Go get ‘em Team Marianas!

THE Northern Marianas Sports Association on Monday hosted a send-off ceremony at the Ada gym for the CNMI athletes competing in the 2024 Micronesian Games, which will be held on June 15-24 in Majuro, the Marshall Islands.

In his remarks, NMSA President Jerry Tan said he was happy to see local athletes competing once again in off-island events, which also help promote sports tourism.

Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, for his part, expressed his appreciation to the athletes and organizations behind the CNMI’s participation in the Micro Games.

“Thank you for working so hard. You put together our teams to go off island and show what we have. We have a lot of athletes that can compete anywhere in the world,” he said. “Gov. Arnold Palacios and I are proud of you for bringing the CNMI to new heights. We want you to fly the CNMI flag high in the air. Biba Team Marianas!”

Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, House Speaker Edmund Villagomez, and Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho also commended and thanked the athletes for representing the CNMI, as well as their sponsors and NMSA for “bringing it all together.”

After the speeches, the members of the CNMI delegation — its 110 athletes, coaches and officials from eight different sports —  were introduced, along with Chef de Mission Valerie Hofschneider and Deputy Chef de Mission James Lee.

Athletics (21 delegates)

Female athletes

1) Nathania Chung Yee Tan

2) Zarinae Jones Sapong

3) Li’amwar Elloise Pua Rangamar

4) Maria Maelaine Igitol Quitugua

5) Cheraline Derena Pascua Epity

6) Casey Cassandra Castro Cruz

7) Kina Neisuupi Pua Rangamar

Male athletes

1) Takeru William Jim

2) Daniel Taisakan Joab

3) Alexander Go Yamaguchi Camacho

4) Bwilitomwar Elia Dereck Pua Rangamar

5) Christopher Ian Cabuang Cruz Jr.

6) Jared John Iglecias Ayuyu

7) Lyle Pedro Andrew

8) Pony Kaile Tang

9) Simon Daniel Tang

10) Theodore Cleveland Rodgers

11) Justin Vaughn Rabwul Igitol Camacho

12) Cody Soriano Shimizu

13) Douglas Ray Schmidt Jr.

Coaches & Officials

1) Robin Sapong Eugenio

2) Ronald Bolger Olopai

3) Elias Malite Rangamar

4) Li’amwar Elloise Pua Rangamar

Basketball (27 Delegates)

Female Athletes

1) Sylvina Marsiline Selepeo Simram

2) Yasmeen Zahara Torres Younis

3) Kaia De Jesus Travilla

4) Michelle Marie Legaspi Kautz

5) Li’amwar Elloise Pua Rangamar

6) Destiny Jade Cabrera Pangelinan

7) Madeleine Saldivar Alegre

8) Azriel Fiatafuna Fatialofa

9) Lalaine Valles Pagarao

10) Cassandra Denise Odoshi Camacho,

11) Alliyah Faye Apone Fernandez

Male Athletes

1) Lucio Keikoa Santos Aldan

2) Airson Ber Atan

3) Aiferson Ber Atan

4) Douglas Ray Schmidt Jr.

5) Preston Obichang Basa

6) Yuyacoby Seike Santos

7) Chioni Maui Dela Cruz

8) Gregory Manuel Dela Rosa Sablan Jr.

9) Marvin Elias Olopai Rabauliman

10) Djaymarch Dela Paz Ong

11) Joaquin Rogolifoi Lizama Jr.

12) Antoni Kade Aguon Ogumoro

Coaches & Officials

1) Concepcion Clara Camacho,

2) Elias Rangamar

3) James Lee

4) Rufino Aguon

5) Carlos Aguon,

Beach Volleyball (4 Delegates)

Female Athletes

1) Aurora Santos

2) Kathleen Winkfield

Male Athletes

1) Dylan Michael Mister

2) Jermaine Junior Agulto Salas

Fastpitch Softball (19 Delegates)

Female Athletes

1) Ashlie Mae Aldan Aguon

2) Christy Joy Aldan

3) Jaylina Selena Borja

4) Kiara Jaydeen Camacho Borja

5) Angel Toya Magofna Deleon Guerrero

6) Rayna Frances Agulto Deleon Guerrero

7) Jenisha Jo Torres Dubrall

8) Mayiah Lorane Finuliar Duenas

9) Britney Lyn Palacios Gopez

10) Destiny Jade Cabrera Pangelinan

11) Alannah Mae Carreon Sablan

12) Rosie Jean Lizama Saralu

13) Kiana Shyanne Villagomez Aldan

14) Jhaneeka Jewruelle Taitano Atalig

15) Kiana Cabrera Camacho

16) Keolani Rios

Coaches & Officials

1) Mark William Atalig Flores

2) Manuel Cepeda Sablan Jr.

