Gabriel

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

Gabriel likes being with his friends when it comes to sports. That, or he likes to perfect his form when it comes to his backhand in tennis, butterfly stroke in swimming, sole rolls in soccer, pace management in running. Sometimes, we have to tell him it's about being healthy and not being perfect or overly competitive. Either way, he's a sportsman.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

He's inspired by his whole island community on the island of Saipan out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. He plays with so many people from diverse cultures and backgrounds (like Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Filipino, Chamorro, Carolinian, and more). Even when he is competing, he cares about his teammates and even those he is playing against. Though he wears his heart on his sleeve, he also shows grit when it counts. Recently, he was nominated for Athlete of the Year for the entire CNMI.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

Our proudest moment is after our island suffered one of the strongest typhoons in nearly a decade that destroyed our home and the local pool our son trains at. Even through 60+ days without power and 2 weeks without water, his swim team came together to compete in Guam (a nearby island) for a weekend tournament. Because of money constraints, he traveled with his team by himself, something he did for the very first time. We thought this showed resilience and perseverance.