The Sports Leigh-Out Oct. 3-9, 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.

Manglona helps U.S. Air Force reclaim Desert Duals championship title

LAS VEGAS–Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Keli Mendiola Mangloña defeated a 10-time American national wrestling champion to help his five-member team, U.S. Air Force, in dethroning defending champions U.S. Marine Corps Team at this year’s Desert Duals 3: Battle of Branches held at the Silverton Hotel & Casino’s Veil Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Mangloña lost on a referee’s decision to a formidable opponent from the U.S. Army Team in his first match, but his team’s overall score against the Army secured them a spot in the grappling championship against the Marines.

In the championship, Mangloña came back strong by winning via referee’s decision against Jake Clark, who is an Olympic wrestler qualifier. His other three Air Force Team members defeated their respective opponents to recapture the Desert Duals championship title.

With the victory, Air Force became the tournament’s first-ever two-time champions.

Desert Duals is a fast-paced team-based Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) tournament where active-duty service members, reservists, and veterans from the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, go head-to-head. The team winners received individual trophies and other prizes.

Mangloña said he had a great opportunity to join the Air Force Team going to victory.

“We were able to execute our mission and came up victorious again for the second time. Two-time Air Force Team champions at Desert Duals: Battle of Branches here in Las Vegas, Nevada,” he said in an interview shortly after the event.

Mangloña said the reason why he loves Desert Duals is because they give a platform to U.S. military service members–veterans, active duty, reservists, and those who served in the past in any capacity.

“They give us a platform here to come out and show our skills in a form of combat sports. Great, great, great event!,” he said as he thanked Desert Duals founder and president Bryce Harley.

He said his strategy was to try to come up with submissions, but he lost his first match on a referee’s decision to a great opponent from the Army.

Read the full story on our website.

Track & Field facility closed on Oct. 10-12 due to repairs

The Northern Marianas Sports Association (NMSA) said in a public notice that the track and field facility at the Oleai Sports Complex will be closed from Saturday, Oct. 10, through Monday, Oct. 12, for repairs to areas damaged by previous typhoons.

“Please do not enter or use the track and/or field area during this period,” the NMSA notice states. The notice is also posted around the track and field facility.

According to NMSA’s Janelle Pangilinan, crews will repair damage to the track turf and surrounding areas and allow the surface to fully dry before the facility reopens.

Pangilinan said that after Super Typhoon Sinlaku, cleanup was done at the facility, including removing debris. The fencing surrounding the track that had fallen was also put back in place. As for the field, they leveled the surface and filled holes with sand. Meanwhile, she said the surrounding lights are not facing the right direction, with more than 12 still broken.

NMSA thanked everyone for their understanding and cooperation.

For more information, contact NMSA at 1(670) 234-4672, marianassports@gmail.com, or through its Northern Marianas Sports Association social media accounts.

U13, U15 baseball teams raising funds for Philippines tourney

A two-team delegation of U13 and U15 baseball players from the CNMI is seeking community support to compete in the Kalayaan Baseball International Open, set for Dec. 26-31, 2026, in the Philippines.

The new travel baseball program is under Perfect Game Saipan Baseball Inc., which operates under the newly formed Asian Oceania Pacific Baseball and Softball Program. The tournament is expected to bring teams from throughout the Philippines, along with international teams from Japan, Korea, Palau, and Guam.

For the CNMI program, the trip could also be the start of something bigger. Organizers hope to eventually bring international baseball tournaments to Saipan, giving local players more opportunities to compete while also helping promote sports tourism in the CNMI.

But first, the teams need help getting to the Philippines. Organizers are reaching out to local businesses, community leaders, families and others in the community for support. In an interview with organizers at the Marianas Batting Alley on Oct. 5, they said the delegation is looking to raise about $40,000 to $50,000.

There are no specific fundraising dates announced yet, but anyone interested in supporting the delegation can contact Kat Coldeen at (670) 483-0017. The teams can also be found practicing either at the Marianas Batting Alley during rainy days or at the Susupe baseball fields.

The U13 team roster includes Roque Camacho, Nate Nekai, Dylan Barcinas, Nox Sablan, Chance Reyes, Nathaniel Neth, John Damian Sablan, Khoen Torres, Sam Ngiraked, Legend Coldeen, Elijah Babauta, Josh McDonald, Dayton Marchadesch, and Gavin Deleon Guerrero. The U13 manager is Bobby Coldeen Jr., with head coach Nick Nekai Jr. and coaches Ian Norita and Andy Camacho.

