The Sports Leigh-Out May 9-15

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 May 9-15.

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.

SIS, DMS take top honors in athletics champs

The Oleai Sports Complex was bustling with electric energy once again as middle school and high school track stars from Saipan, Tinian, and Rota put on a final show stopping performance during the two-day PSS-McDonald’s All Schools Athletics Championship 2024-2025. Despite the blazing sun and sudden downpours, the student-athletes dug deep, left everything on the track, and delivered performances packed with grit, heart, and high-octane action.

When the final baton was passed and the last spikes crossed the finish line, Saipan International School dominated the leaderboard.

The Geckos clinched triple gold, powering their way to the top of the high school girls division with 129 points, sprinting ahead in the high school boys division with 76 points, and steamrolling the middle school girls division with a commanding 134 points.

In the middle school boys division, it was Dandan Middle School that ruled the lanes, racking up a massive 190 points to take home top honors and bragging rights.

Second to the Lady Geckos’ high school team were Agape Christian School at 115 points, while Marianas High School claimed third place at 45 points. ACS were also second place in the high school boys division with 67 points, and MHS placed third again with 64 points.

In the middle school girls division, second place as DMS at 61 points, while Tinian Jr. High School was third at 50 points.

Second to DMS in the middle school boys division was Hopwood Middle School 45 points, while Chacha Ocean View Middle School was third at 29 points.

Tottots win MS boys soccer title

The Dandan Middle School Tottots flew to the championship of the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Soccer League 2024-2025 last May 8 at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

They went up against formidable foe, erstwhile undefeated Hopwood Middle School Hilitais varsity and pulled off an upset, 2-1.

The match started with a quick icebreaker from the Tottots’ Jpiel Calsita in the second minute to put them up, 1-0. But, the Hilitais’ Michy Depich Jr. equalized in the 17th minute and brought them back in the game. Then, just three minutes later, DMS’ Zhi Jin put them ahead, 2-1.

The game intensified in the second half as both teams vied for the title. HMS made many pushes to DMS’ goal, but to no avail as DMS’ defense was solid. After a long battle, both teams couldn’t score and HMS conceded to DMS as time ran out.

Third place went to Saipan International School.

For his performance on this pitch, Jin was named the Most Valuable Player, while the Golden Boot Award went to Tanapag Middle School’s Casmiro Cosmes.

Carol Lee wins 1st W50 title

Saipan’s Carol Lee captured the women’s singles title at the ITF W50 tournament in Lopota, Georgia, with a hard-fought comeback victory over host country’s Ekaterine Gorgodze last May 10.

After dropping the first set in a tiebreak 6-7, Lee rallied to take the second set—also in a tiebreak—7-6, before closing out the match with a deciding 6-4 in the third. The final lasted three hours and 19 minutes, showcasing Lee’s stamina and determination.

The win capped a strong run across back-to-back Lopota tournaments, where Lee won 13 out of 14 matches. Her performance is expected to boost her WTA ranking from 557 to approximately 430.

Umangs takes softball crown

The Koblerville Elementary School Umangs made a comeback to win the Inaugural PSS-NMISA Co-Ed Elementary School Softball Tournament 2024-2025 last May 10 at the Dandan Softball Field.

The Umangs went up against the little sluggers from Kagman Elementary School, and the Blue Marlins had been the only blemish on the Umangs’ erstwhile undefeated record, handing them a 16–10 loss in the opening game of the championship round.

But the Umangs weren’t done. Fueled by grit and drive to win it all, they stormed back in the final showdown and shutout the Blue Marlins, 11-0, to bring the title to the south side.

Tania resets 5,000m record, again

Renowned NMI track star Tania Tan outdid herself once again after resetting the national record for the 5,000m in the Portland Twilight at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon on May 10.

She clocked in at 17:31.19 and finished eighth out of 22 runners. The last time she broke the 5,000m record was in the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands with a time of 18:08.69.

Sean Gil shreds way to top of 3rd Skate Series

Skateboarders tore up the ramps at Saipan Skate Park on a high-energy Saturday during the 3rd Annual Marianas Skate Series 2025, hosted by the Marianas Surf Skate League.

Sean Gil, the original king of the concrete in 2023, came back full throttle—snagging first place once again in the 2-5-3 Expert Competition with a killer score of 199.90.

The 19-year-old landed a kick flip to fakie on the ramp—which was also his favorite trick in the competition, to snag the gold medal. At the end of the final round, he outscored runner up Miles Borja who scored 179.83. Third place went to Patrick Espirito at 62 points.

In the Jam Session for Beginners, Shuman Barman grabbed the top spot with 63.33 points, while second place went to James Lao at 55. Cody Santos rounded up the Top 3 with 46.67 points.

The Game of S-K-A-T-E winner was Borja, while second place was Gil.

Gil said that even though there weren’t as many competitors this year in his division, the competition was still pretty tough. After falling short of first place last year, he was asked what changed this time around. He explained that one of the judges gave them some helpful tips on how to follow the rules more closely, which helped them score better.

When asked why he’s joined three years in a row and what keeps him coming back, Gil said it’s because his friends also join, and the organizers are friendly.

Latte Built celebrates a decade of fitness and inspiration

With music pumping, laughter echoing, and bodies moving through the locally owned Latte Built 24 Hour Gym in Chalan Kanoa, May 10 wasn’t just about fitness—it was a celebration of a decade filled with inspiration, growth, and community.

Owners Derek Cutting, his wife Tania, and their son Makai were joined by community members, loyal gym-goers, staff, and friends for an afternoon of raffles, Zumba, and even beer yoga.

For the Cuttings, this milestone was more than just a business anniversary—it marked years of hard work, passion, and meaningful connections. In his opening remarks, Derek expressed heartfelt gratitude.

Saipan Swim Club corrals community support for trip to HK

Saipan Swim Club’s 13 swimmers have been getting community support for their trip to Hong Kong for an international swim meet on May 22-24.

The team includes swimmers Michael Miller, Savita Sikkel, Gabriel Walsh, Olivia Walsh, Mathew Szeffler, Piper Raho, Nagisa Litulumar, Vince Seman, Jr., Luke Seman, Mia Camacho, Nagi Tenorio, Zeno Iwami, and Lukasz Szefler. They will be joined by coaches Richard Sikkel and Christian Villacrusis.

Recently, they’ve had donations of small cash or items for a raffle fundraiser to be held during the Escape from Managaha event this Saturday.

They got support from Jody O'Sullivan, Adam Walsh, Denise Myers, Kerri Bauer, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan/TSL Foundation, Saipan Bike Pro, Latte Built, Island Skin Solutions, Triple J, Aqua Marine Sports, Blossoms, Hofschneider Surveying, JET Holdings, Aqua Resort, Run Saipan, AK Toyota Lexus, and Marpac.