SPORTS
From the alley to the green Multi-talented athlete seeks adventures through sports By Joy White
Ruselle Zapanta, 2nd from left, with members of the Tan Holdings Football Club, Men’s Team U18 & U15, Matansa U18 & U15 Football Club gather for practice at the Ada field in Susupe on June 20.
Photos by Minda Castro
Twenty-eight year old Russelle Torre Campo Zapanta is looking forward to representing the NMI internationally in the bowling and soccer arena. Zapanta bowls in the Philippines Bowling Association and aims to win local titles. He has been bowling since he was young and was inspired to continue to the sport through exposure to professional bowlers. At about 12 years old he traveled with the NMI team to Cebu, Philippines, for the Asian Schools Tenpin Bowling Championships. “It was nice to be given the opportunity and get exposed to international competition. Seeing other athletes playing at top level only encouraged and motivated me to be better,” Zapanta says. His bowling titles include Monthly King of the Lanes in June 2015 and November 2014 and he has consistently placed in the top five. In the fall, he is looking forward to competing in the Asian Intercity Bowling Championships in Malaysia. Zapanta is also active in soccer as a member of the Tan Holdings men’s team, the NMI men’s national team and as a referee and coach with youth teams. He competed with the Men’s National Team in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup in Nepal and the East Asian Football Federation qualifiers in Guam. “Coming from an island nation that is new to football, going out on the pitch and playing alongside top athletes from bigger footballing nations is a feat,” he says. Zapanta became involved in soccer in late 2009 after a tour in the U.S. Marine Corps. He played some soccer as a youth, but decided to pick it back up again, when he got older. “Since I’ve been back in Saipan [and] tried out for the NMI NT, I just try to work hard, learn and develop my skills as quick as possible,” he says. Being part of the men’s national team has brought him a lot of pride in representing the NMI and getting the islands’ names known outside of the Pacific. “It’s an honor to be selected to represent one’s country, especially when you can make a mark and stamp your name in the history books. The joy and excitement of being a part of the NT when we got our first international win over Macau is priceless and will always be a memorable experience,” he says. Zapanta hopes to continue to develop his skills and to help uplift the community and the youth through his involvement in sports. “Being involved in sports, whether it be football or bowling, opens the door for different opportunities. Through my involvement with both sports, I’ve been able to travel and experience different things. You meet new people, learn new things. It’s a fun adventure and I’ll continue to seek adventure,” he says.
JUNE JULY 2015
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