The Sports Leigh-Out July 19-25

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.

Isaiah Aleksenko to transfer to NCAA D1 college in ‘26

Six-time gold medalist in the 2025 Palau Pacific Mini Games Isaiah Aleksenko is going to the big league in 2026. This, after the 18-year-old told Marianas Press he will be making the move to Division 1 of the NCAA next year.

“I will be transferring next year to an NCAA D1 college to continue my academics and swimming career.”

As to what Division 1 school in the NCAA, the Marianas High School, currently enrolled at Keiser University of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, said it’s under wraps for now.

Aleksenko dominated the swimming competition in Koror, striking gold in the men's 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly, 100m individual medley, 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, and the 100m backstroke. He also came home with a silver (4x200m freestyle) and bronze (4x100m medley) in relays to help the CNMI to a sixth-place finish in the Games.

When asked what event he was most nervous about because he might lose, he said it was definitely the 50m butterfly.

“I’m not a 50 sprinter, but I ended up winning, thanks to all the positivity that was spread around me.”

As for his best swims, Aleksenko pointed to his performances in the 200m butterfly or 100m backstroke.

“My best race I would say is either my 200 fly or 100 back, because I got a personal best for both events, but only because I haven’t done 100 back yet and my 200 fly I haven’t done in a long time, but next time I will practice harder and make sure to beat my times even more.”

He said his success in the Palau Games came even as he battled sickness in the runup to the swimming competition.

“I did a lot of sprint training and trained hard every day, but unfortunately, I got sick before the competition, so I couldn’t really practice the last week of the Games.”

Aleksenko then dedicated his medals in the Games to God, his mom and family, CNMI national swimming coach Hiroyuki Kimura and team manager Yuko Kimura, and the rest of his teammates.

As for his immediate plans after the Mini Games, Aleksenko said he has set his sights on breaking his personal bests—and perhaps CNMI national records—in his next competitions.

Swim team off to Singapore

NMI swim team consisting of four swimmers—Maria Batallones, Kouki Watanabe, Frances "Piper" Raho, and Michael Miller—all fresh off the Palau Pacific Mini Games, is off to compete in the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore that will be held from July 27-Aug. 3.

Accompanying the swimmers are coaches Christian Villacrusis and NMI National Swimming Federation president John Hirsh.

The events for the swimmers include the 50m and 100m breaststroke for Batallones and Watanabe; the 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle for Miller; the 50m and 200m backstroke for Raho; and the 4x100m freestyle relay and 4x100m medley relay for all four swimmers.

According to Villacrusis, “In terms of experience, we are a mixed group. This is Michaels 1st. Kouki and Piper are going to their 2nd. This will be Maria's 6th!”

Prime team undefeated in APEC league

The young Prime team is undefeated with eight wins in the women’s division of the 2025 APEC Basketball League heading into the playoffs.

Their most recent win came from a thrilling overtime matchup over the Airballers, 41-35.

In the standings behind Prime are Hericanes and Airballers with a 5-3 record each; MP Raiders are at 2-6; and Beachfront Ballers have lost all eight of their games.

As for the U18 boys standings, Turnkey Solutions-G Rollers lead with seven wins and no losses; Hardt Eye Raiders are at 7-1; Kada Dia-G Rollers are at 5-2; G Rollers 2 have a 4-3

record; Kagman are at 3-4; Xtreme Fitness-Madflex are 1-6; Priority Care-Madflex is at 2-6; and G Rollers 4 have lost all seven of their games.

2nd Annual NMISA Summer T-ball League begins

The Northern Mariana Islands Softball Association started its 2nd Annual Summer T-Ball League at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Pangelinan Ball Field last July 13 with six teams.

The Athletics beat the Mariners, 26-17, the Padres slipped past the Pirates, 23-22, while the Blue Jays and the Comets settled for a 21-21 tie.