All Stars off to Series highlights week

The best youth hard-ballers in the CNMI boarded a plane destined for the mainland Thursday morning to put the islands on the map in the Junior and the Senior Little League World Series.

For the fourth straight year, the Junior League World Series will feature a squad from the CNMI as Jesse Borja, Shane Yamada, Jesus Iguel, Vince Sablan, Martin Pangelinan, Josh Arriola, Joe Salas, Thorn Sablan, Ryan Ada, Jonathan Salas, Kevin Babauta, Nicolas San Nicolas, Nunu Kapileo, and Juan Tenorio set off to represent not only the Commonwealth but the entire Pacific region in Taylor, Michigan.

Oliver Secharmidal, Antione Allen, Tony Palacios, Franco Flores, Ben Tasikan, Tyrone Omar, Dan Concepcion, Jeff Saures, Zachary Concepcion, Derrick Babauta, Jesse Garcia, Thomas Guerrero, Many Ada, Peter Tenorio, and their manager Jess Wabol represents the Pacific in the Senior League segment in Bangor, Maine and will compete with Canada and regions of the United States.

Also, because of better cooperation by Mother Nature, the American Memorial Park tennis courts were full of action as the 2004 Verizon Tennis Cup continued to heat up.

Spectators were able to feast their eyes on intense competition in both the Mixed Doubles and Singles.

The 2004 National Track and Field Championships also drew heat in its action, with veteran sprinter Tony Ichiuo and youngster Jiovannie Sablan dominating the sprint events. Also making splashes were throwers Mel Tagabuel, Micronesian Game record holder Dolores Rangamar, distance runners Robin Eugenio and Jung Young Kim, and determined runners Vince Riley and Earl Warren.

Action in the Saipan Rotary Summer Youth Basketball League also continued with Makos bouncing back from their first loss to beat the Junior Nationals on Monday, while the Sixers I defeated the 69ers II by well over 100 points. The 69ers I also posted a lopsided victory over the Sixers II, and as a result, ranked among the top three teams in the league. The G-Rollers I currently top the standings with the perfect 5-0 card, while the Sixers I and 69ers I are right on their tail with perfect records of their own.

The 2004 UFO-San Miguel Cup also intensified with three games over the past weekend. (with Brad Ruszala)