2024 GSPN ATHLETE OF THE YEAR IS JOSH CANTARA

By Patrick Lujan

There are multi-sport athletes and there is Josh Cantara.

Cantara not only played, but excelled in five different sports this year, earning himself the prestigious GSPN Athlete of the Year for 2024!

“I honestly didn’t think I would be picked,” a surprised Cantara said when notified of winning the award. “It’s a blessing!”

Take a look at some of his accomplishments this year:

• Feb: Oceania Wrestling Championships (3rd place, 74kg)
• April: Alumni Rugby Tournament (3rd place, Sanchez Sharks)
• May: Guam Track & Field Open meet 400m (3rd place)
• September: Guam Powerlifting Federation Championship Series (1st place, 82.5kg; Overall Best Lifter)
• November: GSPN’s I Mås Megot Competition (2nd place)
• December: USAPL Guam Island Strength Classic (1st place 90kg; Overall Best Lifter)

The 27-year-old Yigo resident is not a big dude. He stands at 5-foot-7, 183 lbs, but he took Overall Best Lifter in two powerlifting meets.

Throw in a top 3 in the Oceania region in wrestling.

He also beat out some of Guam’s best in the 400-meter event in May.

As a late entry in GSPN’s I Mås Megot Competition, he surprisingly came in 2nd place as the lightest competitor, only to lose to the great Elton Bautista.

And to think, his bodybuilding championships in 2023 don’t count.

Honorable mentions: Jeremiah Camacho, bowling; Regine Tagade, track; Roque Martinez, MMA/BJJ

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

High school junior Rayn Rios made history, becoming the first high school football player ever to win both Offensive MVP and Defensive MVP.

The youngest son of legendary football player Ryan ‘Chairman of the Board’ Rios, Rayn showed natural talent genetically handed down to him. His defensive instincts mirror that of his dad and the ground covered from his linebacker position is like no other in the league. He was asked to do some work in the offensive backfield as well, doing enough to garner the Offensive MVP award. He led the Geckos to a close 5-0 loss to the FD Friars in the championship game.

Football was not all he did. He scored two tries in the rugby championship match as the Geckos once again fell short to the Friars earlier in the year.

Rayn is the reigning 182-lb. wrestling champion from his sophomore season and now is out to get the gold in the 195-lb. weight class where he has been undefeated so far. In fact, he’s jumped up to the 220-lb. division just get in some reps.

In addition, he was a slugger on Team Guam in the Little League Senior World Series over the summer.

Honorable mentions: Hugh Kent, running; Jia Peters, basketball; Kayna Kanemoto, volleyball/track & field

YOUTH ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Talk about staying active. 12-year-old Sage Cruz has been super busy this year, going undefeated in jiu-jitsu and also coming out on top in wrestling and judo.

Cruz competed in 10 out of the 12 months, winning 10 of 10 jiu-jitsu tournaments on and off island, nine off-island wrestling tournaments and one in judo, also off-island.

“Sage literally grinds every day, Sunday to Saturday,” said his proud dad Jesse Cruz.

His first place accomplishments came in the following: Hawaii Jr. Officials Middle School State Wrestling Championships, Fiji BJJ Tournament (Hawaii Open), Hawaii State Judo Championships, NAGA (North Atlantic Grappling Association) Gi and No-Gi Champion (Oahu,) Hawaii State Wrestling Championships, Waianae Wrestling Scramble, Pearl City Wrestling Scramble, Leilehua Wrestling Scramble x2, Hawaii Triple Crown Gi and No-Gi x2, IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Con (Las Vegas), IBJJF Pan Kids (Orlando), Patgon Jiu Jitsu Tournament (Guam), Copa De Marianas (Guam), Grappler’s Quest Gi and No-Gi (Guam).

Sage was also part of the U12 Wings Club that won the Robbie Webber championship for the second year in a row. And for good measure, he finished first in his division in the GVB Ko’Ko’ 2-mile run.

Now for the icing on the cake: Sage was in the A Honor Roll and received the President’s Award for Academic Excellence for 5th grade at Andersen Elementary School.

Honorable mentions: Nekhi Freeman, football; Nathan Caasi, golf

PAST GSPN ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

2023 – Manami Iijima-Martin (triathlon)

2022 – JJ Ambrose (MMA/Fitness)

2021 – Trevin Jones (MMA)

2020 – None due to COVID

2019 – Anthony Cruz (jiu-jitsu)

2018 – Alejandra Ada (D1 Rugby)

2017 – Manami Iijima (triathlon)

2016 – Baby Joe Taimanglo (MMA)

2015 – Guam Men’s Basketball Team (Pacific Games Gold)

2014 – Eddie ‘Barefoot Bandito’ Vega (101 Barefoot Marathons)

2013 – Zach Pangelinan (USA National Rugby)

2012 – Jon Tuck (MMA)