Sports

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé volleyball seniors Neveah Alexander, Nina Jeter, Maxi Lehulie, Tatum Billings, Evelyn Richards and Val Mausia were honored before Friday night’s game against Wasilla at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)

JDHS volleyball team celebrates seniors, but falls to Wasilla in straight sets

Crimson Bears fall 25-17, 25-17, 25-12 to defending state champion Warriors.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé volleyball seniors Neveah Alexander, Nina Jeter, Maxi Lehulie, Tatum Billings, Evelyn Richards and Val Mausia were honored before Friday night’s game against Wasilla at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)
Roger Jaramillo walks on crampons while roped to a sled and his partner Matthew Crisafi-Lurtsema. The pair climbed Denali and sampled microplastics along their route in June of 2024. (Photo by Roger Jaramillo)

Alaska Science Forum: Denali climbed, its snow sampled for plastics

Two mountaineers who are also University of Alaska Fairbanks students were successful in their attempt to reach the top of North America’s highest peak in… Continue reading

Roger Jaramillo walks on crampons while roped to a sled and his partner Matthew Crisafi-Lurtsema. The pair climbed Denali and sampled microplastics along their route in June of 2024. (Photo by Roger Jaramillo)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior varsity volleyball players Tatum Billings, Evelyn Richards and Nina Jeter will celebrate senior night against Wasilla on Friday. Not pictured are JV senior Neveah Alexander and C Team seniors Maxie Lehauli, Val Mausia, Sophia Perry and Olivia Hickman. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)

JDHS spikers to host Wasilla on senior night

Eight Crimson Bear volleyball players to be recognized before Friday’s varsity game.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior varsity volleyball players Tatum Billings, Evelyn Richards and Nina Jeter will celebrate senior night against Wasilla on Friday. Not pictured are JV senior Neveah Alexander and C Team seniors Maxie Lehauli, Val Mausia, Sophia Perry and Olivia Hickman. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)
Members of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears wrestling team are shown at the Juneau Wrestling Center during practice on Wednesday. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)

JDHS name returns to wrestling team, spirit remains for defending TMHS Region V title

Crimson Bears open season at two-day Hoonah Invitational starting Friday.

Members of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears wrestling team are shown at the Juneau Wrestling Center during practice on Wednesday. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)
Glacier Swim Club athletes Emma Fellman, Valerie Peimann and Lily Francis stand with coach Scott Griffith in a corn field after competing in a meet in Lake Oswego, Oregon, over the weekend. (Photo courtesy Glacier Swim Club)

Glacier Swim Club trio competes in Oregon

Fellman, Peimann, Francis record first-place strokes.

Glacier Swim Club athletes Emma Fellman, Valerie Peimann and Lily Francis stand with coach Scott Griffith in a corn field after competing in a meet in Lake Oswego, Oregon, over the weekend. (Photo courtesy Glacier Swim Club)
Members of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cross-country team pose for a photo while attending the Nike Hole In The Wall XC Invitational at Lakewood High School in Washington. (Photo courtesy JDHS Cross-Country)

JDHS cross-country team celebrate season’s end with trip to Washington race

Crimson Bears harriers compete at Nike Hole In The Wall Invitational

Members of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cross-country team pose for a photo while attending the Nike Hole In The Wall XC Invitational at Lakewood High School in Washington. (Photo courtesy JDHS Cross-Country)
Southeast Alaska cyclist Tom Thompson raises his arms after crossing the Canadian border from British Columbia into the Yukon Territories on the Haines Road from Haines, Alaska, to Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada on Sept. 4, 2024. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Pure Sole: Famous in Whitehorse

So, I’m famous in Whitehorse. I know, I’m as shocked as you are. You would think I would know about this, not just hear it… Continue reading

Southeast Alaska cyclist Tom Thompson raises his arms after crossing the Canadian border from British Columbia into the Yukon Territories on the Haines Road from Haines, Alaska, to Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada on Sept. 4, 2024. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
At the end of the season, eyebright flowers (left) adorn the top of the flowering stem. At right, yellow rattle (or rattle pod) has a long flowering season. (Left photo by KM Hocker, right photo by Deana Barajas)

On the Trails: Parasitic and hemiparasitic plants

In our region there are a few fully parasitic plants, totally dependent on other plants for carbon, water, and nutrients. Some of them are not… Continue reading

At the end of the season, eyebright flowers (left) adorn the top of the flowering stem. At right, yellow rattle (or rattle pod) has a long flowering season. (Left photo by KM Hocker, right photo by Deana Barajas)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Leila Cooper, June Troxel and Braith Dihle dive for the ball during their 25-19, 25-16, 25-15 victory over Ketchikan High School at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (Christopher Mullen/ Ketchikan Daily News)

Crimson Bears volleyball team sweeps Kings at Kayhi

Wins ensure JDHS will be the Southeast Conference regular-season champions going into postseason.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Leila Cooper, June Troxel and Braith Dihle dive for the ball during their 25-19, 25-16, 25-15 victory over Ketchikan High School at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (Christopher Mullen/ Ketchikan Daily News)
Juneau Huskies senior Jayden Johnson (4), senior Hayden Aube (2) and junior Ricky Tupou (77) try to bring down West Anchorage senior Zephaniah Sailele (6) during the Huskies 20-13 loss to the Eagles in the 2024 ASAA State Football Playoffs on Saturday at West Anchorage’s Nest on Hillcrest. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)

Huskies give Eagles a game, Eagles give Huskies respect in 20-13 playoff loss to end Juneau’s season

Sixth-seed Juneau takes third-seed West Anchorage to the wire in showdown of teams’ big playmakers.

