By Patrick Lujan
A pair of Guam sons are making the most of their baseball skills in Virginia.
Shane Arceo (18): Bill Gates Millennium Scholar and college baseball commitment
Matt Arceo (15): Finalist for the U16 USA Baseball Team
Both accomplishments deserve a stand-alone story and are very impressive, but in this case, the brothers are happy to share the spotlight.
Baseballs didn’t fall far from the tree. Their father Jerry Arceo was a star in the Guam Major League in the early 1990’s. As a rookie in 1991, he was the leadoff hitter for the AK Islanders before moving over with the Pepsi Giants where he was in the middle of a potent lineup that included Keith Hattig, Benjie Pangelinan and Elbert Certeza. He was also on the gold medal baseball team in the 1994 Micronesian Games on Guam under manager Willie Brennan.
Jerry and his wife Beverly would move their family to Virginia in 1995 for better financial and educational opportunities.
4.07 GPA
For elder son Shane, he is a recipient of the prestigious Gates Scholarship this year as only 1000 of the 57,000+ applicants received the award. It is an all-expense-paid trip to college courtesy of the richest man in the world!
(See feature story from Virginia’s Daily Press)
Shane was the team captain and shortstop for Denbar High in Virginia. He’s committed to play for Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia.
“I believe he’s the first Chamorro to receive this scholarship,” Jerry Arceo said.
U16 USA Finalist
And then there is Matt, who has been doing wonders on the baseball diamond.
Not only has he been named First Team All-Conference as a starting center fielder for his high school baseball team, he’s also made the Virginia Commonwealth All-Star list as a freshman and sophomore.
Now the opportunity to make the U16 USA Team.
He’s already passed the first three rounds of tryouts and is currently on the Capital Region Team consisting of the best from the states of Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and Washington D.C.
“The talent level was amazing, especially when we got into round two (of tryouts),” their father said. “15 and 16 year olds were throwing in the upper 80’s and outfielders were running 60-yard dashes between 6.4 and 6.9 seconds.”
The final stage happens this Aug. 20-23 in Cary, N.C. where the best from 16 regions around the nation will gather with hopes of making the final roster.
“We are very pleased, excited and blessed that my son Matt, a Chamorro, has made it this far,” Jerry added. “Of course, his ultimate goal is to make the team. Whatever the outcome, my wife and I are very proud of him and pray that he does his very best. He/we will always represent our island and the people of Guam. BIBA CHAMORRO!”
Guam Talent
There’s no doubt Guam athletes always possessed the talent and the heart. Jerry Arceo reiterates the importance of exposure.
“The boys back home have the same talent, they just lack publicity. They have a lot of heart and the work ethic is there. They just need the exposure.”
Note: Their grandparents are Julian and Irene Arceo and the late Pedro and Tomosa Fejaran.
GPS Sports Calendar
March 2024
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
1st
ISA SOFTBALL
IIAAG MS GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
Events for March
2nd
HS RUGBY
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
2nd
Events for March
4th
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
ISA SOFTBALL ALL-ISLAND COACHES MEETING
Events for March
5th
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for March
8th
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS PLAYOFFS
Events for March
9th
ISA SOFTBALL FINALS
HS RUGBY FINALS
Events for March
9th
Events for March
14th
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
Events for March
16th
Events for March
17th
Events for March
18th
Events for March
19th
Events for March
20th
Events for March
22nd
Events for March
24th
Events for March
25th
Events for March
27th
Events for March
28th
Events for March
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for March
30th
Soccer
ISLANDERS OUTSHOOT DOLPHINS
Uncategorized
4TH QUARTER SPORTS SET FOR TAKE OFF
Soccer
ISLANDERS OUTSHOOT DOLPHINS
Uncategorized
4TH QUARTER SPORTS SET FOR TAKE OFF
COMING SOON …
4th Quarter Sports
- Guam Marathon