By James Sablan
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
IN a night marked by reflection, record-breaking achievements, and celebration, the 2025 Northern Marianas Sports Association Awards Banquet, sponsored by the Tan Siu Lin Foundation, was held at Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan to honor the induction of John Davis into the CNMI Sports Hall of Fame.
Davis has been a cornerstone of sports development in the CNMI since arriving in 1986. A versatile leader who has served as an athlete, coach, technical official, officer, and director across various sports federations, Davis is widely credited with building CNMI Weightlifting from the ground up.
Under his guidance, the program has grown into a regional powerhouse, securing 78 medals since 2014 across the Micronesian Games, Pacific Mini Games, and Pacific Games representing Team Marianas.
Beyond regional competition, Davis has mentored athletes who have competed and excelled at the Oceania Weightlifting Championships and the International Weightlifting Federation World Championships. His vision, technical expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence have helped establish CNMI Weightlifting as a respected and competitive program on the international stage.
Although Davis was unable to attend the ceremony, CNMI Weightlifting board member Jacinta Kapileo accepted the Hall of Fame induction on his behalf.
The ceremony also recognized 49 inductees spanning generations and disciplines, from pioneers in baseball and basketball to standouts in athletics, volleyball, swimming, golf, tennis, softball, and more.
Among those honored were Antonio Rogolifoi (basketball), Jeanne and Bill Sakovich (swimming), Mike Villagomez (swimming), Antonio Satur (softball), Irene Alpet (tennis), Kurt Barnes (athletics), Francisco Palacios (baseball), Cecilia Lisua (athletics and volleyball), Jose Tenorio Sablan (softball), Ricardo Duenas (volleyball), Antonio Benavente (baseball), Jess Wabol (golf), Jeff Race (tennis), Francisco Castro (golf), Tino Olopai (basketball), Vicente Saures (volleyball), Reno Celis (baseball), Maggie Olopai-Taitano (softball), Melvin Sakisat (softball), Bertha Chong Tudela (volleyball), Michael White (basketball), Antonio Ichiou (athletics), Greg Camacho (baseball), Manny Sablan (baseball), Frank Sonny Flores (basketball), Max Pangelinan (softball), Tony Camacho (baseball), Emiliana Quitugua (athletics), Peter Camacho (basketball), Elias Rangamar (basketball), Jonathan Sakovich (swimming), Joyce Taro (softball), Lourdes Rangamar (athletics), Connie Camacho (basketball), Xenavee Torwal (swimming), Jerry Ayuyu (basketball), Chris Nelson (baseball), Rufino Aguon (basketball), Louie Wabol (athletics), Bob Coldeen (baseball), Keith Nabors (basketball), Jester Garcia (baseball), Erminia Pua (softball), Joseph Diaz (basketball), Ketson Kabriel (athletics, triathlon, and va’a), Noriko Jim (athletics), Jerry Tan (NMSA administrator), and Jeffrey Taylor (golf).
Administrator of the Year
The swimming community also had reason to celebrate as John Hirsh, president of the NMI Swimming Federation, was named Administrator of the Year.
With more than two decades of service, Hirsh’s “athletes first” philosophy has propelled NMI swimming onto the international stage. Through strengthened governance, expanded international partnerships, and sustained advocacy for athlete development, NMI swimmers have delivered record-breaking performances at the Pacific Mini Games (34 national records and 14 medals), the World Championships (four national records), the World Junior Championships (two age-group records), and the NSW Senior State Championships (eight national records and one age-group record).
Behind the scenes, Hirsh has also helped secure increased funding and greater representation for the region at the Oceania level, creating expanded opportunities and a promising future for NMI swimming.
“I could not do what I have done for NMI aquatics without the support of our member clubs and the amazing efforts of all our swimmers — they really made it all happen,” said Hirsh upon receiving the award. “Anything I can do in the leadership of our NMI Swimming Federation to make it possible for them is what it is all about for us; it is all about our athletes,” he added.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
