The Guam Men’s Basketball Team produced the biggest story of 2015 by winning a gold medal in the Pacific Games, which had also earned them the GSPN 2015 Athlete of the Year award. For the first time in its existence, the GSPN AOY Award went to an entire team.
Previous Winners
2012 – Jon Tuck (MMA)
2013 – Zach Pangelinan (Rugby)
2014 – Eddie ‘Barefoot Bandito’ Vega (Marathon World Record Holder)
GSPN presented the AOY award to the players, head coach EJ Calvo and Guam Basketball President Tony Thompson with each of the members sharing memories of their shining achievement this past summer.
Check out the video of the award presentation below as well as other notable athletes who were considered for GSPN’s prestigious award!
[youtube id=”VGUoIXM92QA” width=”620″ height=”360″]
(video produced by Michael Marriott)
Athlete of the Year Nominees
Benji Schulte – Swimming: The Olympian Benji Schulte was highly considered an AOY top nominee after his stellar performances in the 2015 Pacific Games by bringing Guam a Gold and Silver medal. Schulte lives a competitive simmers lifestyle in being that he trains year-round. Schulte’s next big go-around will be the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next summer.
Regine Tugade – Running: The JFK senior is preparing for her last year of track and field in 2016 after her record breaking year in 2015. Not only did she best her own records in the high school scene, but Tugade also became the fastest woman in Micronesia by breaking the 100m and 200m records at the Oceania Track Championships in the Cook Islands.
Zach Banner – Football: Guam’s Zach Banner, the Pac-12 1st Team Offensive lineman, of the USC Trojans wears his island on his sleeve, literally. A video explanation of Banner’s tattoos on his left arm with his island roots was shared widely from the Guam community and Banner also sports the Guam flag after each and every USC game. Banner presents a realistic chance of having the first ever Chamorro to be drafted and play in the NFL. His recent announcement of him returning to USC for his senior year means the 2017 draft will be a special one to watch for Guam.
Quintin Iriarte – Football: Iriarte’s decision to leave Guam for his senior year in high school worked out tremendously for the young quarterback. The former JFK Islander went under center in 2015 for the Hawaii Ramford Rams and led them to an undefeated season, including a 30-16 title win over Kapaa for the state title. Iriarte elevated his game in the playoffs and threw a memorable 78-yard touchdown pass to give his Rams the lead in the 2nd quarter.
Top 10 Stories of 2015
Don’t forget to check out –> GSPN Top 10 Stories of 2015 <–
