The Sports Leigh-Out May 16-22, 2026

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

As the community rebuilds, here’s the latest in sports.

Medals, national records, personal bests in Australia

Team NMI’s boys were a blur of blue on the track today, starting with Simon Tang, who ran and hopped his way to silver in the 400m hurdles. Landen Taflinger also raced his way to silver and a national record in the 800m, while Theodore Rodgers set a new personal best in the 200m on Day 4 of the 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships on Thursday, May 21, in Darwin, Australia.

With a field of three runners, Tang clocked in at 57.43 seconds, while Tonga’s Eric Tuiono settled for bronze with a time of 57.65. Gold also went to Tonga’s Mounga Leao with a time of 56.15.

Meanwhile, in the last race of the day, Taflinger, competing in a field of four runners, raced to silver with a time of 2:05.70. Although Team Hawai’i Athletics’ Mason Walker crossed the finish line first at 2:02.22, Team Hawai’i athletes do not place in the official standings because they are competing by invitation only and are not a member federation. As a result, gold went to Guam’s Rynier Di Ramos, who finished in 2:02.40.

Rodgers, meanwhile, ran in Heat 2 of the 200m and clocked a personal best time of 23.67 seconds.

Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, May 19, 16-year-old Addalee Taflinger set a personal best by a couple of seconds in the Women’s U18 1,500m after clocking 5:28.32. Meanwhile, Tania Tan came close to breaking the national record in the 1,500m with a time of 4:55.79.

On opening day Monday, May 18, Taflinger made her international debut for the CNMI in the Women’s U18 800m and finished in 2:31.55. In the field events, NMI record-holder and Micronesian Games gold medalist Maria Quitugua recorded a best throw of 32.44m on her first attempt.

Tomorrow, Tang takes on the 110m hurdles, Landen  returns to the track for the 1,500m, and Tan looks to chase a medal or possibly a record in the 5,000m.

Stay tuned for more results and the full story.

Carol Lee plays at French Open

Just after midnight Saipan time, Tuesday, May 19, Saipan’s Carol Lee is hitting the clay courts in the qualifying round of the Roland-Garros (French Open)—one of tennis’ four Grand Slam tournaments, held on the clay courts of Paris, France.

For Lee, playing in the Roland-Garros qualifiers means a lot. Growing up in the CNMI, she said chances to reach this level of tennis are limited, making every Grand Slam opportunity feel bigger than just herself. “I feel proud to represent the CNMI and show that athletes from small communities can still dream big and compete internationally.”

Lee said clay-court tennis has taken some adjustment compared to hard courts, especially with movement, patience, and longer rallies.

“My preparation has focused on sliding more comfortably, building up the points more carefully, and becoming comfortable hitting various shots,” she said. “I’ve also been spending more time training and competing in Europe, which has helped me adjust to different clay conditions and gain more confidence on the surface.”

Earlier this year, Lee also played in the qualifying rounds of the Australian Open, which she said helped build her confidence going into Roland-Garros. “The Australian Open qualifying experience gave me a lot of confidence because it showed me that I belong at this level,” Lee said. “Going into Roland Garros qualifying, I feel more prepared and more experienced. I’ve learned how important it is to trust my game and embrace pressure.”

When asked what the biggest improvements in her game is this season, she said it’s been her movement, consistency, and mental toughness, especially during difficult moments in matches.

With the islands still going through recovery after Super Typhoon Sinlaku, Lee said representing the CNMI on this stage is very important to her. “I know many people back home are still recovering and facing challenges after the typhoon. The CNMI community has always been resilient, and I want to represent that strength whenever I compete internationally. Sports can bring people hope and pride during difficult times, and if my journey can give even a small amount of encouragement to people back home, that means a lot to me.”

Her message to the CNMI community: “⁠My message is to stay strong and continue supporting one another. Our community has always shown resilience through difficult times, and I truly believe we will recover together. Even while I’m not there physically, my heart is at home, connecting with the community. I hope people back home know that we are capable of overcoming hardships and coming back even stronger.”

