Calobong-Pierce shocked 3,000m record stood so long

Carol Lynn Calobong-Pierce, second from left, with Ty Izuka, Bill Sakovich, and Colin Thompson in the 1995 Guam International Master Championship. (Contributed Photo)

Former CNMI resident Carol Lynn Calobong-Pierce congratulated Tania Tan for breaking her 27-year-old CNMI record in the 3,000m.

“I was shocked my record held for so long. But alas records are made to be broken and I am very excited for Tania to be entered in the CNMI record books now,” she said in a social media message to Saipan Tribune.

Calobong-Pierce along with husband, Richard W. Pierce, called Saipan home for 30 years where they both raised their children who were swimmers trained by Jean and Bill Sakovich and a tennis player coached by Jeff Race.

“I am well during this pandemic. My family and I have been away from Saipan for almost three years now and spent the last year in isolation from COVID-19.”

The 63-year-old said she’s very thankful to be a part of the track and field team in the 1994 Micronesian Games in Guam.

“I trained under John Davis for distance events and my family sacrificed so I could log long runs around the island. I also ran the 1,500 and received the silver in the marathon presented to me by then Superior Court presiding judge Edward Manibusan,” she said.

Calobong-Pierce was not only into running, as she was also an active member of the island’s swimming community.

“I was heavily involved in the Saipan Swim Club on all levels and eventually transitioned to assisting the NMI Swimming Federation under John Hirsh,” she said.

While the Pierces are definitely enjoying retirement, Carol Lynn has continued her passion for swimming and even competed in a masters swimming tournament.

“We are both retired now with nine grandchildren. I have left the administrative side of swimming and am back in the water training with master swimmers. Pre-pandemic I competed in a U.S. Masters National Championships in IM and breaststroke and was swimming 2 1/2 hours a day training for an open water swim.”

Outside of swimming and family, Carol Lynn has also found time to pursue her other passions. “When I’m not visiting family I’m attending Zoom classes, Polynesian dancing, Hawaiian dancing, tap dancing, circuit training, and, yes, learning a new language,” she said.

While she misses friends and family on the island and wishes the CNMI good health and a quick economic recovery, Carol Lynn said what she misses most about island living is the water.

“I miss swimming in the warm Pacific enjoying the journey with the spotted eagle rays. I knew the lagoon like a road map! I’ve swum to Tinian, Managaha, and a 20-kilometer swim from Mariana Resort to Pacific Islands Club.”

Tan broke the CNMI record for the 3,000m with a time of 11:26:54 last April 16 at the Stockton University Invite in Galloway, New Jersey. The Fordham University student’s mark eclipsed the 12:13.9 set by Calobong-Pierce in the aforementioned 1994 Micronesian Games in Guam.

Meanwhile, Tan’s parents, Jerry and Lydia, are proud of their daughter’s latest achievement. “We are proud of her doing well in her running competition,” said Lydia.

“As parents, I am extremely proud of Tania for breaking this CNMI record. She trains very hard every day throughout the years even during bitter cold weather, something an island athlete has to learn to adapt. As everyone knows, U.S. college is highly competitive and Tania is enjoying this challenge. I know she will continue to train hard to hopefully represent the CNMI and do her best at next year’s Pacific Mini Games and Micronesian Games,” said Jerry, who also serves as president of the Northern Marianas Sports Association.