The Sports Leigh-Out June 13-June 19, 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.

Fielders catch Seniors title over Braves, 17-9

In an abbreviated Saipan Little League Baseball 2026 season, the intense heat of the day set the stage for an even more intense championship showdown between the Senior Division's top two teams—the Fielders and Braves, on Sunday, June 14, at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field. When the dust settled as the sun finally started to set over the horizon, the Fielders were on top, 17-9 and claimed the title.

It was a heated contest from the start, with emotions running high as coaches from both teams and even a player were ejected during the game under the scorching afternoon sun. Despite the tension, both teams played with heart and determination in a season shortened by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

The Braves struck first, scoring two runs in the opening inning behind Justin Garde and Aiken Norita, while the Fielders were retired in order, giving the Braves an early 2-0 lead. The Braves added another run in the second inning, but the Fielders quickly responded, exploding for a six-run second inning to take control, 6-3.

In the third, the Braves battled back, taking advantage of defensive miscues to trim the deficit to 6-4. The fourth inning proved crucial as with the temperature still soaring, so did the intensity on the field as tempers flared and both teams fought for every run. The Fielders added two more runs for an 8-4 lead, but the Braves answered in a big way, rallying to score four runs and briefly reclaim the lead, 8-7.

The Fielders, however, refused to let the momentum slip away. Kayden Lizama, Joel Cabrera, Caleb Cabrera, and Nick Sablan each crossed the plate during a four-run surge that put the Fielders back in front, 11-8.

From there, the Fielders tightened up defensively and got strong work on the mound, holding the Braves scoreless in the fifth inning. Their offense continued to stay red-hot, adding three runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to build an even bigger lead.

The Braves managed one final run in the last inning, but it was not enough as the Fielders closed out the championship victory, 17-9.

Guma’ Imahe joins FIFA parade in Washington

As all eyes are on the FIFA World Cup, Guma’ Imahi—in the spirit of unity and cultural pride, took part in the opening festivities in Tacoma, Washington on Saturday, June 13.

The Tacoma-based group performed to showcase Chamorro culture and represent Guam and the CNMI in front of an international crowd, alongside the Puyallup Tribe, the first Native American tribe to be recognized as a World Cup host community in North America. Founder Joel Larimer, who is from Guam, said the moment carried real meaning for the group and the people they represent.

On the opportunity to join the festivities, Larimer said, “We jumped on it. This was going to be something that was going to be a milestone for our people—not just for the NMI or Guam, but all of us as a whole. It’s a milestone for us that we’re represented at the world stage. So when that opportunity came about, we grabbed it and we ran with it.”

Guma’ Imahi teaches and shares Chamorro culture through dance, song, chant, and workshops. The group has grown to nearly 200 members, including kids and adults from different backgrounds and ethnic groups.

The group is now preparing for its second Chamorro Day Festival on June 27, after Tacoma officially declared the date Chamorro Day. The event will feature cultural activities, vendors, and performances. Larimer said the goal is to bring people from Guam and the CNMI together and strengthen the connection between the islands through their shared Chamorro culture and heritage.

Attao rolls to 5th Pan-American wrestling title in Peru

CNMI son Aden Attao let it fly on the mats of Lima, Peru to capture his fifth Pan-American title after winning gold at the U23 Pan-American Championships held from June 11-13.

Competing in the 130kg Greco-Roman division for Team USA, the 21-year-old rolled through the competition undefeated—winning all three of his matches by technical superiority without giving up a single point. He opened with an 8-0 victory over Peru's Fabrizio Javier Seminario Calla, followed with another 8-0 win against Antonio Armand Ramos, and closed out the tournament with an 8-0 victory over Steven Riano Catano.

On winning this tournament, he said, "It felt good being able to have the opportunity to go out and wrestle at this tournament, along with the opportunity to showcase my skills and my capabilities," Attao said. "It's a good measuring tool for myself leading into worlds and now I know what to work on and continuing to improve and get better."