Kanoa, SSS Blue wins Play Smart, Live Strong Football Tournament

After a week of AFC Grassroots Football Day and National Prevention Week activities, the Play Smart, Live Strong Football Tournament wrapped up Friday, May 16, at the TSL Sports Complex.

Players of all ages packed the fields in colorful uniforms as families and teammates gathered around the sidelines throughout the tournament. The event promoted staying active and making healthy choices through football.

In the U8 boys division, SSS Blue claimed first place, followed by Matansa in second and SSS Green in third. Paire FC received the Team Spirit Award, while Leon Ogarto was named the division MVP.

In the U12 division, Kanoa FC took the championship, with Paire FC finishing runner-up and Latte FC placing third. Jacob Borja was named MVP after also earning the Male Golden Boot with 14 goals. Darshwana Chhetri received the Female Golden Boot award after scoring five goals during the tournament.

The tournament was hosted by the NMI Football Association in collaboration with the TSL Foundation, Saipan Soccer School, and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation Community Guidance Center.

CNMI swimmers make waves in Ed Ching Invitational

CNMI swimmers made the most of their stint on Guam by storming the podium in their respective divisions during the 2nd Annual Edwin Ching Swimming Invitational on Saturday, May 16.

In the Girls 11-12 division, Tsunami’s Sera Guerrero placed first in the 400m freestyle with a time of 5:42.25 and also won the 200m freestyle in 2:35.44. She added a third-place finish in the 50m freestyle with a time of 33.15. Teammate Gwen Retardo also had strong results, winning the 50m backstroke in 36.32 and the 100m backstroke in 1:18.96, while placing second in the 50m freestyle in 32.43. SSC’s Hope Tenorio won the 100m butterfly in 1:37.44, placed second in the 50m butterfly in 39.46, and finished fifth in the 50m freestyle in 34.83.

As for the Men 19+ division, Tsunami’s Kevin Guerrero Jr. swept all three of his events. He won the 50m breaststroke in 35.17, the 50m butterfly in 29.52, and the 50m freestyle in 27.57. In the Boys 13-14 division, SSC’s P.J. Seman placed first in the 50m butterfly with a time of 36.01. He also finished second in the 50m freestyle in 32.07 and third in the 100m freestyle in 1:15.90.

Meanwhile, in the Boys 11-12 division, SSC’s Gabe Walsh won the 50m breaststroke in 52.38. He also placed third in the 100m freestyle with a time of 1:25.31 and third in the 50m freestyle in 37.79.

In the Boys 9-10 division, SSC’s Jr. Seman won all three of his events. He took first in the 50m backstroke in 41.05, the 50m breaststroke in 50.24, and the 50m freestyle in 36.08. Teammate Lukasz Szefler won the 100m butterfly in 1:46.10 and placed second in both the 100m freestyle in 1:29.76 and the 50m butterfly in 46.35. And in the Girls 9-10 division, SSC’s Olivia Walsh won the 50m backstroke in 46.45 and the 100m freestyle in 1:24.83. She also placed fourth in the 50m breaststroke with a time of 1:01.72.

CNMI Softball Tournament fundraiser this weekend

In a turn of events following Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the 3rd Annual CNMI Softball Tournament 2026 set for Memorial Day weekend has become more than softball this year.

While the CNMI is in recovery mode, players and families will still gather this weekend—a chance to unwind but also as a way for the community to support families affected by the typhoon.

The tournament began Friday, May 22, at 7am at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field and the Miguel “Tan Ge” Pangelinan Softball Field at the Oleai Sports Complex. A small opening ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 23.

Tournament committee member Tony Salas said the goal is “to give the people something to decompress while we go through these hard times.” Donations of canned goods and clothing collected during the tournament will be given to those in need.

There are 11 men’s teams competing in a double-elimination format and seven women’s teams taking part in the tournament.

The men’s teams are Da Aliens, Ma’toka, Fakamean, Skoba, Bat-titude, Mamaaw, Riddim, Parre Pack, Blue Jays, Just Fams, and Mwaalir Alutung. The women’s teams are Lady Sufa, 670 Babes, Quit Pitchin, Tipsies, Lady Mixers, Lady Blue Jays, and Lady Akkari.