2022 was the year of our sporting world got back to any sense of normalcy. As crowds grew and masks came off, GSPN takes a look back at the Top Ten Stories of 2022 based on the number of hits attracted to the stories.
#6: BODYBUILDING SPOTLIGHT RETURNS
The sport of bodybuilding always attracts large crowds. The attractive physiques draws standing-room-only crowds and after the two-year absence due to COVID, the 30th edition of the Michelob Ultra Guam National Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships in July did not disappoint.
Over 50 athletes took all their hard work in the gym right to center stage competing in bodybuilding, physique and bikini fitness highlighted by Runell Balecha (men's overall classic title), Joshua Cantara (men's overall physique title) and Zoey Chargualaf (women's overall) winning in their respective categories.
The Guam National Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships obtained sanctioning from the NPC/ IFBB Pro Division in 2019 which qualifies winners of each division a chance to compete at National Pro qualifying events with an opportunity to earn a coveted IFBB Pro Division Pro Card. Jeralyn Mesa, a former Guam National Champion, brought her best physique to the prestigious U.S. Nationals and her IFBB pro card.
"Guam has a bright future ahead in physique sports. The Guam National Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships will continue to provide home grown athletes a stage to compete on and the opportunity to represent Guam at highest levels of the sport."
- GNBFF General Secretary Steve Oshiro
#7: EAGLES SOAR TO PERFECT SEASON
The Guahan Eagles had a season to remember in the Matua Division of the 2022 GYNFF League. After two seasons lost to COVID, the youth football scene was lit once again.
The dynamic duo of Rayn Rios and Donte Parker were heart and soul of a perfect season that saw the Eagles give up only 25 points in the regular season.
The championship game was the icing on the cake against the super talented Hal's Angels. Night game and Parker in doubt due to an injury sustained in the semifinals, the Eagles came up big to win one of the more entertaining and exciting championship games in youth football history.
"Looking back on the season, the championship game was the ultimate climax in the return to youth football after a two year hiatus. We were blessed with the amount of kids that came out hungry to play football again. The championship game was a testament to the teams will and determination to never give up and fight till the end for a perfect season. They stayed humble and focused despite being behind for the first time throughout the entire season. They found the fire within themselves to overcome adversity with less than two minutes left in the game. EAGLES FLYING HIGH," - Eagles Matua head coach Ryan Wessling
#8: DeAUNDRE CRUZ MAKES WAY TO D1 FOOTBALL
It's been quite the journey for football star DeAundre Cruz. Always having that goal to play Division I collegiate football, Cruz went the JUCO route via San Mateo, CA before landing with Stony Brook University in New York.
Cruz sat with GSPN in January to discuss his big move to D1.
Cruz took a backup role at linebacker 2022, recording 10 tackles and seven assists. Look for the 6'2", 240-lb Malesso beast to have a much better senior year in 2023.
"Man, this year was really up and down for me. Dealing with injuries, adjusting to a new environment, schedule, and people was really the hardest part for me, but nonetheless I learned so much this past year. Although the season didn't go the way I wanted it to go, I was able to use this year to adapt to living in a new place and get a grasp of what the D1 athlete life is like."
"I'm so blessed to have this experience and I'm very excited to see what next year has in store for me. With next season being my last year and being more comfortable with the system and program as a whole, I know so much more than I did this year and I know 2023 will be a great year."
#9: FD WRESTLING DYNASTY CONTINUES
The Father Duenas sports juggernaut is undeniable. The wrestling squad leads the way and gets the No. 9 spot of the 2022 Top Stories on GSPN.
Winning their seventh straight title makes it a bonafide dynasty led by head coach Terry Debold, who's training sessions are legendary – if you can survive a Debold session, you can survive anything.
In fact, because of the switch of schedules, wrestling season happened twice in the calendar year (March and October).
"It's really nice that our teams are being duly recognized for their accomplishments. They were definitely dedicated and put in the hard work. We've been really fortunate to have alumni wrestlers come back and help contribute to our program and we've also been blessed with awesome support from the families and our school," said FD wrestling coach Terry Debold.
#10: ATOS JIU-JITSU DOMINATES BJJ SCENE
In only its first year in existence, Atos Jiu-Jitsu Guam and head professor Mike Carbullido has already established themselves as the top jiu-jitsu competition academy on island.
First taking the Marianas Open in May and then the Copa de Marianas in October, Atos skyrocketed straight to the top in local competition. Then in late September, the Guam crew welcome head professor Andre Galvao and family to our island. It's been a special year for Atos, to say the least.
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