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Top athletes, DPS, Olympics are talks of the week
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Posted on Feb 19 2005
The past week was pretty busy in the local sports scene, with the Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association crowning its top athletes and coach of 2004, as well as inducting four legends into the CNMI Sports Hall of fame, while the Department of Public Safety II completed its successful run in the Inter Government Basketball League.
The week was also highlighted with a brief visit by William Tucker of Tucker and Associates, who disclosed that based on a recent assessment, sports facilities in the Marianas are feasible to serve as training sites for athletes during acclimating training for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Four athletes, a coach, and four legendary individuals were recognized for their efforts and achievements Thursday night at the Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach during the NMASA Athlete of the Year banquet.
Tony Stearns of sailing and basketball’s Beverly Igitol were named male and female athletes of the year, tennis’ Benjie Decena and Bo Wang of athletics bagged male and female student athletes of the year awards, two-sport star Elias Rangamar was honored as the 2004 Coach of the Year.
NMASA also recognized and honored softball Tony Satur, tennis’ Irene Alpet (posthumous), baseball’s Francisco M. Palacios, and athletics’ Kurt Barnes for their lifetime achievements and contributions to local sports, and were inducted to the prestigious Hall of Fame.
DPS II swept the Department of Labor in the Inter Government Basketball League finals, capping their impressive run with a 107-103 win in overtime Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
Ed Diaz was crowned as championship most valuable player, Rangamar as regular season MVP, and Elias Saralu as scoring champion.
Meanwhile, the waters off the shores of Mirco Beach were pretty busy with the start of the 2005 Marianas Open, the Lost Boys dropped their second match of the Island Wide Volleyball League at the hands of the Chuukanos, the draw for the 2005 Coconut Classic Tennis Tournament was set, Elmer Guzman returned as the president of the Filipino-American Tennis Association, and the BANMI 25-and-Under Basketball League got underway.
