By Michael Cruz
GSPN’s stateside reporter Michael Cruz gives info on some of Guam’s young athletes who are currently competing on state soil. This is the first installment of a two-part series with more off-island athletes to come in Part II!
Football
Matthew Eaton
WR- Played two years at Guam High and transferred to Mississippi. Finished his high school career in at Pascagoula High and signed a letter of intent with FBS school Temple. Eaton’s first season has seen him play mainly on special teams. He is part of receiving corps group of 17 players.
http://www.owlsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7351
Tegan Brown
CB- Brown is the only 2014 Guam graduate from last season pursuing college football. He played from the youth league through four years at Guam High. He is attempting to become the second Nebraska walk-on player from Guam. JFK’s Joe Duenas was the first in 1972.
Juwan Jacobs, Nijee Smith, and Theatris Eaton
The three are playing at Golden West Junior College in Huntington Beach, California. Jacobs a former offensive MVP has had few catches at wide receiver. Smith plays defense and has recorded tackles in some games. Eaton (Matt’s older brother) is continuing to develop. All three took a few years off from the gridiron to mature.
http://www.gwcathletics.com/sports/fball/2014-15/roster?sort=last_name
Tyler Okiyama
The former all island QB is now helping the Piner Prospectors towards a playoff run with two regular season games left. He has combined for nearly 1,103 total yards from scrimmage playing QB, WR, and RB. The Prospectors need to win one of the next two games and their in the playoffs. Tyler is also in consideration for the AIGA Polynesian Bowl.
Kenyon Coker
Coker got his start playing youth football on Guam. He moved to Las Vegas and eventually played for national powerhouse Bishop Gorman graduating this past May. He is currently a redshirt freshman on the Graceland University football team. Coker has bulked up from 175 lbs. to 220 lbs. at 5’10.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/894894/highlights/38724419
Josh Blaz
Born on Guam, Blaz moved to the East Coast and is now a high school senior at Robinson High School. He stands 6’2 and weighs 260 pounds. Blaz has made some recruiting trips to various FCS schools the past few months.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2322194/josh-blaz
Cross-Country/Track
John Aquino
The former JFK standout is a freshman running for Iowa Western Community College. He recently placed 26th with a 5 mile time of 26:37.40 (5:21.40 per mile). Aquino helped the team place 4th at the Fort Hays XC invite.
http://www.goreivers.com/sports/player.asp?sport=cross&int=2351
Aris Springs
Springs is a GW graduate. He is a junior and competes on the Chaminade Silverswords XC team. The third year member recently ran a 34:38 8K race and placed 23rd.
http://goswords.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3720&path=mcross
Flores Santos
Santos is a Notre Dame graduate and current sophomore on the ladies Silverswords XC team. Placed 43rd with a 5k time of 30:48.50 UH Big Wave Invitational.
http://goswords.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3758&path=wcross
Basketball
Michael Sakazaki
Sakazaki will return as a redshirt freshman this upcoming season. He played a few minutes in a few games freshman year. However, he was sidelined with a foot injury in January, which allowed him to claim a redshirt year. Michael bounced back this summer and helped the Men’s claim another Gold at the Micronesian Games. He is one of three forwards on the Chaminade team who will battle for playing time.
http://goswords.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3772&path
Alina Bonto
Ice is continuing her basketball career in California. Bonto is a current freshman at Division 3 Whittier College and will play guard. The Poets open the season at John Hopkins University.
http://www.wcpoets.com/sports/wbkb/2014-15/bios/bonto_alina_wxc5
Kyle Husslein
Kyle will be suiting up for the University of Redlands who happen to play in the same conference as Whittier. Husslein will play the guard position. Redlands first game is an exhibition versus Concordia College.
Bruce Merrill
The former all island guard for FD is in his first year at the Naval Academy. He also made the junior varsity for the Midshipman basketball team.
http://www.navysports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/jv-m-baskbl-mtt-1415.html
Ben Borja Jr.
Big Ben is arguably the most recruited basketball player since Terry Stotts. He already has an offer from Division II Alaska Anchorage. Borja Jr. has a busy schedule with a basketball showcase in Portland on November 2. Ben will also be working out for college scouts on November 8 in Portland. Has the potential to be in Oregon’s top 10 recruits for Class of 2016.
http://www.lcrecruiting.com/news_article/show/435375?referrer_id=1273125
