The program featured welcome remarks by UOG President Thomas Krise and Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success Lawrence Camacho. Triton Athletics Director Doug Palmer spoke on the university’s athletics program, while Leo Payumo —a local sports media favorite and basketball referee — delivered the keynote speech.

Arren Yatar named UOG Student-Athlete of the Year

Arren Yatar, pitcher for the Tritons Baseball Team, was named Student-Athlete of the Year, which is the highest award given to a student-athlete at the university. Yatar was selected based on his individual accomplishments for the UOG baseball team. His accomplishments include a combined no-hitter — with Yatar pitching six of the seven no-hitter innings against the Sumay Chiefs — and pitching a 9-inning complete game with more than 160 pitches in the team’s victory over the Yigo Typhoons.

“The Triton Baseball Team is doing well in the Guam Major League, and Arren Yatar is one of the major reasons for this success — plus his individual work as a pitcher is superior to most of the league,” Palmer said.

The head coaches of each sport also gave out awards for Most Valuable Player, Best Offense, Best Defense, and Sportsmanship.

Palmer noted the return of the Triton Baseball program under Head Coach Roke Alcantara Jr. as a major accomplishment for the department, as well as launching UOG’s first-ever women’s rugby program with Head Coach Kayla Taguacta-Chiong.

Men’s soccer did not play in 2021-22. However, Head Coach Dylan Naputi recruited a full squad and held practices for most of the academic year to prepare the team for the return of the Guam Football Association’s adult league.

Palmer said a full athletics program would return in the fall to include the current sports as well as women’s soccer and women’s volleyball. The department hopes to be a key player in Guam sports and have seven programs playing during the Fanuchånan/Fall 2022 semester.

2021-22 Student-Athlete Awards Winners:

Women’s Rugby Most Valuable Player: Best Offense Best Defense Sportsmanship Raianne Quichocho Katrina Penaflor Niolynn Marcus Alexandria Cruz
Women’s Basketball Most Valuable Player: Best Offense Best Defense Sportsmanship Sportsmanship Katrina Santos Teresa (Tess) Wagthuth Maria Pagdilao Rozanna Claros Jazmin Samonte
Men’s Basketball Most Valuable Player Best Offense Best Defense Sportsmanship Diane' "D" Blackmon Matthew Santos Daryll Robles Tristan Valdes
Baseball Most Valuable Player Best Offense Best Defense Sportsmanship Arren Yatar O'Neil Yobech Jaren Gumataotao Rico Miner
Men’s Soccer Most Valuable Player Best Offense Best Defense Most Improved Isaiah Macias Jason Miller Takumi O'Dell Jose Taimanglo