3) Mariano Abad Aguon

4) Derron Gerard Flores

Swimming (17 Delegates)

Female Athletes

1) Sari Naminoue Barman

2) Maria Corazon Ayson Batallones

3) Maria Yamaguchi Guerrero

4) Shoko Litulumar

5) Frances Rodelia Raho

6) Nagi Maria Takahashi Tenorio

Male Athletes

1) Isaiah Roger Aleksenko

2) Justin Yao Ma

3) Michael Kiyotaka Hagiwara Miller

4) Kean James Sy Pajarillaga

5) Kouki Cerezo Watanabe

6) Richard Zhao

Coaches & Officials

1) John Ira Hirsh

2) Hiroyuki Kimura

3) Yuko Kimura

4) Dirk Hendrik Sikkel

5) David Dominic Boyer Roberto Jr.

Tennis (9 Delegates)

Female Athletes

1) Hannah Seolah Chae

2) Maria Isabel Gvan Heras

3) Hoo Wang

4) Irin Chung

Male Athletes

1) Colin Nyle Ramsey

2) Robert Hanrey Schorr

3) Siwoo Lee

Coaches & Officials

1) John Martin Bradley

2) Jeffrey Race,

Weightlifting (8 Delegates)

Female Athletes

1) Riella Ann Billy Ichiuo

2) Antonette Rosemarie Tudela Labausa

3) Kaya Rain Seman Rasa

Male Athletes

1) Jaden Pedro Andrew

2) Leowell Ladringan Cristobal

3) Lucio Manglona Eugenio

4) Joseph Ito Kirby Pangelinan

Coach

1) John Henry Davis Jr.

Wrestling (4 Delegates)

Male Athletes

1) Ryan Justice Tochi Babauta.

2) James Brian Attao Greene Jr.

Coach & Official

1) Richard James Bauer

2) Jason Takami Tarkong,

Up for the challenge

Among the eight sports, wrestling is the one coming off a very long hiatus.

“We had some time off, but I think these guys are up for the challenge,” said NMI wrestling coach Rick Bauer.

 “James is coming off his latest season, so he’s been training consistently on the mat,” he added. “We’re looking for good things from him across all three styles such as freestyle, Greco-Roman and the beach style, which is going to be new for him, but with his experience, I’m confident he will be able to transition well…so we’re looking at big things for him.”

Bauer also praised Ryan Babauta. “This is not new for him. He medaled back in the ’06 Games so he’s been on the stage before. He’s been knocking the rust off. We’ve been concentrating on freestyle and beach styles but he’s also going to be a force to be reckoned with in the Greco-Roman scene as well. I think we’re going to represent well.”

Aiden Attao was supposed to join  the team, but he had to back out because he made it to the USA Senior Greco Team, Bauer said.

Another NMI athlete that had to pull out was Frank Camacho. “He has medical conditions and family reasons. We hope and wish the best for him and his family,” Bauer said.

NMI weightlifting coach John Davis also has high hopes for his team. “I like our chances. We will bring home some medals —  maybe not as many as in the past.”

Two weightlifters — Jaden Pedro Andrew and Lucio Manglona Eugenio — are the youngest competitors at the age of 14.

Sponsors

The following are the sponsors of Team Marianas:

Platinum

Joeten Daidai Foundation, Mariana Express Lines Pte. Ltd, Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation, Skechers

Gold

Triple J Motors, E-Land Group, D&Q, TakeCare Insurance

Silver

IT&E, Bank of Guam, Black Construction Corporation, Dial-Rent-To-Own, RNV Construction, GPPC/Apex Builders, Matson, Chinese Association of Saipan

Bronze

Y.K. Corporation, LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort, Jose & Ruri Ayuyu Foundation/McDonald’s, P&A Corporation, Zoom Café, Artman, and I Love Saipan.

The sponsors’ commitment totaled $179,000, including the pending $20,000 that the SNILD allocated for Team Marianas.