(NMSA) — The Northern Marianas Sports Association announces the Athletes/Team of the Month for April 2021.
Awardees are eligible to be named Athletes/Team of the Year and will be recognized at the annual NMSA Awards Banquet.
April was highlighted by the ongoing Northern Mariana Islands Football Association Dove Women’s Soccer League, the CNMI Public School System Elementary Interscholastic Soccer League, the Saipan Unity Lions Club Bike Race, the Rollers Basketball Association 2021 Spring Madness League and the Northern Marianas National Paddle Sports Federation Season Opener.
Awardees for April include:
Female Student Athlete of the Month
Jerlyn Castillo – Soccer
Jerlyn is one of the leading scorers in Division A of the NMIFA Dove Women’s Soccer League. She scored 9 goals in 7 matches at the end of April, averaging at least a goal per match played. This is not surprising considering that she had been a mainstay in several girls’ and women’s NMI national teams that played in international competitions. She will always be remembered the MVP in the October 7, 2018
Marianas Cup where the NMI U19 Women’s National Team defeated Guam on Saipan at the Northern Mariana Islands Soccer Training Center. The 18-yr-old Jerlyn just completed her senior year at Marianas High School and is currently working at Eucon Medical while waiting for her high school graduation.
Male Student Athlete of the Month
Jose Maratita – Soccer
Jose Maratita, a 10-year-old and 5th grader at Koblerville Elementary School, was the best player of the school’s team that won the championship of the CNMI Public School System Elementary Interscholastic Soccer League that ended on April 22, 2021. Jose was very dominant throughout the league and was the Golden Boot winner. He scored a total of 17 goals, including 3 goals in the championship match against Saipan Community School. Jose is now training regularly with the Southern United Football Club and the NMIFA looks forward to his continued development in the sport.
Female Athlete of the Month
Jully Rose Felipe – Cycling
The 39-year-old Jully Rose Felipe started biking at the age of 9. The pandemic drove Felipe to start biking to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Felipe was the Over-All Female winner of the 40KM Saipan Unity Lions Club Bike Race held on April 25, 2021. Ms. Felipe was also the winner of the Pika Fest 65KM Road Race held in Tinian in February this year.
Male Athlete of the Month
Matthew Roderick Richardson – Basketball
As one of the leaders for the NMI Rollers Basketball 19U Black Team, Matthew Richardson displayed excellent teamwork and leadership skills in his on-court performances. Matt excelled particularly in the Finals of the 19U division. He had 11 points, 12 assists, 16 rebounds, and 4 steals, a triple double, to claim the Finals Most Valuable Player award. A result of his love for the game, Matthew has always displayed outstanding sportsmanship and is truly a team player. Matthew is currently a student at the Northern Marianas College and just recently established his own clothing brand called “WAVE.”
Team of the Month
Napu Outrigger Canoe Club Women’s Team – Paddling
The Napu Outrigger Canoe Club Women’s team, comprised of Jenisha Dubrall, Maiyah Duenas, Momoko Halstead, Heather Calderwood, Kaya Rasa, Kiara Kaipat, Nadja Norita, Clarissa Tagabuel, Danika Tagabuel, Megan Barnes, Wallis Kaipat, and Alisa Gathamgeg, has been working hard in the past few months to improve their paddling technique, physical conditioning, and mental strength to earn a seat on the canoe and complete in the 2021 Northern Marianas National Paddle Sports Federation season opener. As a result of their hard work, the team swept the competition in the 500M and 1000M sprints on April 24 as well as the long-distance race on April 25. The team’s dedication and work ethic are second to none.
Jerlyn Castillo
Jose Maratita
Jully Rose Felipe
Matthew Richardson
Women’s Napu Outrigger Canoe
