Team NMI members who will compete in the 2023 Oceania Cup pose for a photo at the Oleai Sports Complex Oval track and field.
TEAM NMI is looking forward to the tough competition that will highlight the Oceania Cup and Oceania Masters Athletics Championship, which begins today, Thursday, at the Oleai Sports Complex Oval track and field.
Team NMI is comprised of Aaron Pamintuan, Ali Saim, Lyle Andrews, Anthony Borja, Dennis Borja, Greg Borja, Tim Brasuell, Alexander Camacho, Lawrence Camacho, Kaithlyn Chavez, Rosemarie Chisato, Colleen Cing, Casey Cruz, Sly Defang, Cheraline Epity, Kelvin Fitial, Erin Frink, Jess Gariguez, Savannah Grant, Nick Gross, Tony Ichiuo, Maria Igitol, Sheila Isla, Jacoby Winkfield, James Lin, Jang Changwhan, Daniel Joab, Paul Khang, Greg Koebel, Chong Nam Lee, James Lee, Keith Longuski, Akiko Miller, Beouch Ngirchonger, Maria Ornes, Jessica Ortizo, Michah Page, Fyema Pelaez, Orrin Pharmin, Pony Tang, Leith Poole, Kina Rangamar, Lia’Mwar Rangamar, Jeanne Rayphand, Michael Rodgers, Theodore Rodgers, Kathy Ruszala, Matua San Nicolas, Angel San Nicolas, Zarinae Sapong, Chiharu Sato, Kosuke Sato, Elizabeth Sawyer, Mike Sawyer, Cody Shimizu, Sildrey Veloria, Simon Necesito, Manolo Sitchon, Andrzej Szefler, Angela Taflinger, Chad Taflinger, Simon Tang, Tania Tan, Tiana Cabrera, Kathleen Tolentino, Raymund Tolentino, Leo Wania and Kathleen Winkfield. The coaching staff are headed by Elias Rangamar and include Ronald Olopai (throws), Eptes Epity (Tinian), Ron Snyder (middle distance) and Akiko Miller (middle distance).
Tryouts were held monthly from February to May. There were qualifying standards that athletes had to meet or come close to in order to qualify. Other criteria such as attendance and potential were also considered.
The participating teams are representing Micronesia, Polynesia, and Melanesia, with the NMI and Australia as the only federations with their own teams.
NMI head coach Elias Rangamar believes that local athletes will give it their all
“I think our distance team will fare well with the likes of national record holder Tania Tan, Katelyn Chavez and other promising runners,” he said. “Our throwers should also do well with bronze medalist Dennis Borja of Tinian and Lyle Andrews leading the group.”
Rangamar said the NMI will compete in most of the events except for the women’s triple jump and hammer throw as they did not have enough coaches.
He believes that Australia “will be the favorite considering they have the resources and population. Papua New Guinea and Fiji should also be in the mix having done well in past competitions.”
The Oceania Cup and Oceania Masters Cup will be held from June 22 to 26 at the Oleai Sports Complex Oval track and field.
