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Schorr, Miyawaki honored
Robbie Schorr, seen here in action during the 2014 CNMI Junior Championships at the Kanoa Resort early this year, was chosen as the NMSA Student Athlete of the Month for June, sharing the honors with fellow junior player Malika Miyawaki. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
Schorr and Miyawaki’s recognition came in late as Northern Marianas Sports Association failed to hold a meeting last month due to its preparation for the 8th Micronesian Games. Selections for the June awardees were made only last Thursday and done simultaneously with the July winners. The two junior netters earned NMSA’s nod after their impressive showing in the 2014 North Pacific Regional Championship in Guam held from June 9 to 14.
Schorr ruled both the boys U12 singles and doubles events of the annual competition, prevailing against players from Guam, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia. In the singles event, he topped the Group A of the pool play with an unbeaten record, allowing no more than two points to his opponents and winning all matches via straight sets.
The Grace Christian Academy student continued his winning ways in the playoff round, beating Guam’s Elijah Ziegler in the quarterfinals, 6-0, 6-1, to set up a semis showdown with fellow CNMI player Aditya Rai. Schorr went on to eliminate Rai, 6-1, 6-1, and capped his perfect run in the regional championship with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over another CNMI bet Ken Son. With the victory, the 11-year-old Schorr, who teamed up with Song in winning the doubles crown, is ranked No.1 in his age group in the North Pacific.
Miyawaki is also the top-ranked player in the girls U12 division in the region, following her equally outstanding performance in the tournament in Guam.
She was unscathed in three games in the elimination round to place first in Group A. Of her six straight sets win, the Saipan International School student earned four shutout victories and gave up no more than two points to her opponent. In the playoff round, which was incidentally an all-CNMI battle, Miyawaki ousted Asia Raulerson, 6-0-6-1, and then downed Conatsu Kaga, 6-4, 6-4, to secure the age group crown.
In the doubles, Miyawaki partnered with Conatsu and they swept their way to the title win, prevailing in three matches, gaining straight set victories, and posting a 37-9 games won/loss record.
Meanwhile, both Miyawaki and Schorr are members of the North Pacific Team that is heading to Fiji this week to compete in the 2014 Pacific Oceania Junior Championships. Eight other CNMI bets are on the team. The list includes Tania Tan, Julia Ishikawa, Ami Tsukagoshi, Luther Lizama, Colin Ramsey, Song, Kaga, and Raulerson.
