SAIPAN won the Marianas Cup Pickleball Tournament by defeating Guam in 11 of 12 matches at American Memorial Park on Saturday.
The Saipan team consisted of Marivic Dunlop, Chelsea Henzon, Karen Klassen, Mimi Zhang, Donn Dunlop, Nicky Nichols, player/coach Nelson Krum, Roy Pangelinan, Merle Byrd, Mary Rose Alvarez, Eric Abragan, and Erin Dean.
The Guam team members were Derick Alcorn, Tomi Castillo, Albert Manansala, Aubrey Owens, William Josler, Miya Taylor, Jhun Pulongbarit, Odette Taylor, Siobohn McManus, Ayana Nakagawa, Mao Nagahashi and Nate Santos.
They played men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles with the Saipan players excelling in nearly all events.
Guam put up a fight, however, and managed to extend some of the matches, but Saipan played more consistently.
Saipan’s Donn Dunlop, Pickleball Federation of the NMI President Nelson Krum, Karen Klassen and Mimi Zhang fought nail-biting matches.
Among Guam’s preeminent players were Tomi Castillo and Albert Manansala.
“It was a great competition and a lot of fun,” Krum said. Saipan’s players play every night but as a team, they practiced for about a month, he added.
Dunlop also appreciates the tough competition. “Those guys [from Guam] are solid players,” he said. “We knew they were going to be tough. But somehow, we won. Maybe because we had homecourt” advantage.
Next year, team Saipan will defend their title on Guam.
Dunlop also believes that their constant practice paid off. “It’s been a good few months — playing 5 to 7 times a week. It gets everyone healthy and happy,” he added.
Krum said early in December, they plan to host a singles tournament with a double-elimination format.
He said the Saipan and Guam teams are also discussing the possibility of forming a Team Marianas that will compete against other teams in the Pacific.
Team Saipan members display the CNMI flag and the Marianas Cup after winning the inaugural Marianas Cup Pickleball Tournament at American Memorial Park on Saturday.
Contributed photo
Team Saipan’s Karen Klassen extends for the return alongside teammate Chelsea Henzon during the inaugural Marianas Cup Pickleball Tournament at American Memorial Park on Saturday.
