Darren Smartt and Jose Taimanglo both signed athletic letters of intent on July 17 and will receive partial tuition grants to play for the Tritons under new head coach, Dylan Naputi.

Smartt is a former Guam National Team player who represented the island for four years in international competitions in Japan and the Philippines. 

His total of 30 years of soccer experience include coaching the George Washington High School team the last four years, bringing the team to the final four teams in the Independent Interscholastic Athletic Association of Guam boys soccer league in three of those years. 

Smartt has also been a champion in cross country events, triathlons, softball, table tennis, kendama, and the “Guamazing Race,” which he has won twice.

He has returned to college at UOG to change his career direction and will give the Tritons a lot of added experience on the field, said Athletics Director Doug Palmer.

Taimanglo is transferring to UOG from Grossmont Community College in San Diego.

Prior to college, he played club soccer for the Wolverines in Guam and played basketball for two years for Father Dueñas Memorial High School, where we was named Most Improved Player and Best Defensive Player. His team at Father Dueñas finished second in the IIAAG championship in 2017.

Taimanglo was also on the honor roll as a student in high school with a GPA of 3.0.

The Triton Men’s Soccer Team will play in the Guam Football Association when it resumes competition.