The Sports Leigh-Out: March 7-13

Hafa Adai yan Tirow sports fans, this is Leigh Gases bringing you Marianas Press’ weekly wrap up—the Sports Leigh-Out for the week of March 7-13. 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 is nat’l champion, Swimmer of the Year with 6 gold, 5 records

Isaiah Aleksenko is continuing to make tsunamis during his collegiate debut as just after his record-breaking performance in the Conference Championships last month, he has outdone himself once again and is now a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national champion.

He collected six gold medals and broke five national records in the 2025 NAIA Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving National Championships held last March 5-8 at Elkhart, Indiana.

The 18-year-old collected three individual national titles and broke two NAIA records. In the 100m backstroke, he sprinted a time of 46.12 seconds for the NAIA record, and in the 200m butterfly, he clocked in at 1:42.87 for his second NAIA record. His third individual title was in the 100m butterfly with a time of 46.01 seconds which broke the meet record.

His three other gold medals were in the relays. He and his team swam to gold and NAIA record in the 400m medley with a time of 3:10.52; gold and NAIA record in the 800m freestyle with a time of 6:28.31; and gold and NAIA record in the 200m medley with a time of 1:24.22.

He was instrumental in securing Keiser University’s sixth Red Banner—the university's emblem of swimming excellence, and for his outstanding performance, the Seahawk freshman was named the 2024-2025 NAIA Swimmer of the Year by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA).

Before the national championships, Aleksenko reeled in five gold medals, broke four records, collected the title of NAIA Men's Swimmer of the Month for the second time this season, and for his overall performance in his debut, was named the Sun Conference Swimmer of the Year after his performance in the Sun Conference Championships held last Feb. 6-8.

Lady Geckos repeat as soccer champs

The Lady Geckos of Saipan International School clinched the PSS-NMIFA Girls High School Interscholastic Soccer League 2024-2025 championship for their second title in a row on Thursday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

The season’s most valuable player and SIS’ star striker, Andrei Kaithlyn Chavez, led her team to a 4-2 victory over Saipan Southern High School Lady Manta Rays in a heated match that contrasted the cold and rainy evening. Chavez also won the Golden Boot Award as she scored the most goals in the season at 32.

Stay tuned for the full report only here at Marianas Press!

Tania resets indoor 1-mile nat’l record, again

Just like Isaiah Aleksenko, Tania Tan has outdone herself once again as she reset the NMI national record in the indoor 1-mile with a time of 5:20.22 in the NYRR Night at the Races #5 last March 6 at The Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory, New York.

The 23-year-old had just previously broken the record last February 15 at The Circuit NYC, also held at The Armory, with a time of 5:22.51—slashing more than two seconds off her time this time around.

Four-peat for Umangs in v-ball

The Koblerville Elementary School Umangs 1 are an undefeated dynasty in the volleyball world as they swept the PSS-NMIVA Co-ed Elementary School Volleyball Tournament 2024-2025 season and capped it off with their fourth straight title last Saturday at the Oleai Sports Complex.

Umangs 1 clinched the title in a quick final matchup against runner-up San Vicente Elementary School Canaries 1, 21-4. After a 10-point bombardment by the Umangs, it seemed like the game was over as quickly as it had started.

However, the Canaries regrouped and managed to score a few points. Still, the Umangs halted their momentum and scored the final points to seal the victory.

The Umangs 1 team made up of James Defang, TicksonCosmes, Nolan Mallens, Julian Yamada, Liam Duenas, Jesus Cabrera, Isabel Borja, Ivory Duenas, Vanicia Mettao, Baylyn Mansfield, Renita Wabol, Delores Okoruru, and Rebecca Alvarado breezed through the season undefeated.

Husband-and-wife duo conquers 2025 Saipan Marathon

Their wedding vows must’ve mentioned running marathons together, because a husband-and-wife duo from Japan—Hiroki Nakajima and Tomomi Nakajima—not only ran the 2025 Skechers Saipan Marathon, but dominated the competition last Saturday.

The annual event that sported the full marathon, half-marathon, 10K, and 5K, featured runners of all ages and from around the world with the start and finish lines at the Micro Beach Road, next to the Marianas Beach Resort. Out of the 618 registered participants, 530 showed up, eager to test their endurance, mental and physical fortitude, or simply have fun with family and friends and get their steps in.

The full marathon course etched its way from Micro Beach Road, south to Chalan Kiya, then back north to Banzai Cliff, and finally back to Micro Beach Road.

The 35-year-old Hiroki crushed the full marathon (26.2 miles/42.195K) with the fastest overall time of 2:29:25—which beat the course record of 2:44:45 set last year by Yuki Kaneyama. In the women’s division, Tomomi clocked in first at 3:08:31.

Second place in the men’s division was Kaneyama at 2:40:24, while third was Shohei Miyamoto at 2:44:13. Runner-up in the women’s division was South Korea’s Yun Jin Kim with a time of 3:33:18, and third place was Saipan’s Heather Brook at 3:37:36.

Dolphins narrowly edge Manta Rays, 44-42

Marianas High School Dolphins are still the undefeated top dog in the IT&E Interscholastic Boys High School Basketball League 2024-2025, narrowly edging out rival Saipan Southern High School Manta Rays, 44-42, last Friday at a buzzingly electric Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

It was a seesaw and intense battle throughout that had its supporters on their feet and screaming at the top of their lungs with each point. When it seemed like the Manta Rays would walk away with the win at 42-40 with just a few minutes left on the clock, it wasn’t over just yet as a free throw was given to MHS making it a close, 42-41 game.

Then, MHS’ Kenny Laquian came in clutch when he drained a 3-pointer to steal the win, 44-42—as MHS’ supporters burst out into explosive cheers that drowned out SSHS’ bleachers.

MHS are now at five straight wins after they beat Kagman High School, 62-57, on Wednesday.

SBL announces nat’l baseball team manager for Pacific Mini Games

The Saipan Baseball League announced Jay Kintol as the team manager for the CNMI National Baseball Team during a press conference on Wednesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium conference room.

With Kintol leading the team, the head coach is Luis Iguel Jr. The 20-man roster has not been set yet, as tryouts have not been held.

The team is competing in the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau this summer to defend its title. In the last edition of the Pacific Mini Games in 2022, the CNMI had home-field advantage and clinched the baseball gold medal over rival Guam.

SBL president Jay Santos said of Kintol, “I don’t think there’s anybody else that we can task for this challenge… it’ll be Jay’s decision on putting the roster together.”

Kintol, for his part, said, “Thank you to Jay and the board members for number one, giving me the opportunity for this experience. And two, for the experience itself—to do the best I can in forming 20 guys for the baseball roster and kind of do what they did back in 2022 for the prize of the gold medal. That is the plan. Jay said the games are coming up shortly and we’re going to do what we can with the time that we’re given… We already actually selected a head coach—Luis Iguel Jr. [He’s] well known to the baseball community here… so I’m very confident in having Jun on board.”

In other announcements, the 2025 SBL Major League season is slated for April 7, where the selected players will play in, along with practices outside. Also, the Saipan Little League Baseball is back with a full season tomorrow, Saturday, March 15, after a few years hiatus.

Watch the live video of the press conference on our Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube pages.

Credits to naianetwork.com for Isaiah's swimming video.