Spate of sports cancellations due to Tropical Depression 20W

Saipan International School 2 player spikes the ball over the net against Marianas High School 2 in their NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Girls High School Volleyball League 2021-2022 game Tuesday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. Matches yesterday were cancelled due to Tropical Depression 20W. (Mark Rabago)

This weekend’s expected sports extravaganza has gone up in smoke as Tropical Depression 20W has cancelled a spate of interscholastic sports and the start of singles and doubles badminton this weekend.

Yesterday, Public School System athletic program director Nick Gross postponed all six games in the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Girls High School Volleyball League 2021-2022 season at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

“Out of an abundance of caution and in hopes that all can be informed and make alternative plans, we will be postponing today’s (Sept. 23) volleyball due to the unknowns pertaining to Tropical Depression 20W,” he said in an email to all coaches.
Gross said they will only know today, Friday, whether matches for Saturday will push through.

The Northern Marianas Athletics also cancelled tomorrow’s third PSS/NMA Cross Country Qualifying Invitational at the CPA Airport Field.

“We are all disappointed by the weather. Although it will probably be fine to run on Saturday morning, we all felt it was better to cancel out of an abundance of caution,” said NMA distance running coach Ron Snyder.

He said the postponement of the third qualifier, which NMA was hosting, will necessitate a rescheduling of the third meet. However, the fourth and final qualifier hosted by Kagman High School will still push through—weather permitting—on Oct. 2.

“We will be meeting to discuss the meets going forward next week. Right now, we are getting ready for the KHS-hosted meet at Saipan Vegas on Oct. 2. The coach (KHS coach Nick Brennfleck) and I will be braving the weather to measure the course tomorrow,” added Snyder.

The Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation also heeded Gross’ guidance and will also postpone today’s IT&E Interscholastic Girls Middle School Basketball League at the MHS Gymnasium. NMIBF said they will reset their five-game schedule today after the regular season.

After postponing the start of the TakeCare Open Tournament last week, Northern Marianas Badminton Association was also forced to cancel this evening’s start of the TakeCare Insurance Company Inc.-sponsored tournament. Tournament director Janelle Pangelinan said inclement weather also forced their hand in postponing the start of the competition, which also saw a venue change from the TSL Gymnasium in Gualo Rai to the Gilbert C. Gymnasium in Oleai.