Top photo shows CNMI swimmers training at the St. John’s Academy pool in Guam on Thursday afternoon. They will head to the Marshall Islands on Friday morning. Bottom photo shows CNMI players participating in practice sessions in one of the two tennis facilities in Majuro in preparation for the 2024 Micronesian Games.
(Northern Marianas Sports Association) — Team Marianas’s wrestling, tennis, and beach volleyball teams are now in the Marshall Islands for the 2024 Micronesian Games, which will kick off Saturday with an opening ceremony at the Majuro Track & Field stadium.
Team Marianas Chef De Mission Valerie Hofschneider said the first batch of CNMI delegates to the Micro Games arrived late Wednesday night and proceeded to the Athletes Villages to settle in.
On Thursday morning, tennis coach Jeff Race and team manager John Bradley visited the NCD and USP tennis courts where they were joined by athletes Hannah Chae, Hoo Wang, Irin Chung, Colin Ramsey, and Si Woo Lee in the afternoon for some practice sessions. CNMI players will have a lot of time to practice, as their competitions will not start until June 20. Robbie Schorr and Isabel Heras complete the tennis team and will join the group on June 17.
Beach volleyball’s Kathy Winkfield and Jermaine Salas also had their first day on the sand court Thursday and had a scrimmage with Palau players. The other members of the squad — Dylan Mister and Aurora Santos — arrived late Thursday morning via Hawaii. The CNMI beach volleyball players will be the first athletes to see action as their games will start this Saturday.
Five weightlifters — CNMI flag bearer Antonette Labausa, Riella Ichiuo, Kaya Rasa, Jaden Andrew, and Lucio Eugenio — were part of the Marianas delegation as well as their coach, John Davis. Joseph Pangelinan was scheduled to join the team on Thursday evening after leaving Saipan in morning while Leowell Cristobal was scheduled to arrive in Majuro from Japan this Friday evening. The weightlifting competition will be held on June 17 and 18 at the International Convention Center.
Team Marianas’ weightlifting, tennis, and beach volleyball teams will be joined in the opening ceremony by the CNMI National Women’s Softball Team, which left Saipan on Thursday morning. The CNMI National Swimming Team also left Saipan Thursday morning but will not be able to participate in the opening ceremony in Majuro, as the swim competition will take place in Kwajalein from June 17 to 21.
“Our athletes are settling in and are looking forward to the opening ceremony,” Hofschneider said. “This weekend, we are excited to welcome the teams from other sports (athletics and basketball) and by early next week, we will have the complete CNMI delegation. Our athletes and officials are deeply grateful for the opportunity to represent the CNMI in the Micronesian Games and thank all the organizations and individuals that have supported our Team Marianas.”
Team Marianas’s sponsors are Joeten Daidai Foundation, Mariana Express Lines Pte. Ltd, Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation, Skechers, Triple J Enterprise, E-Land Group, D&Q, TakeCare Insurance, IT&E, Bank of Guam, Black Construction Corporation, Dial-Rent-To-Own, RNV Constructions, GPPC/Apex Builders, Matson, Chinese Association of Saipan, Y.K. Corporation, LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort, Jose & Ruri Ayuyu Foundation/McDonald’s, P&A Corporation, Artman Corporation, Zoom Café, and I Love Saipan.
