Presenting the NMI teams for the 2022 Pacific Mini Games

THE NMI teams that will compete in the nine sports of the Pacific Mini Games 2022 were presented by the Northern Marianas Sports Association Tuesday in the Royal Taga Hall of Saipan World Resort.

“It was 362 days ago when we were at the countdown, and now we have three days to go,” NMSA President Jerry Tan said.

Eight years ago, former NMSA President Michael White submitted the NMI’s bid and a year later it was accepted.

Since then,  the NMI has been hit by Typhoons Souldelor, Mangkhut and Yutu which was followed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

But despite setbacks, the NMI persevered and met the challenge.

From June 17 to 25, it will host the 2022 Pacific Mini Games.

 “I want to thank Gov. Ralph DLG Torres,” Tan said on Tuesday; “without your support we would not have the games today.”

Tan said the next task for the NMI is “to take care of the new and renovated sports facilities — a lot of money was put into them, and they will be used by our youth. Go, go NMI!”

Also on Tuesday, NMSA  showcased the uniforms that Team NMI will wear when marching during the parade. The uniforms, which are sponsored by Sketchers, were designed by Pete Aldan, a local artist and teacher of Kagman High School and part of the local Va’a community.

Tan Holdings executive Willie Tan also shared a few words virtually. “The Tan family,” he said, “has always been a part of sports education. I would like to wish our team good luck. I know you’ve all been training hard. Good luck to all of you!”

In his remarks, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres told the athletes: “You represent the NMI, no one else. Ten-15 years from now, you will be in the history books of the NMI.”

He added, “Because of the things you have done, I am creating a scholarship program for all athletes going abroad or here. All I ask of you athletes is to come back here and give to the next generation. Represent the NMI and let’s wave that flag.”

The NMI Athletics Team

Casey Cassandra Cruz, Lyle Pedro Andrew, Michael Rodgers III, Theodore Cleveland Rodgers, Zarinae Sapong, Charles Henry P. Mcdonald III, Nathania Tan, Tiana Cabrera, Rex Adam Pixley, Sildrey  Veloria, Liamwar P. Rangamar, Michael Mancao, Orrin Joseph  Pharmin, Maria Maelaine Quitugua, Denise Myers, Kaithlyn Chavez, Alexander Camacho, Anthony Borja, Cheraline Epity, Dennis Borja, Kina Rangamar, Mark Mapeso, Richard Ogumoro, and Zyrus Bata. Coaches: Dr. Ron Snyder, Ronald Olopai, David Allen Shumburger, and Eptes Epity.

NMI Badminton Teams

 Women: Janelle Pangilinan, Jeanelyn Cardinio, Jenine Gail Savellano ,Michaella Serrano, Mikamaika Serrano and Windy Ann Fernandez.

Men: Andreau Galvez, Daniel Macario, Ezekiel Macario, Jordan Pangilinan, Leonard Manuel, and Nathan Guerrero.

Head Coach: James Digno

Assistant coaches: Paulo Quidato and Patricia Surima

Team manager: Merlie Tolentino.

NMI Baseball Team

Lamarc Iguel, Juan Iguel, John Peter Camacho Sablan, Shane Yamada, Anthony Tenorio, Keoni  Lizama, Darion David Jones, Joshua John Jones, Benjamin Jones Jr, Lorenzo Lee Sebaklim, Tyrone  Omar, Patrick John Alepuyo, Aldebert Delos Santos Lizama, Nokki Saralu, Diego Joaquin Camacho, Franko Nakamura, Jerald Jerome Cabrera, Dennis Cabrera, Joaquin Jacob Babauta Jr., and Byron Kaipat.

Coaches: Derron Gerard Flores, Gary Cruz, and Chris Nelson.

Manager: Manuel Cepeda Sablan Jr.

NMI Beach Volleyball Teams

Women: Charnessa Josie Skilang Lizama and Kathleen Winkfield

 Men: Andrew Scott Johnson and Logan Mister

Coach: Tyce Mister

Manager: Antonio Atalig III.

NMI Golf Teams

Women: Janet Torres, Jeong Hyun Oh, Rosalina Rohringer and Zhimin Jin

Men: Jessie Atalig, Franco Santos, Zhi Yun Li and Joshua Atalig

Coaches: Victor Salas, Ned Norita, and Yuko Togawa.

NMI Tennis Teams

Women: Asia Raulerson, Serin Chung, Hye Jin Irene Elliott and Maria Isabel Heras

Men: Colin Sinclair, Robert Hanrey Schorr, Colin Nyle Ramsey and Bobby James Cruz

Head Coach: Jeff Race 

Assistant coach: Bobby James Cruz.

NMI Triathlon Teams

Women: Robyn Michelle Spaeth, Heather Ann Brook and Kathy Ruszala

Men: Isaiah Roger Aleksenko, Leo Atalig Wania and Geuel Christian Villacrusis

Head Coach: Michael Ferris

Manager: Jefrey Diyco.

NMI Va’a Teams

Women: Danica Leya H. Calvo, Elaine Sablan, Elizabeth Rose Tenorio, Erryne  Dasalla, Gerlyn Rose Libunao, Heather Calderwood, Jenisha Jo  Dubrall, Kaya Rain Rasa, Mayiah Lorane Duenas, Rica Branielle Concepcion, Sharleen Janel Sablan, Teresa Celine Borja, Victoria Rita Aldan and Vinalynn Arisa Oronigo

Men: Benusto Jonavan Olopai, Carter Calma, James Lee, Jason Tarkong, Jose Quan, Joshua Andrew, Jovano Taitano, Ketson Kabiriel, Maverick Itibus, Michael Bernard  Fleming II, Richard Salas, Rodney Christopher  Camacho, Timothy  Asaivao and William Richard Grow 

Coach: Justin Andrew

Managers: Kaleo Hope Andrew, Elaine Kelly Cabrera and Taann Demapan-Kabua.

NMI Weightlifting Teams

Women: Pipit Ball, Riella Ann Ichiuo, Cheyanne Manuel, Antonette and Rosemarie Labausa

Men: Leonardo Apelo Jr., Emmanuel Aquino, Joey Colisao, Leowell Cristobal, Jason John Limes, Joshua Meneses, Raymond Santos, Angel San Nicolas, Joseph Lance Tudela and David Allen Barnhouse Jr.

Coaches: David Allen Barnhouse Jr. and Antonette Rosemarie Labausa.