The Sports Leigh-Out Feb 28 - March 6, 2026

Hafa Adai and Tirow sports fans, this is Leigh Gases with this week’s Sports Leigh-Out brought to you by Joeten Motors!

Let’s take a closer look at what our athletes have been up to in off-island competitions and on their home turf—whether it’s on the pitch, mat, courts, fields, track, pools, or the beautiful ocean.

Wrestler Gordon Taitingfong pins down awards in Oregon

CNMI’s Gordon Taitingfong, an up-and-coming wrestler in his debut year, has already accumulated awards during his time as a junior at Gresham High School in Oregon.

The 17-year-old former Kagman High School student moved with his family to Oregon last June and started wrestling just last September, but since then, has already multiple awards to his name.

His list of accomplishments include being the champion of the Mount Hood Conference on Feb. 20, placing first in the Rick Sanders tournament and the Mount Hood Conference District tournament on Dec. 13, placing second at the Southridge Boys Tournament (Jan. 2), Rangers Classic Tournament (Dec. 6), and The Tigard Invitational Tournament (Jan.10), and qualifying for the OSAA Wrestling state tournament.

His 2025-2026 record in folk style wrestling is 31 wins and 9 losses. He will transition to freestyle wrestling during the off season.

Growing up on Saipan his whole life, he decided to join wrestling in the states because he was inspired by his uncle—his dad’s brother, who wrestled in high school and placed first in an all island tournament in Guam.

When asked what he thought of wrestling as a first timer, he said, “I can say wrestling is a great sport overall it teaches you life lessons that you’ll value even after highschool.”

His goal from here is to improve and prepare himself for the next season as it's going to be his senior year and last season. As for his ultimate goal with wrestling he said, “is to take first at the OSAA Wrestling State tournament next year. I do not have plans on wrestling in college as of right now but if I do get an offer during my senior year I may consider continuing wrestling.”

His training regiment includes training from Monday to Friday under his head coach Elijah Kue, an Oregon wrestler and All American wrestler. His younger brother Phillip Kue who coaches beside him, wrestled in college at Ohio State and was a 3x State Champion in Oregon.

MHS dethrones SIS for girls soccer title

Marianas High School Lady Dolphins dethroned erstwhile defending champions Saipan International School Lady Geckos, 5-0, during the championship showdown of the 2025-2026 PSS-NMIFA Girls High School Interscholastic Soccer League finals on Tuesday, Mar. 3, at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

The undefeated Lady Dolphins made their way to the finals and started their path to the trophy as soon as the whistle blew.

Fiona Regan shot through SIS’ defenses for a quick goal just three minutes into the match, setting the pace the rest of the way. SIS transfer, 10th grader Aubrey White then added two back-to-back goals in the 17th and 18th minute for a 3-0 lead.

The first half was all MHS as White found the back of the net twice more in the 22nd and 27th minute for a 5-0 game. MHS tried to add more, but mercy for SIS came by way of half time. SIS did come back stronger defensively in the second half, as they didn’t allow any more goals. However, they couldn’t get past MHS defenders to get themselves on the board—-and not for the lack of trying. SIS strikers rushed the goals a few times but MHS’ defense and goalie had the championship on lock.

At the end of the match, White was named the MVP and Golden Boot awardee. White, who actually helped SIS win their championship last school year, transferred to MHS and carried her winning ways. Playing with the new school and team, she said, “Since it’s a new school I wanted to do my best for the school. I wanted to show that I can play with the girls and do well for our school.”

Going up against her old school and teammates, she said, “It’s definitely interesting. I know all the girls who are playing so it was kind of hard.”

Their finals against SIS, said White, was a good one. “I feel like we had a pretty good mindset heading into the game. We worked together, and we train together most of the time, and we’re all just really close.”

Their undefeated season, she said, also went well as they went into each and every game strong and played their hardest.

On her awards, she said her main goal this season was to win the Golden Boot and thanked her teammates for helping her get it. The MVP award, however, was unexpected. “I didn’t think I could actually get it because we have good players,” she said.

For her four goals, White was handed the Most Valuable Player award and was also named the Golden Boot for her 20 goals.

Meanwhile, SSHS won over Kagman High School to settle for third place.

With White and Regan were Alyssa Borlongan, Elyza Brillo, Precious Castro, Orica George, Yelynn Ha, Ella Hall, Alana Hayes, Xyriel Pascual, Iris Rasa, Fiona Regan, and Richelle Sune.

SIS’ team were made up of Raven Anderson, Asa Backe, Kassidy Camacho, Julie Chavez, Irin Chung, Kylie Claveria, Yeji Jang, Misha Kim, Scarlette Kim, Kate Manglona, Irene Park, Addalee Taflinger, Hoo Wang, Jamie Whang, and Ziting Wu.

FIBA delegates make historic first visit to CNMI

Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) representatives—FIBA Central Director/Head of National Federations & Sport Michal Konecny and FIBA Oceania Senior Manager Siale Bain-Vete—visited the CNMI for the first time over the weekend, from Friday, Feb. 27 to Sunday, Mar. 1.

During their visit, they immersed themselves in the local basketball culture. They watched several interscholastic high school games and the local government/business league, met with Lt. Gov. Dennis Mendiola, NMI Basketball Federation board members, officials and referees, and members of the Northern Marianas Sports Association board. They were also VIP guests at the annual NMSA Awards Banquet held Saturday night.

