Sakovich approves of Villagomez’s appointment

Saipan Swim Club co-founder coach Bill Sakovich believes MikeVillagomez is the most qualified to coach SSC at this time.

“He will make an excellent coach, as he is very knowledgeable and knows how to work with swimmers and prepare them for competition, since he was a good competitor himself,” said Sakovich, who coached SSC for the last time in 2004 before handing the reigns to Michael Stewart.

Stewart left the island mid last year and Marianas High School teacher and Masters swimmer Michael Blasberg took over. Villagomez later joined Blasberg as co-coach, before the former finally took over the head coaching post last month.

Sakovich said Villagomez on occasion would work with some of SSC swimmers during his tenure and regularly helped in swim lesson program.

“When he helped us, the swimmers really liked Mike. Mike is a local boy, growing up in Garapan and training at the old Saipan Beach Hotel pool with his two brothers Matt and Richard. He is the first local to be head coach. My wife (Jean) and I have always hoped he would help since he indicated he was interested when he returned to Saipan after finishing school” Sakovich said.

“With Mike at the helm, we feel SSC will become a strong club in the future,” the former SSC head coach added.

Sakovich said besides representing CNMI in various tournaments in the 1980s, Villagomez attended a couple of FINA coaching clinics several years ago.

“He was one of the NMI’s top swimmers, competed in college, then internationally with my son (Jonathan) and won his share of events. He competed in the South Pacific Games, Pan Pacific Games, and World Championships. His best was back and butterfly, and also had a good freestyle. He is also a member of the CNMI Hall of Fame,” Sakovich said.

Villagomez was among the first to be enshrined to the CNMI Sports Hall of Fame in 2004, joining Jean and Bill Sakovich and Tony Rogolifoi on the list.

The Mt. Carmel School alumnus began swimming in 1977 and would later break 16 CNMI records in 1984, the year he was named Male Athlete of the Year.

In 1988, Villagomez enrolled at Vincennes University, Indiana on an athletic scholarship and later on helped his team win a bronze medal in the 4×50 freestyle relay in junior college competitions.