(NMSA) — The Northern Marianas Sports Association announces the Athletes/Team of the Month for May highlighting excellence among three athletes and a team across four sports during the month.
Awardees are eligible to be named Athletes/Team of the Year and will be recognized at the annual NMSA awards banquet.
May was highlighted by the Public School System/McDonald’s All Schools Athletics Championships, the Division of Youth Services/Typhoon Sports 3v3 Basketball Tournament, the Paupau Taga Triathlon, and the Northern Marianas National Paddle Sports Federation Sprint Competition.
The awardees for May:
Female Student
Athlete of the Month
Casey C. Cruz
Athletics
During the recent PSS/McDonald’s All Schools Athletics Championships, Casey C. Cruz performed outstandingly as a freshman by winning all three sprints — 100m at 13.50 seconds, 200m at 28.90 seconds and 400m at 1:09.95 minutes. Casey is part of the Northern Marianas Athletics Under 18 development squad. During training and competition, she displays true sportsmanship towards her fellow competitors, teammates, coaches and officials.
Male Student
Athlete of the Month
Sir-Lashu Dela Cruz
Basketball
Sir-Lashu Dela Cruz is a well-rounded, passionate and determined point guard from the Typhoon Sports Association in Tinian. He played for Team Natural in the May 2021 Division of Youth Services/Typhoon Sports 3v3 Basketball Tournament and had a huge role in their championship win. He averaged double figures in points and rebounds, earning him the Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer awards in the U20 division. He not only displays great teamwork and sportsmanship; he helps build team spirit and boost team performance. Sir-Lashu will be a senior at Tinian High School in the Fall, plans to continue playing basketball and join future tournaments.
Male Athlete of the Month
Florence Antonio
Triathlon
Florence won the 60 and above age group division of the recently concluded Paupau Taga Triathlon. Despite an extended leave of absence from sports due to health concerns, Florence was able to outpace his younger rivals. Florence has bounced back from setbacks and is back onto the triathlon and multi-sport race scene. He is an active member of numerous community organizations.
Team of the month
Marianas Outrigger Club
Paddling
Marianas Outrigger Club’s team culture has always been based around hard work, perseverance, and sportsmanship. The team did not compete for three years due to lack of funding, unavailability of races to compete in and the pandemic. Nonetheless, the MOC continued to train at the crack of dawn three times each week. On May 29th, the training paid off with MOC sweeping the Northern Marianas National Paddle Sports Federation Sprint Competition winning all four events of the day, including two 500m races and two 1,500m races.
Casey C. Cruz
Sir-Lashu Dela Cruz
Florence Antonio
Marianas Outrigger Club
