‘Micro Cup sweep to generate more interest’

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, fifth left, and House Speaker Rafael Demapan, third right, join Marianas Outrigger Club members led by coach Dino Manning, fourth left, in last week’s meeting at the Governor’s Office Conference Room. (Jon Perez)

Marianas Outrigger Club coach Dino Manning is hoping their sweep in last month’s Micro Cup 2016 in Palau would further generate more interest in the sport. MOC paddlers made history in Palau after winning the 500 and 1,500-meter sprints and the 12-mile long distance event at the Meyuns Seaplane Ramp in Koror.

It was the first time that a team from the CNMI or a team competing in the Micro Cup, for that matter, had swept all three events. “We’ve been told that no men’s team swept all the events. It is the first time that a men’s team had done it in the 18-year history of the Micro Cup,” said Manning.

MOC paddlers clocked 2:08.56 in the 500, 7:31.85 in the 1,500, and 1:28:16 in the grueling and lung-busting long distance race to beat three other CNMI squads and teams from Guam, Palau, and Hong Kong. Napu Outrigger Canoe Club, Marianas Pacific Paddlers, and Saipan Paddling Club are the other CNMI teams.

“A lot were surprised with our performance. That’s why we are hoping that our feat could further catapult the sport,” said Manning after joining his other club members in meeting Gov. Ralph DLG Torres where the CNMI’s chief executive gave all four canoe clubs from the Commonwealth $5,000 each.

“There’s a big growth in junior paddling right now, especially a lot of high school age kids. People are looking at us after our performance. We can attract more junior paddlers who would be inspired and say to themselves, ‘We could do the same if we train hard.’ We hope it would motivate more people to get involved.”

With the Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization races cancelled the next big event is the Timmy Would Go at the end of January where a Guam team would be competing. “The challenge here is to have more frequent races, especially for the youth,” said Manning.

Torres, who also handed out plaques of appreciation, congratulated the MOC team for their historic feat. “Thank you very much for your efforts in representing the CNMI. Your achievement also helps the promotion of our islands. We are hoping the sport would continue to grow.”

House Speaker Rafael Demapan (R-Saipan) was also present in last week’s presentation where he also represented Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation chair John Paul Sablan (R-Saipan).

MOC’s men’s crew was also named the Northern Marianas Sports Association’s Team of the Month winners for October. Jack Kabiriel, Vince Tudela, Jose Quan, Bobby Cruz, Angel San Nicolas, Billy Grow, Rich Salas, and James Lee joined Manning on the team.

Manning is also planning to compile all times of the races from the different hosts of the Micro Cup in order to have an official record book. “The records are sporadic and we’re trying to figure out the times from the different hosts. A lot of the records that exist are from the time when the CNMI hosted the Micro Cup. The same goes for Palau and Guam.”

“My mission now is to get all the time records and compile it. So we could have this information available. We should be able to say if a team that performed well that their time is a new record. Right now, we don’t have it. It will be hard but there are people who would help me.”