Youth triumph at 2025 NMSA awards

At the 2025 NMSA Awards Banquet held at the Hibiscus Hall of the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, the islands’ top athletes, coaches, and sports leaders were recognized for a year filled with national records, personal bests, and major milestones on and off island.

Taking center stage were the home-grown young stars. Young but experienced swimmer Frances Raho and first-time wrestler Seth Joshua Sablan were named Female and Male Student-Athletes of the Year. NAIA collegiate swimmer Isaiah Aleksenko, 2024’s Male Student-Athlete of the Year, swam up to claim the 2025 Male Athlete of the Year award, while distance runner Tania Tan ran to her fourth straight Female Athlete of the Year title.

The 16-year-old represented the NMI at the Pacific Games and the World Aquatics Championships, setting several national and age-group records while collecting medals in international meets. She edged out fellow nominees Kaithlyn Chavez (Football), Addalee Taflinger (Athletics), Maria Batallones (Swimming), and LoVel Spaeth (Triathlon and Athletics).

“It feels so surreal—it feels amazing to know that the hard work I put in has an outcome and it feels amazing to get this award especially from the NMI. Getting this award has made me more proud of myself because it made me look back on all of the things I actually did do,” Raho said.

Her proudest moment, she said, was representing the NMI in Australia for the New South Wales competition. “It felt amazing to represent with my team and also work alongside Oceania and all the teams from there, and I loved swimming there. The pool was really nice and the records I got was really amazing.” As for what’s next, she said she’s competing in Fiji in May for the Oceania Championships, with her goal to break more records, get better times, and try new events. She then dedicated her award to her coaches and parents for putting their time and dedication in supporting her and the sport of swimming.

Like Raho, Sablan also made his mark on the regional stage. He made a strong international debut at the Pacific Mini Games, winning gold in the 65kg Greco-Roman division and bronze in the 71kg freestyle event. The 17-year-old stood out in a competitive field that included Theodore Rogers (Athletics), Michael Miller (Triathlon and Swimming), Isaiah Arriola-Mook (Tennis), Victor Nash Santos (Athletics), Kouki Watanabe (Swimming), and Gabriel Walsh (Athletics and Swimming).

“I was really surprised. I didn’t really picture myself up there. But it’s pretty cool,” Sablan said on winning the award. He dedicated his win to God, saying, “Without God, nothing is possible, and with God, all things are possible. I’m just so happy to be blessed with this opportunity to keep on competing and learning and growing through wrestling.”

He is competing this month in freestyle, Greco-Roman, and beach with his goal to get triple gold.

Aleksenko, for his part, won six individual gold medals at the Pacific Mini Games, set multiple national records, and was named NAIA Swimmer of the Year in his first collegiate season. He topped nominees Lyle Andrew (Athletics), Christian Villacrusis (Triathlon), and Shawn Fleming (Bodybuilding).

“Thank you for choosing me as Athlete of the Year. I was proud and honored to represent the NMI over the summer. I can’t wait to represent the CNMI again in Fiji in a couple of weeks. I would like to thank my mom, my family, my coach, Ms. Yuko, and my teammates—without them, this wouldn’t be possible,” Aleksenko said in a video message.

It was deja vu again in the Female Athlete of the Year division as Tan won her fourth straight award. She captured two gold medals at the Pacific Mini Games and reset national records in several distance events throughout the year. Tan faced fellow nominees triathletes Denise Myers, Heather Brook, and Shawna Brennfleck.

“Thank you for nominating and voting for me as your 2025 Female Athlete of the Year. I hope to continue to make you guys proud in future competitions to come,” Tan said in her video greeting.

The Team of the Year award went to beach volleyball duo Logan Mister and Andrew Johnson. The pair earned silver at the Pacific Mini Games and followed that performance with strong finishes at the CBVA Men’s Open and AVC competitions. Other nominees included the U19 National Badminton Team, U20 Women’s National Football Team, the Swimming Male Relay Team, and the Women’s 3x3 Basketball Team.

Behind the scenes, coaches, administrators, and longtime sports figures were also honored. For 2025, two coaches shared Coach of the Year honors—badminton’s Janelle Pangilinan and swimming’s Richard Sikkel. Pangilinan was recognized for leading youth teams to international medals and overseeing year-round development programs, while Sikkel was honored for rebuilding the swimming program and guiding athletes to regional and international success. Also nominated were basketball’s Marlene Lumabi and wrestling’s Rick Bauer.

Meanwhile, swimming federation president John Hirsh was named Administrator of the Year, recognized for more than two decades of leadership. And, the 2025 Hall of Fame inductee was weightlifting president John Davis, who has served as an athlete, coach, official, and federation leader for many years.