The U15 team roster includes Aiden Lizama, Caleb Cabrera, Donray Barcinas, Eric Palacios Jr., Ethan Dikito, Jarell Herman, John Fred, Josh Lizama, Kainoa Tenorio, Kaleb Reyes, Kayden Lizama, Leighton Tomokane-Tenorio, Liam Sablan, Payton Pangelinan, Preston Santos, Tatum Jones, Tiwsormal Taisakan, and Zekiel Falig. The U15 manager is Chuck Cabrera, with head coach Eric Palacios and coaches Benji Palacios Jr., Jeremiah Deleon Guerrero and Alvin Takai.

FMS to face off against HMS in boys hoops champs

The championship round of the PSS-NMIBF Boys Middle School Basketball League is set with top seeded Hopwood Middle School going up against defending champs Francisco M. Sablan Middle School, while the third place game is Dandan Middle School vs. Chacha Oceanview Middle School. Games are this morning at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

GCA, MCS, RHI undefeated in girls HS v-ball

Grace Christian Academy, Mount Carmel School, and Dr. Rita H. Inos High School are undefeated in the PSS-NMIVA Girls High School Volleyball League.

Results from 10/7:

GCA vs. MHS: 21-14, 21-16

SSHS II vs. MCS II: 21-8, 24-22, 15-9

Results from 10/9:

KHS II vs. MHS III: 22-21, 21-8

SIS II vs. MCS II: 14-21, 21-19, 15-13

MCS vs. KHS: 22-20, 21-14

SIS vs. ACS: 21-12, 23-21, 15-7

MHS II vs. KHS II: 21-12, 6-21, 15-7

SCS leads girls MS soccer

Saipan Community School sits atop the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Girls Middle School Soccer League standings with three wins, one draw, and one loss, after their 4-0 win over Francisco M. Sablan Middle School on Oct. 8 at the NMI Soccer Training Center. LoVel Spaeth scored two of their goals, while Scarlett Burrell and Nadine Van Dam added one each.

Results from 10/8:

SCS vs. FMS: 4-0

DMS vs. COVMS: 3-1

Results from 10/6:

SCS vs. SIS: 1-1

TMS vs. COVMS: 5-0

15th DC Classic on Oct. 10

A few months late due to two super typhoons that hit the CNMI, the Dee Clayton Classic and Northern Marianas Bodybuilding Federation are finally moving forward with their 15th DC Classic and NMBF Competition on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The evening show starts at 5pm, with doors opening at 4pm. Ticket prices are $25.

This year’s event will feature about 17 competitors in Teen Bodybuilding, Teen Physique, Teen Fitness, Teen Performance, Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Master’s Physique, Women’s Bodybuilding, Figure, Bikini, Fitness, Fitness Pageant, Mixed Pairs, Fitness Performance, and Wellness.

In the 2025 competition at the Saipan World Resort, Pacific Islands Club intern Evan Choi claimed top honors as the overall winner in the Men’s Physique division, while Shawn Fleming took home the Men’s Bodybuilding title. Christina Tudela emerged as the Women’s Overall Champion.

Reaching the 15th year is something the federation sees as a major accomplishment.

“Best accomplishment for the organization, our athletes and our island community,” Dee Clayton said.

The event continues to receive support from local businesses and organizations, including Gold’s Gym, LatteBuilt Fitness & Nutrition, World Resort Saipan, Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Coca-Cola, Foremost, MEGA Byte, Top Notch, IslandTouch by Philip, Ana Glusko Studio, MarPac, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Saipan & Northern Islands Municipal Council, RZ, 670 Xtreme Fitness, D&Q, and DYS.

HS baseball regular season wraps up due to rain

The Inaugural PSS-SBL High School Baseball League regular season wrapped up yesterday, Friday, Oct. 9, due to heavy rain causing the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field to flood.

In an email by PSS Athletic Programs Director Nick Gross, he said, “I apologize on behalf of mother nature. Due to heavy rainfall recently, we have no other choice but to CANCEL today's scheduled games. After inspecting field conditions, taking inventory of available assistance / resources and the time required to attempt to make the field suitable for play, we have made the difficult decision to CANCEL play.

Due to the limited time remaining prior to Tournament play commencing on Wednesday, Oct. 14 and the fact that there is little-to-no chance the field will be playable tomorrow, even if no further rain occurs and the fact that there is no school Monday and Tuesday, we have officially ended regular season play.

We will work on finalizing season standings and updating all with the Tournament schedule ASAP so that you and your teams can prepare adequately.

Please note that ALL teams must be present for the Opening Ceremony and parade of Teams on Wednesday, Oct 14.  Currently, we have this brief event scheduled to occur between the 2nd and 3rd game (approximately 7pm).

Please extend our sincere apologies to the players and best of luck with Tournament preparations!”