Sports

The Holiday Cup has been a community favorite event for years. This 2014 photo shows the Jolly Saint Kicks and Reigning Snowballs players in action. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Holiday Cup soccer action brings community spirit to the pitch

Every Christmas name imaginable heads a cast of futbol characters starting Wednesday.

 

Members of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls and boys basketball teams pose above and below the new signage and plaque for the George Houston Gymnasium on Monday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

George Houston Gymnasium adds another touch of class

Second phase of renaming honor for former coach brings in more red.

 

A pygmy owl in the snow outside the doorstep of a Juneau home. (Photo by Denise Carroll)

On the Trails: Pygmy owls

This little owl was quite frequently detected in the trees at the edge of the wetlands this fall. And one appeared on the doorstep of… Continue reading

 

Smokin’ Old Geezers Jesse Stringer, Brandon Ivanowicz, Steve Ricci, Juan Orozco Jr., John Bursell and John Nagel at the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships on Saturday at University Place, Washington. (Photo courtesy S.O.G.)

Smokin’ Old Geezers compete at national club cross-country championships

Group of adult Juneau runners hope to inspire others to challenge themselves.

Smokin’ Old Geezers Jesse Stringer, Brandon Ivanowicz, Steve Ricci, Juan Orozco Jr., John Bursell and John Nagel at the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships on Saturday at University Place, Washington. (Photo courtesy S.O.G.)
Hayden Aube and Ivan Shockley go head to head on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during the Region V wrestling tournament in Haines. Eleven Crimson Bears earned individual titles, 12 placed second meaning that 23 are headed to state in Anchorage next weekend. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)

Crimson Bears wrestlers snare Region V championship

11 earn individual titles, 12 place second, 23 head to state

Hayden Aube and Ivan Shockley go head to head on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during the Region V wrestling tournament in Haines. Eleven Crimson Bears earned individual titles, 12 placed second meaning that 23 are headed to state in Anchorage next weekend. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior goalie Caleb Friend (1) controls the net as Soldotna’s Daniel Heath (10) and JDHS senior Loren Platt (26) play a puck during the Crimson Bears 2-0 win over the Stars on Saturday at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS’ Friend holds clean sheet in 2-0 win over Soldotna

Northern Lights Conference battle shines on Crimson Bears, not Stars

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior goalie Caleb Friend (1) controls the net as Soldotna’s Daniel Heath (10) and JDHS senior Loren Platt (26) play a puck during the Crimson Bears 2-0 win over the Stars on Saturday at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Soldotna’s Keegan Myrick and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Caden Morris battle for a puck during Friday’s 4-3 Crimson Bears’ loss to the visiting Stars at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Stars eclipse Crimson Bears

JDHS hockey team falls to visiting Soldotna skaters.

Soldotna’s Keegan Myrick and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Caden Morris battle for a puck during Friday’s 4-3 Crimson Bears’ loss to the visiting Stars at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Walter Washington Center in downtown Washington, D.C., hosted the 25,000 scientists who attended the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union from Dec. 9-13, 2024. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: More familiar news of the North

WASHINGTON, D.C. — I am once again elbow-to-elbow with thousands of scientists, at a meeting I first attended 25 years ago. Back then, in 1999,… Continue reading

The Walter Washington Center in downtown Washington, D.C., hosted the 25,000 scientists who attended the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union from Dec. 9-13, 2024. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
The 2024-25 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears Girls Basketball team. Standing, from left-to-right, senior Kerra Baxter (22), junior Gwen Nizich (11), freshman Lydia Goins (15), senior Addison Wilson (10), sophomore Layla Tokuoka (14), junior Cambry Lockhart (3), sophomore June Troxel (5), senior Mary Johnson (4), freshman Sadie Lockhart (13), sophomore Bergen Erickson (12), freshman Athena Warr (21) and senior Cailynn Baxter (23). Seated l-r: Senior manager Nadia Wilson, head coach Tanya Nizich, assistant coaches Jasmine James, Angie Kemp, Nicole Fenumiai, and junior manager Jadyn Cook. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears girls basketball has roster for state title

Combining of two schools sets high expectations, but region and state are daunting.

The 2024-25 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears Girls Basketball team. Standing, from left-to-right, senior Kerra Baxter (22), junior Gwen Nizich (11), freshman Lydia Goins (15), senior Addison Wilson (10), sophomore Layla Tokuoka (14), junior Cambry Lockhart (3), sophomore June Troxel (5), senior Mary Johnson (4), freshman Sadie Lockhart (13), sophomore Bergen Erickson (12), freshman Athena Warr (21) and senior Cailynn Baxter (23). Seated l-r: Senior manager Nadia Wilson, head coach Tanya Nizich, assistant coaches Jasmine James, Angie Kemp, Nicole Fenumiai, and junior manager Jadyn Cook. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Jayden Johnson (4), shown in action against West Anchorage during the ASAA State Playoffs on Oct. 12, was selected to play in the 2025 Native American High School Football All-Star Game, Jan. 7, at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Jayden Johnson one of three Alaskans selected for Native American High School Football All-Star Game

60 Native American athletes from across U.S. will play in front of college recruiters Jan. 7 in Texas.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Jayden Johnson (4), shown in action against West Anchorage during the ASAA State Playoffs on Oct. 12, was selected to play in the 2025 Native American High School Football All-Star Game, Jan. 7, at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Alev Kelter, a member of the bronze-winning USA’s Rugby Sevens team at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, is one of two new inductees in the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. (USA Rugby photo)