Konecny said the purpose of the visit was to understand what the local federation is doing and see how FIBA can better support efforts to grow and develop the game. He added that they also wanted to learn more about basketball in Oceania, noting that islands in the region may share similar challenges with islands in the Caribbean. The goal, he said, is to understand how basketball operates in these areas and prepare specific programs tailored for island federations.

One program Konecny mentioned was FIBA Plus, which includes governance, sporting strategy, income generation, and women in basketball. He said that if implemented in the CNMI, it could also create opportunities for the islands to compete in 3x3 basketball at the Asia level.

Speaking about the local basketball scene, Bain-Vete said, “We were both equally impressed with the facilities. There was definitely a lot of passion shown on the court—a lot of fast play, which we understand is a bit of a trademark for NMI. We were also lucky to interact with the referees and officials. The basketball board does a great job trying to empower and encourage them, because without their involvement, those games don’t happen. It was a great experience—a very passionate public at the high school level as well.”

When asked about opportunities for growth, Bain-Vete said there is huge potential for the CNMI at the 3x3 level in Oceania and beyond. “We’ve already seen the great success of the CNMI at last year’s Mini Games where they won a bronze medal. I think the style of play and the passion of the players blend really well with 3x3. There’s potential to continue to grow, both competing in the region and beyond,” he said.

On what the local federation should focus on, Konecny said grassroots development is the “basement.” “If you want to build a house, you start from the basement. My recommendation was to start with grassroots, with the coaches. After that, they can take other steps at the youth level and the national team level,” he said.

As former basketball players, they were also asked what advice they would give CNMI’s youth. Bain-Vete said, “Listen to your coaches, work hard, and don’t forget that it is also a game, so have fun. Don’t be afraid to ask for help as well.”

For the federation, Konecny’s advice was to “keep the patience.”

Youth triumph at 2025 NMSA awards

At the 2025 NMSA Awards Banquet held at the Hibiscus Hall of the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan on Feb. 28, the islands’ top athletes, coaches, and sports leaders were recognized for a year filled with national records, personal bests, and major milestones on and off island.

Taking center stage were the home-grown young stars. Young but experienced swimmer Frances Raho and first-time wrestler Seth Joshua Sablan were named Female and Male Student-Athletes of the Year. NAIA collegiate swimmer Isaiah Aleksenko, 2024’s Male Student-Athlete of the Year, swam up to claim the 2025 Male Athlete of the Year award, while distance runner Tania Tan ran to her fourth straight Female Athlete of the Year title.

The 16-year-old represented the NMI at the Pacific Games and the World Aquatics Championships, setting several national and age-group records while collecting medals in international meets. She edged out fellow nominees Kaithlyn Chavez (Football), Addalee Taflinger (Athletics), Maria Batallones (Swimming), and LoVel Spaeth (Triathlon and Athletics).

“It feels so surreal—it feels amazing to know that the hard work I put in has an outcome and it feels amazing to get this award especially from the NMI. Getting this award has made me more proud of myself because it made me look back on all of the things I actually did do,” Raho said.

Her proudest moment, she said, was representing the NMI in Australia for the New South Wales competition. “It felt amazing to represent with my team and also work alongside Oceania and all the teams from there, and I loved swimming there. The pool was really nice and the records I got was really amazing.” As for what’s next, she said she’s competing in Fiji in May for the Oceania Championships, with her goal to break more records, get better times, and try new events. She then dedicated her award to her coaches and parents for putting their time and dedication in supporting her and the sport of swimming.

Like Raho, Sablan also made his mark on the regional stage. He made a strong international debut at the Pacific Mini Games, winning gold in the 65kg Greco-Roman division and bronze in the 71kg freestyle event. The 17-year-old stood out in a competitive field that included Theodore Rogers (Athletics), Michael Miller (Triathlon and Swimming), Isaiah Arriola-Mook (Tennis), Victor Nash Santos (Athletics), Kouki Watanabe (Swimming), and Gabriel Walsh (Athletics and Swimming).

“I was really surprised. I didn’t really picture myself up there. But it’s pretty cool,” Sablan said on winning the award. He dedicated his win to God, saying, “Without God, nothing is possible, and with God, all things are possible. I’m just so happy to be blessed with this opportunity to keep on competing and learning and growing through wrestling.”

He is competing this month in freestyle, Greco-Roman, and beach with his goal to get triple gold.

Logan is doubles champ at Highline Beach United Sponsorship Open

2025 NMSA Team of the Year winner and national beach volleyball player Logan Mister recently won the championships at the Highline Beach United Sponsorship Open on Feb. 28 in California.

Mister teamed up with trusty partner Rowdy Lennon and swept Seian Cook and Brian Miller in two sets, 21-18, 21-17.

Simon Tang to represent in Poland

National track and field athlete and collegiate athlete Simon Tang is set to represent the CNMI and debut in the 60m sprint at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 2026 in Poland from Mar. 20-22.

He also recently set a new personal best at the 60m hurdles at 8.76 seconds from 8.91 seconds in his last indoor race of the season at the NCAC D3 Indoor Championship at Wittenberg Springfield, Ohio.