Athletics team heads Down Under for Oceania Champs

The Saipan-based athletics team representing the CNMI at the 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin from May 18-23 departed yesterday morning, Thursday, May 14. The team included Maria Quitugua, siblings Landen and Addalee Taflinger, and team manager Lia Rangamar.

The rest of the team—Tania Tan, Simon Tang, and Theodore Rodgers—will fly in separately.

Tan will compete in the 5,000m, while fellow medalist and national record holder Quitugua will compete in the javelin throw. Collegiate athlete Rodgers will compete in the 200m, while Tang will run the 400m hurdles. The Taflingers, who are making their debut for the CNMI, will compete in the U18 and U20 events.

Stay tuned for results and updates as the team prepares to compete in the Pacific’s premier track and field meet, bringing together countries under Oceania Athletics, including Australia, New Zealand, and smaller island teams like the CNMI.