NHL star Brandon Dubinsky, Olympic rugby medalist Alev Kelter elected to Alaska Sports Hall of Fame

Hall also adding historic Alaska moments involving 1992 Winter Games, 2008 NCAA basketball title game

Alev Kelter, a member of the bronze-winning USA’s Rugby Sevens team at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, is one of two new inductees in the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. (USA Rugby photo)
The 2024-25 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears are, standing left-to-right, sophomore manager Amelia Geary, junior Brandon Casperson (5), senior Pedrin Saceda-Hurt (10), senior Ben Sikes (11), sophomore Logan Carriker (24), junior Elias Dybdahl (20), freshman Keaton Belcourt (44), junior Damian Efergan (1), junior Tyler Frisby (21) and sophomore manager Skylar Oliva. Seated at front l-r, junior Kurt Kuppert (14), senior Ahmir Parker (2), senior Gavin Gerrin (3) and sophomore Hunter Carte (15). Not pictured is junior Joren Gasga. (Photo courtesy Crimson Bears)

Crimson Bears look to return to the show

JDHS boys basketball team ready to earn next state title.

The 2024-25 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears are, standing left-to-right, sophomore manager Amelia Geary, junior Brandon Casperson (5), senior Pedrin Saceda-Hurt (10), senior Ben Sikes (11), sophomore Logan Carriker (24), junior Elias Dybdahl (20), freshman Keaton Belcourt (44), junior Damian Efergan (1), junior Tyler Frisby (21) and sophomore manager Skylar Oliva. Seated at front l-r, junior Kurt Kuppert (14), senior Ahmir Parker (2), senior Gavin Gerrin (3) and sophomore Hunter Carte (15). Not pictured is junior Joren Gasga. (Photo courtesy Crimson Bears)
The author wearing one of the only Christmas sweaters he is allowed to wear, largely because it is one of the only sweaters he owns. (Photo by Klas Stolpe)

Pure Sole: Sweater Up!

Dear readers, I am at a loss and need some help. Once again it is that wonderful time of year where we get to express… Continue reading

The author wearing one of the only Christmas sweaters he is allowed to wear, largely because it is one of the only sweaters he owns. (Photo by Klas Stolpe)
A male downy woodpecker pecks at a suet block with its small bill. (Photo by Steve Willson)

On the Trails: Hairy and downy woodpeckers

A male hairy woodpecker is a regular visitor to my peanut butter feeders, also sampling from the suet from time to time. In a previous… Continue reading

A male downy woodpecker pecks at a suet block with its small bill. (Photo by Steve Willson)
On Aug. 6, 2024, an outburst flood from the Mendenhall Glacier caused major flooding in the Mendenhall Glacier Basin. Multiple homes and roads are inundated. No reports of injuries have been reported. The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) issued an evacuation order on the evening of August 5 and established an emergency shelter for residents displaced by the flooding. (Alaska National Guard courtesy photo)

Alaska Science Forum: Alaska continues to change, fast

With his eyes on Alaska weather and climate for many years, Rick Thoman saw a need for a recent update on what is happening within… Continue reading

On Aug. 6, 2024, an outburst flood from the Mendenhall Glacier caused major flooding in the Mendenhall Glacier Basin. Multiple homes and roads are inundated. No reports of injuries have been reported. The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) issued an evacuation order on the evening of August 5 and established an emergency shelter for residents displaced by the flooding. (Alaska National Guard courtesy photo)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Emilio Holbrook (37), shown in a game this season against North Pole at Treadwell Ice Arena, had three goals and two assists in two Crimson Bears wins at Kodiak over the weekend. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

JDHS hockey dominates at Kodiak

Southeast’s Crimson Bears bigger, faster, stronger than Kodiak Bears.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Emilio Holbrook (37), shown in a game this season against North Pole at Treadwell Ice Arena, had three goals and two assists in two Crimson Bears wins at Kodiak over the weekend. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
Members of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears Nordic Ski Team pose for a photo at Eaglecrest Ski Area during a recent practice. (Photo courtesy Tristan Knutson-Lombardo)

Crimson Bears on skis a sight to see

JDHS Nordic season begins, but obstacles remain in and out of the snow

Members of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears Nordic Ski Team pose for a photo at Eaglecrest Ski Area during a recent practice. (Photo courtesy Tristan Knutson-Lombardo)
A good life in Southeast Alaska is often made better with good gear. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: ‘Buy gear not stuff’

If anyone needs shopping clarity this holiday season, quote writer Michael Easter who champions the idea “buy gear, not stuff.” In order for us to… Continue reading

A good life in Southeast Alaska is often made better with good gear. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls head coach Tanya Nizich talks to Crimson Bears players during the first day of girls varsity basketball tryouts Wednesday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS holds first day of basketball tryouts

Crimson Bears head coaches Casperson, Nizich open court to roughly 100 players.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls head coach Tanya Nizich talks to Crimson Bears players during the first day of girls varsity basketball tryouts Wednesday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Porcupine lift on the beginner’s hill at Eaglecrest Ski Area is scheduled to open Saturday, but rain is keeping the main portion of the resort closed, officials announced Wednesday. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest to open Porcupine lift on Saturday with tickets as low as $11, but rain thwarts full opening

Ski area offering 50% off ticket price for beginner hill lift for people donating to food drive.

The Porcupine lift on the beginner’s hill at Eaglecrest Ski Area is scheduled to open Saturday, but rain is keeping the main portion of the resort closed, officials announced Wednesday. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)