Xenavee inducted into Hall of Fame

Had it not been for the age requirement, the Commonwealth’s best female swimmer Xenavee Pangelinan Torwal had long been inducted into the CNMI Sports Hall of Fame.

Torwal finally got the well-deserved recognition when she joined the elite list last Wednesday during the 2018 Northern Marianas Sports Association/Tan Siu Lin Foundation Annual Sports Banquet at the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. To get inducted into the select group, one has to be at least 35 years old besides making significant contributions to his/her sport.

“It’s great that Xenavee is finally recognized for her outstanding performance in swimming. She did her best every time she raced and represented the CNMI. I am sure she is definitely honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” said Torwal’s father, Victor Pangelinan, who received the award on behalf of her daughter.

Torwal, who turned 35 just last year, still owns more than 20 CNMI age group and nine national records plus three Guam national marks. She represented the Commonwealth in several regional and international events, starting in the late 1990s, making her one of the CNMI athletes with the most medals won in off-island tournaments. The swimmer was so dominant that in one competition (1998 Micronesian Games in Palau) she won 12 gold medals and then the following Micro Games (2002 in Pohnpei), she collected 10 golds and was named Best Female Athlete.

“I’ve never thought that Xenavee could make it really good in swimming because when I brought her to the pool, I just wanted her to learn how to swim for first aid and survival. We are surrounded by water and many people die because of drowning,” Pangelinan recalled.

“Then I was approached by Jeane and Bill Sakovich (Saipan Swim Club founders and the first inductees into the CNMI Hall of Fame) and asked if I wanted to enroll Xenavee to a formal class. That’s where it all started and I thanked them for helping Xenavee become a successful swimmer. The time and effort they spent training Xenavee were very much appreciated by our family, and of course by Xenavee. We would also like to thank Bobby Winkfield for doing the same thing for Xenavee. Our deep gratitude goes to these great coaches,” Pangelinan said.

Torwal could not make it to last week’s awards ceremony, as she is now based in Boise, Idaho, according to Pangelinan. He added that her daughter remains active, going to the gym regularly, while her two sons are also involved in sports.