With its 10 gold medals won Saturday and Sunday, Team Marianas still leads the overall medal standings (unofficially), going into the last competition (beach wrestling) today, Monday. Team Marianas has won 68 gold medals, 23 silvers, and 29 bronzes for a total of 120 medals.
Besides seeing action in wrestling and tennis events over the weekend, NMI delegates also competed in athletics, softball, and basketball. Tania Tan got her third gold in the 2024 Micro Games when she ruled the 10K race last Saturday, while her fellow Northern Marianas Athletics representatives — Cody Shimizu and Maria Quitugua — earned a silver and bronze in the 400m hurdles and triple jump, respectively.
In basketball, the NMI Women’s National Team walloped Chuuk in the playoff game last Saturday, 67-54, to reach the gold medal match against Guam. The NMI went on to settle for the silver medal as Guam prevailed in the finals last night, 80-37.
In softball, the NMI Women’s Fast-Pitch Team battled Pohnpei in the semis and lost a tough match, 8-9, to claim the bronze medal.
The NMI Women’s National Basketball Team players and coaches receive their silver medal.
Swim, weightlifting, and beach v-ball teams back home
Team Marianas’ swim, weightlifting, and beach volleyball squads returned home Sunday morning after contributing to the NMI’s medal rush in the Marshall Islands.
They were greeted warmly by family members and supporters in the arrival area of the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport. NMI swimmers came home with 49 gold medals, 15 silvers, and 14 bronzes; weightlifters had 3 golds, 5 silvers, and 4 bronzes; and beach volleyball players bagged a pair of bronze medals.