The title comes during a busy stretch for him, who made a major change in his wrestling career last year. "In August of last year I officially decided to leave the Oregon State Wrestling Team. I moved out to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and am finishing my degree online. I have been travelling overseas, training and competing.”

Before heading to Peru, he competed at the U23 World Team Trials. He had already secured his spot on the U23 World Team after making the Senior National Team in Las Vegas, making the event another opportunity to get matches in and prepare for Peru.

CNMI’s Deseha Mendiola receives two UOG Triton Awards

CNMI daughter Deseha Mendiola has earned two Triton Awards at the University of Guam, recognizing her leadership, work ethic, and contributions as a student-athlete.

After four semesters competing in both basketball and volleyball, Mendiola earned a Triton Award in each sport for the 2025-2026 school year. It adds to her list of accomplishments at UOG, where she also earned a volleyball Triton Award in 2024-25, was named Best Defensive Player in basketball, and selected as an All-League volleyball player.

Mendiola said this year’s award meant more to her, especially in volleyball after switching from middle blocker to outside hitter. The change meant adjusting to a new role and putting more focus on defense, which she said has always been a weak point. While her height helps her on offense, she said her biggest growth came from becoming a more consistent defender.

She also said she took on a bigger leadership role this season. “I was definitely busting my butt on the court a lot more,” she said. “When my volleyball coach gave me the award, she said this was one of the first seasons I was more outspoken—not just for myself, but for my teammates too.”

In basketball, she credited her coach for pushing her to improve. “She’s such an encouraging coach,” Mendiola said. “Every practice and game, she’s always telling me ways I can get better and reminding me how far I’ve come since I first got here.”

Mendiola, who was born on Guam, lived on Rota, and graduated from Saipan Southern High School, moved to Guam in 2024 to continue her studies and athletic career. She also continues to play soccer and represents the CNMI as a goalkeeper, her main sport. She said adjusting to Guam’s level of competition was not easy.

“When I got here, the playing style was a lot more competitive,” she said. “Back home, a lot of players play more for fun, even if they’re good. Here it’s more serious. At first it was a shock because I didn’t really know what I was doing. I’m still learning, but I’ve gotten more comfortable during games and practices.”

Despite her busy schedule, Mendiola said school comes first. “I understand I’m a student first and I’m here to get my degree, not just play sports,” she said. She said she is proud to represent the CNMI and hopes younger athletes back home stay motivated and keep pushing through challenges.

Crank Martial Arts Academy opens in Guam

The Marianas’ Frank “The Crank” Camacho has opened his own martial arts academy at the Leo Palace Resort in Guam, finally bringing a longtime dream to life. The academy, called Crank Martial Arts Academy, is his way of giving back to Guam and the CNMI for the support he received over his more than 20-year fighting career.

Now retired from professional competition at 37 after his UFC run from 2017 to 2022, Camacho said he wants to pass on what he learned training with top coaches and athletes around the world. In partnership with the Leo Palace team, he plans to grow the academy with classes for all ages, along with grappling and MMA events, sports tourism opportunities, and self-defense programs for the community.

NMA Open Track and Field Meet draws big participation

The NMA Open Track and Field Meet 2026 drew a big crowd to the Oleai Sports Complex Track and Field on Thursday, June 18 to Friday, June 19.

The events on day one were the men, women, and masters long jump; masters 60m sprint; men and women 800m run; men and women 100m dash; men, women, and masters shot put, and men and women 5,000m run.

On Friday, the events were the men, women, and masters discus throw; men and women 110m hurdles; men and women 200m dash; men and women 1,500m run; men, women, and masters javelin throw; and the men and women 4x100m relay.

The event was also used as a scouting event for the upcoming Oregon World Athletics U20 Championships in August and the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti.

Results for both days are still pending as of press time.

PSS Summer Strong Fastpitch Softball Tournament from June 24-26

With the Public School System school year and athletic programs 2025-2026 cut short due to Super Typhoon Sinlaku, PSS is setting up a Summer Strong Fastpitch Softball Tournament from June 24-26 at the Capital Hill Softball Field. Meanwhile, other tournaments are in the works by the Athletic Programs and their national federation partners.