Athletes of the year, Sports Hall of Fame inductees known tonight

Every year, the Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association has the tough task of determining who among the many notable athletes are deserving of the Athlete of the Year award.

That time of the year is upon us, and NMASA would finally make their announcement this evening during its 2004 Athlete of the Year Banquet at the Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach North Pool Side.

Up for grabs are the NMASA Male and Female Athletes of the Year awards as well as the Male and Female Student Athletes of the Year plums. Coach of the Year will also be acknowledged during the ceremonies.

A cast of legendary sportsmen and women will also be recognized for their accomplishments and contributions to the local sports scene, with NMASA also inducting the newest batch of the Sports Hall of Fame.

Athletes eligible for the prestigious awards are winners of the NMASA Athlete of the Month plums in 2004.

Vying for the Male Athlete of the Year are athletics distance runner Yoshi Suzuki (January); Tony Stearns of sailing (February and September); swimmer Juan Camacho (March); Rezne Wong of swimming (April); Peter Camacho of basketball (May); Tony Celis of baseball (June); Dean Palacios of swimming (July); Tony Ichiuo of athletics (August); Paul Magcalas of basketball (October); Jeremy Winkfield, honored for his efforts in basketball and athletics (November and December).

Nominations for the female award are Nina Mosley of swimming (January); Janet McCullough of sailing (February and September); triathlete Carolyn Pierce (March); swimmer Minerva Cabrera (April); Beverly Igitol of basketball (May and July); Jiovannie Sablan of athletics (August); and Chariss Ruluked of basketball (October).

Meanwhile, student athletes vying for the male crown include Benedicto “Benjie” Decena of tennis (February and May); Pedro Ngotel of volleyball (March); Tony Palacios of baseball (July); Nicolas San Nicolas of baseball (August); Darryl Roligat of athletics (September); Max Braig of triathlon (October); Manuel Ajoste of basketball (November); and Bill Babauta of basketball (December).

Female contenders in the student category include Amanda Johnson of swimming (February and December); Sarah Johnson of triathlon (March); Jillian Majors of swimming (April and October); Nina Mosley of swimming (May); tennis player Kanani Ashraf (August); Reylynn Sapong of athletics (September); and Bo Wang of athletics (November).

Nominees for the Hall of Fame are baseball’s Francisco M. Palacios for administration, athletics’ Kurt Barnes for coaching, tennis’ Irene Alpet for female athlete, and softball’s Tony Satur for male athlete.

All nominees and head of sports organizations are invited to the banquet, expected to begin at 6:30pm.