By James Sablan
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Variety News Staff
TEAM NMI’s elite triathletes made a strong showing on the international stage last Saturday, delivering standout performances at the 2026 World Triathlon Oceania Development Cup in Palau, highlighted by Lily Muldoon’s first-place finish in the elite women’s division.
The event drew top endurance athletes from across the Pacific, including teams from Samoa, the Cook Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and served as a key development platform. Following a rigorous weeklong camp led by professional coaches, competitors took part in a sprint-distance race consisting of a 750-meter swim, a 20-kilometer bike ride, and a 5-kilometer run.
Representing the NMI were Lily Muldoon, Michael Denevan, and Jody O’Sullivan.
Muldoon led the NMI contingent, securing a commanding victory in the elite women’s division with a time of 1:13:24. Fresh off a personal record at the NMI Sprint Triathlon on March 14, she said the transition to international competition felt natural.
“Competing in Palau felt surprisingly familiar in the best way,” Muldoon said. “Training in Saipan prepared me well with similar conditions — warm water and rolling hills. The water in Palau was incredibly clear, with coral and fish visible below, which was beautiful but also a little distracting at times.”
Beyond race day, Muldoon credited the weeklong development camp for refining her approach.
“The swim work was the biggest takeaway,” she said. “We spent several days in the pool with coaches filming our strokes. It changed how I think about my technique. I’m still working on applying those changes, but it already feels impactful.”
She added that the team learned about the pillars of peak performance — physical, psychological, tactical, and technical — which she has begun incorporating into her training.
In the elite men’s division, Denevan and O’Sullivan also turned in strong performances, finishing fourth and sixth with times of 1:15:33 and 1:16:27, respectively.
Reflecting on the race, Denevan pointed to tactical challenges.
“My swim time was not good, which hurt me on the bike segment as I wasn’t able to draft with another strong rider,” he said. “I learned that it’s not just physical training, but also psychological preparation and race strategy that ensure I’m ready when the start whistle blows.”
O’Sullivan, who recorded the fastest run among the NMI men, praised the team’s overall effort.
“I think, as a team, we performed really well. Lily absolutely crushed it,” he said.
He also highlighted the support from the host community.
“The most incredible part was the people — the coaches, officials, volunteers, and the locals in Palau who cheered or gave a thumbs-up as we cycled by. It was an incredible experience, and I’m thankful to the Triathlon Association of the CNMI for the opportunity to represent the island,” he added.
Beyond competition, the event fostered regional unity. Denevan said the phrase “one ocean, one family” resonated throughout the week and was reflected in the camaraderie among teams.
The experience provided a confidence boost for Team NMI as it looks ahead to future competitions, including the Olympic-distance triathlon scheduled for April 12 in Saipan.
“This experience gave me confidence and showed me where I can keep improving,” Muldoon said. “It reinforced the importance of being intentional with training. I’m excited to carry that forward into whatever race comes next.”
For more information on upcoming events and to follow Team NMI athletes, visit the Triathlon Association of the CNMI’s official Facebook page.
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.
