Bright future ahead for NMI triathlon

KOROR, Palau—Stephan Samoyloff has always been an individual who everyone knows as a triathlete representing the Commonwealth in various events.

After playing another key role in Team CNMI’s gold medal charge in the team competition of 2005 Palau South Pacific Mini Games aquathon, the veteran stressed that earning the medal marked a perfect exit out of the CNMI.

“It’s good,” he said after combining with teammates Anneka Sakovich and Dirk Sharer for a time of 4:07:07. “It’s a fantastic way to say goodbye to the CNMI, and it makes me feel good that we’re leaving the team in great shape, so the team has a great future too.”

Samoyloff captained the team, which also comprised of women’s bronze medalist Melissa Coleman, as well as Ketson “Jack” Kabiriel and Natasha Good.

“I think we’re handing it off with things looking good for the CNMI coming up,” he said, citing that the three newcomers have a bright future ahead of them.

Meanwhile, Sakovich, who also struck gold in the individual competition with a time of 1:21:03, expressed similar feelings on the future of CNMI triathlon, recognizing the efforts of Kabiriel, Coleman, and Good.

“Considering they’ve just started a few months ago, I think they’re doing great and got a lot of potential, especially coming from a swimming background, as you may have seen just by the results, swimmers have an advantage getting a lead in the water, so I think its very promising and I hope they stick to it and we could keep a strong triathlon team for future Games.”

Good and Coleman are experienced swimmers under the Saipan Swim Club, while Kabiriel is a former distance runner.

“The competition was tough,” Coleman said shortly after receiving her medals. “I just wanted to beat a lot of the people here but actually I really surprised myself because I beat a lot of the Guam…they only brought five and I beat three of them and I caught a lot on the swim, so it was a really good advantage having the swim on my side.”

Sharer also acknowledged the three, as well as the effort of the entire team.

“The team did absolutely great,” he said. “I was really happy. Stephan and I are the two older guys so we try to set a good example and bring everybody along and the girls came a long real well, and Anneka was just rock out dynamite and it was really nice to see Melissa end up with the bronze medal because she’s work really hard and Jack and Natasha were fantastic…it was just a great team effort.”