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Aughenbaughs return from Palau vacation
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Posted on Aug 20 2008
Saipan’s Aughenbaugh siblings—Elijah, Charity, and Kevin—recently returned from a summer to remember after taking part in the first-ever Palau 18-under games while vacationing in their mother’s home island.
The Inaugural Belau 18-and-Under Youth Games ran from July 14 through 19 on Babeldaob Island in Ngardmau State, Palau.
According to Aughenbaugh patriarch, Keith, their Palau vacation was a wonderful experience for all 11 members of the family who traveled to Ngardmau State this summer as they were able to watch various sporting events in Koror with fellow relatives and village residents.
“For the siblings—Elijah, Charity, and Kevin—to represent their grandmother Mechelins’ (Kumangai) village of Ngardmau in the Games and be teammates with various cousins was something special they will remember for years to come,” he said in an email to the Saipan Tribune.
He added that Inaugural Belau 18-and-Under Youth Games was an excellent preview to the 2010 Micronesian Games in two years when athletes from the island-nations of the region will congregate in Palau once again.
As far as the competition went, Charity Aughenbaugh’s volleyball team ended up with the bronze medal, while Eli Aughenbaugh’s baseball team lost in the semifinals and then in the consolation game to take fourth place in baseball.
The elder Aughenbaugh said five games in five days took its toll on the baseball players. On a bright note, Eli Aughenbaugh wound up going 11-for-19 at the plate.
Meanwhile, Kevin Aughenbaugh unfortunately was ill the day of the 800m and could not compete.
“But all in all, it was a real special experience for all three of them to compete with relatives from the village in Ngardmau State (with the tallest waterfall and highest mountain in Palau). There are only a couple hundred people living in the village; a very close knit community,” said Keith Aughenbaugh.
Teams representing the states of Ngardmau, Anguar, Pelilieu, Aimeliik, Ngwail, and Sonsorol participated in the weeklong event in track and field, baseball, volleyball, basketball, and paddling.
