CNMI va’a clubs in Guam for Micronesia Cup

The CNMI’s va’a clubs under the Northern Marianas National Paddling Sports Federation—the Saipan Paddling Club, Marianas Outrigger Club, and Marianas Pacific Paddlers—sent teams down south to Guam for the 23rd Annual Micronesia Cup Canoe Race that will be held today until Sunday, Oct. 22.

They are competing against paddlers from Micronesia at the waters off Matapang Beach, Tumon. The categories are V1 open, V6 Jr. sprints, V6 open sprints, and marathon.

SPC women’s team includes Teresa Sablan, Erryne Dasalla, Cassandra Sumor, Ava Benavente, Eva Weaver, Vinalynn Oronigo, Gracie Mendiola, Guillerma Chong, Jenisha Dubrall, Tianna Aldan, Sydney Madden, Zoe Lee, and Danielle Formalejo.

SPC men’s team is made up of Carter Calma, Joseph Weaver, Joseph Plunkett, Manuelito Rey, Justin Andrew, Tyler Andrew, Yu Chai, Michael Peters, Terry Ruben, Mitchell Kukkun, Phillip Aldan, and Willie Cabrera.

MPP’s team includes Jasseline Seman, Arielle Buyum, Shelli Neal, Joannie Reyes, Frances “Shine” Santos, Vina Seelam, Solly Takai, Molly Dennert, Amanda Santos, Carmilynn Ogumoro, Mardee Hermosilla, Maggy Moussalem, Max Garcia, Selmalyn Lopez Taitano, Shirley Ann Taitano Deleon Guerrero, and Nina Manglona.

SPC has five teams: a junior boy team (only sprints); junior girl team (only sprints); open men’s team(sprints and distance); open women’s team(sprints and distance); and a mixed team(sprints and distance).

They have six V1 racers in the open category: Tyler Andrew, Phillip, Calma, Mendiola, Oronigo, and Dubrall.

For MOC, the men’s team consists of Tim Asaivao, Jose Quan, Billy Grow, Richard Sikkel, Jason Tarkong, Steve Beyer, Dan Taitano, and Jovano Taitano.

MOC’s women’s team includes Elaine Sablan, Lori Rabe, Bonny Grow, Olivia Tenorio, Pipit Ball, Vicky Takai, Ayessa Teryama, Momoko Halstead, and Annrita Benavente. The managers with them are Ta’ann Demapan and Sakura Halstead.

As president of NMNPSF, Justin Andrew said, “I am so happy to see full participation from our NMI outrigger paddlers and their clubs to support our Guam paddling sister clubs and their members. Way to represent the NMI and their respective clubs. The NMNPSF wishes everyone the best.”

As an athlete and president of SPC, he said, “I am also excited to have SPC show full force here to race. We have seven junior boys and seven junior girls, six young adult women, and five adult men. This is an opportunity for our young athletes to enjoy the races, learn more about the sport, and make new friends.”

He added that many of the SPC junior paddlers are members of the NMI Va’a National Team for the Pacific Games at the Solomon Islands.

Asaivo, MOC president and paddler, said, “After a successful local race season the team is excited to compete in Guam waters against other island nations like Guam, Palau, Yap, Pohpnei. We couldn’t have asked for better preparation leading into MicroCup.”

Asaivo added, “The team’s chemistry is good and I feel we’re peaking at the right time. This will be the first time to compete in the Mix Crew category this year which is a testament to the growth of our sport. MOC would like to thank the support of our families and sponsors for making this possible and best of luck to the other Saipan teams competing, Saipan Paddling Club and Marianas Pacific Paddlers.”

MPP left for Guam today as they do not have junior paddlers. Buyum, in place of MPP president Maria Ornes who is off-island, said “Marianas Pacific Paddlers is very excited to be entering two boats into the women’s V6 competition. We have 16 athletes competing, eight in each crew. Of the 16, this will be the first off island competition for 14 of them. MPP is proud to grow the sport and give these athletes their first opportunity to paddle competitively. It is a testament to the dedication and commitment of these athletes. We could not be prouder of their growth and development over the season all under the skillful training of coach Eddie Johnson.”