Stearns, Igitol are top athletes for 2004

Sailing’s Tony Stearns and basketball’s Beverly Igitol outshone every athlete last night after being crowned the Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association’s top athletes for 2004 during its Athlete of the Year banquet at the Dai-ichi Hotel Saipan Beach.

Also taking home prestigious honors were Benjie Decena of tennis and athletics Bo Wang of athletics, both honored as student athletes of the year, while longtime multi-sport coach Elias Rangamar was named 2004 Coach of the Year.

Both Stearns and Igitol had a memorable year as their performances garnered two Athlete of the Month awards, with Stearns bagging the awards in February and September and Igitol shining in May and July.

In February, Stearns teamed up with Janet McCullough and competed in the Hobie 16 Philippines Nationals, winning the Masters Division and placing fourth overall in the 22-team field.

The two then competed in the 5th Annual Hobie 16 Philippine Challenge that featured an elite international field, winning a leg over the defending champions from Australia en route to taking second place overall.

Stearns and McCullough also placed third overall in the Inshore Series, and were crowned champions of the Saipan Laguna Regatta, which also drew competition from international teams.

Stearns continued to have spectacular performances, and with McCullough, placed second overall in the 32nd Annual Japan Hobie 16 National Championship at Lake Hamana, near Nagoya, Japan, which included a cast of 23 teams.

The two placed first, second, and fourth in three races and narrowly missed placing first overall. The two competed in the Japan championships for the 11th time. Their second- place finish was their best performance there ever.

“I’m very surprised,” a visibly happy Stearns said shortly after receiving his Taga stone-replica trophy. “I had no idea I was going to win. It’s great to have recognition.”

Stearns also credited his long-time partner for his success.

“I really enjoy sailing and Janet and I have been sailing together for nearly 20 years and we’ve done a lot of international competitions and we really do enjoy it. It’s a great sport and a lot of fun, and we’ve certainly done well over the past few years, which feels great but its nice to recognized for it.”

Meanwhile, Igitol is no stranger to success, making a name for herself in the past years behind her leadership on the hardcourt, as well as her ability to shred defenses with her ball-handling skills, velvety shooting touch, and her never-say-die attitude.

Igitol is currently off-island and was not available to receive her trophy. A relative was handed the award in her stead.

In May, Igitol spearheaded Mobil to a perfect 9-0 record and a runner-up finish in the 2004 Mobil Oil Marianas Co-ed Invitational Basketball League, averaging over 30 points per outing en route to claiming MVP honors.

She also played on the CNMI National Women’s Team that finished a strong third in the 3rd Micronesian Basketball Tournament. Igitol led the team in scoring and was a bulwark in defense, soldiering on despite a tragedy in the family weeks before.

In 2003, Igitol led the Micronesia 22-and-under Tournament in Palau in scoring, and propelled her squad to a bronze medal finish as well. For her efforts, she was selected to the tournament’s All-Star team.

For his part, 10-year-old Decena of Tinian took the tennis courts by storm and was recognized as Male Student Athlete of the Month for February and May.

The youth standout played in his first tournament in February, competing in the 2004 Coconut Classic. He proved he was more than ready to break into the sports scene, leaving the tourney with two titles after winning the boys’ 10-and-under title and the mixed doubles plum with tennis legend Jeff Race.

The Coconut Classic was just a start for Decena, who came back strong in May and continued his winning form in the DFS Micronesian Tennis Championships.

Decena had his game face on, going undefeated once more to win his third straight boys’ 10-and-under title. Aside from the Coconut Classic and the DFS titles, Decena also claimed the UMDA-CNMI Junior Tennis Championships in April.

He was also selected to the CNMI National Junior Tennis team that competed in the boys’ 14-and-under division in the ITF-North Pacific Qualifying event last June.

“I feel great,” said Decena after receiving his trophy. “My hard work is finally paying off and I’m going to continue to work hard. I wasn’t sure I was going to win, so I’m very happy.

As for 15-year-old Wang, a student at Marianas High School, she ruled the 18-and-under middle distance events in both road races and track meets.

She was selected Female Student Athlete of the Month for November after winning the annual All-Schools Cross Country Championships girls’ 18-and-under division and led the MHS Dolphins to the team title.

Wang’s moment on the spotlight was not over as she also ruled the 4.2-mile Turkey Trot Fun Run from the Department of Public Works beach in Lower Base to the peak of Mount Tapochao.

She was also selected to represent the Commonwealth in the Oceania Open and Under 18 Athletics Championships in Australia.

“I’m very happy but I also have to say thank you to coach [Dan] Kimball and [Bobby] Winkfield, and also to my mom and my dad,” said Wang. “I have a wonderful family and I love them. I will keep running until I go to college in the U.S.”

Rangamar has had a long line of success not only as a player, but as a coach as well.

The Chalan Lau Lau resident, who is well respected throughout Oceania, opened the way for many athletes in both basketball and athletics, providing fatherly guidance through relentless effort. He also serves on both boards of the Northern Marianas Islands Track and Field Association and the Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The two-sport star is the only Level II certified coach in both basketball and athletics in the entire Commonwealth and is considered a master in developing young athletes not only through his direct teachings, but also through the assistance he’s given to many other coaches.

“I have never seen an individual more concerned not only for athletes to do their best ability, but also with getting people of all ages involved,” said Kurt Barnes, NMITFF president. “Elias is a workaholic and the CNMI is a better place because of his hard work and effort.”

NMASA also honored Athlete of the Month winners in the four categories but certificates for them, as well as Rangamar’s award, were not made in time for the awards ceremony.

The sports governing body’s president Michael White said the certificates and the 2004 Coach of the Year trophy will be handed out on a later date.

The banquet was sponsored by Saipan Tribune and Tan Holdings Foundation.