Anicia sets sights on Olympic dream

The CNMI participating in Olympics may be a long shot, but having a CNMI-born athlete competing in the biggest sports spectacle in the world stands a chance with Anicia Santos aiming to join the U.S. Women’s National Team.

Santos was born on Saipan and left the island with her family in 1999 when she was about to turn 10 years old. Her parents are Roque Santos and Dr. Christine Ebert-Santos who decided to move their family to the mainland to help Carlos, one of Anicia’s four siblings, pursue his football dreams.
A fateful accident prevented Carlos from realizing his dreams.

But not Anicia, who from being a small kid playing various sports on Saipan’s playgrounds, rose to become a member of the California Polytechnic State University (San Luis, Obispo) Women’s Volleyball Team.

The Mustangs are in the NCAA Division I and is ranked No. 14 this season.

Before making it to the Mustangs’ roster, the 6’1” player suited up for the U.S. Youth National Team and played in various tournaments in southeastern Europe in 2006.

“We played in tournaments in Slovenia and Serbia, and also had two international matches against the Slovenian and Croatian youth national teams. We won both games,” the 19-year-old player said in an email to the [I]Saipan Tribune[/I].

“It was an amazing experience to be able to compete at that level and be surrounded by high caliber of athletes who were on my side as well as the opposite side of the net. “Coming from such a small island where I didn’t imagine competitions getting any bigger or better than the SPG. I was completely shocked but honored when I received the invitation, as I was not only able to be a part of the team but was also given a chance to get on the court,” she added.

Santos was a starter for the U.S. Youth National Team during their European tour.

Anicia was also a member of the U.S. Women’s Volleyball Team that took part in this year’s Junior Olympic Girls’ Championships.

Though she admits she misses Saipan, especially its less-crowded beaches, she was thankful that her family moved to the U.S mainland.

“Had I not left Saipan at a younger age I believe I would not have been ready to seize that opportunity, but with such a solid background I was able to move on and create a life here that I can take to great levels,” said Santos, who studied at Saipan Community School and Sister Remedios Preschool.

“Several years ago I would have never guessed how far I could have gone in this sport. I was a small island girl and to me Saipan was the world and I probably would never have left or had that opportunity if I had stayed. I am grateful for the culture I was brought up and the principles I learned early on on Saipan, such as respect, work ethic, and love for your family,” she added.

When she finishes college, Santos looks forward to joining a professional team in Europe or playing in the AVP.

“Or perhaps even join the U.S. National Team,” Santos said.

If Santos makes the team and the U.S. spikers qualify for the Olympics, Santos will be the first CNMI athlete to become an Olympian.

The CNMI is not a member of the Olympic family thus it can not send athletes directly to the quadrennial meet. A CNMI athlete can only play in the Olympics if he tries out for a U.S. team and gets selected.

The Commonwealth’s membership to the Olympic family is considered a long shot due to its political union with the U.S.