Juneau Huskies senior Jayden Johnson (4), senior Hayden Aube (2) and junior Ricky Tupou (77) try to bring down West Anchorage senior Zephaniah Sailele (6) during the Huskies 20-13 loss to the Eagles in the 2024 ASAA State Football Playoffs on Saturday at West Anchorage’s Nest on Hillcrest. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Alex Rehfeldt and senior Milina Mazon play a ball during their mixed doubles match for the 2024 ASAA Tennis Championship on Saturday at Anchorage’s Alaska Club. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears ‘mix it up’ for tennis state championship

JDHS seniors Mazon and Rehfeldt champs, junior Welch third.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Alex Rehfeldt and senior Milina Mazon play a ball during their mixed doubles match for the 2024 ASAA Tennis Championship on Saturday at Anchorage’s Alaska Club. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Boys dive in for a 100-meter freestyle race during a regional meet Saturday at Dimond Park Aquatic Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears sweep up wins in the pool, both in and above the water

Juneau wins 29 of 48 events and combined team titles while hosting Southeast swim meet.

Boys dive in for a 100-meter freestyle race during a regional meet Saturday at Dimond Park Aquatic Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The author with a brown trout caught on the Frying Pan river in Colorado, a favorite river of writer John Gierach who passed away Oct. 3. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: A tribute to The Trout Bum

I never met John Gierach, but I feel like I know him as well as you can know anyone from their books and he had… Continue reading

The author with a brown trout caught on the Frying Pan river in Colorado, a favorite river of writer John Gierach who passed away Oct. 3. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé tennis team. Seated left to right: Aurora Madsen, Isabella Reyes-Boyer, Milina Mazon, Maya Breedlove, Madeline Gibson, Lydia Heidemann, Hazel McWilliams and Maggie Fairchild. Middle L-R: Daniela Lamas, Shakti Tellez-Perez, Skylar Hayes, Dan Degener, Jaime Snedden, Riley Dale and Katharine Hieb. Standing L-R: Paige Kirsch, Isaac Hill, Elliot Welch, Kajson Cunningham, Hayden Soboleff, Alex Rehfeldt, Taliesin Paul, Riley Soboleff and Ainsley Mallott. (Photo courtesy JDHS Tennis)

JDHS tennis team hits Anchorage courts for state tournament

Milina Mazon, Alexander Rehfeldt are #1 seed in mixed doubles for competition that starts Thursday.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé tennis team. Seated left to right: Aurora Madsen, Isabella Reyes-Boyer, Milina Mazon, Maya Breedlove, Madeline Gibson, Lydia Heidemann, Hazel McWilliams and Maggie Fairchild. Middle L-R: Daniela Lamas, Shakti Tellez-Perez, Skylar Hayes, Dan Degener, Jaime Snedden, Riley Dale and Katharine Hieb. Standing L-R: Paige Kirsch, Isaac Hill, Elliot Welch, Kajson Cunningham, Hayden Soboleff, Alex Rehfeldt, Taliesin Paul, Riley Soboleff and Ainsley Mallott. (Photo courtesy JDHS Tennis)
Juneau Huskies linemen (left-to-right) senior Ricky Tupou, senior Gunnar Tarver, junior Walter Haube-Law, junior Jonah Mahle, junior Kyle Carter, senior Merrick Hartman, senior Stefano Rivera and junior Hyrum Fish. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s unsung heroes tasked with holding the line in state football playoffs at West Anchorage

Sixth-seeded Huskies face third-seeded Eagles at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Juneau Huskies linemen (left-to-right) senior Ricky Tupou, senior Gunnar Tarver, junior Walter Haube-Law, junior Jonah Mahle, junior Kyle Carter, senior Merrick Hartman, senior Stefano Rivera and junior Hyrum Fish. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Tyson Duckworth (left) and Marco Reina face off in the main event at AK Beatdown 36 on Saturday night at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Fight night returns to Juneau after five years with a 10-count of boxing and MMA bouts

AK Beatdown 36 reunites brawlers from Southeast and beyond, with some eyeing bigger dreams.

Tyson Duckworth (left) and Marco Reina face off in the main event at AK Beatdown 36 on Saturday night at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Exhausted at the finish Colony senior third-place race finisher Ella Hopkins, JDHS senior second-place finisher Ida Meyer, and Anchorage junior fourth-place finisher Mia Stiassny hug as Wasilla sophomore race winner Hailee Giacobbe approaches to congratulate them at the Division I girls 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Pure Sole: Vomit, REI and a Diet Coke with a splash of lime

Only one time in my life have I run so hard that I had to vomit when I crossed that particular “glory days” event. It… Continue reading

Exhausted at the finish Colony senior third-place race finisher Ella Hopkins, JDHS senior second-place finisher Ida Meyer, and Anchorage junior fourth-place finisher Mia Stiassny hug as Wasilla sophomore race winner Hailee Giacobbe approaches to congratulate them at the Division I girls 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Black Bear chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area may be closed throughout the 2024-25 ski season due to mechanical problems. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Eaglecrest facing rocky ski season due to loss of Black Bear lift, problems with snowmaking system

One of two mountaintop lifts may close all season; report says snowmaking needs “immediate safety upgrades.”

The Black Bear chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area may be closed throughout the 2024-25 ski season due to mechanical problems. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
June Troxel (left), a sophomore for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s varsity volleyball team, sets up a teammate during Saturday’s game against Mountain City Christian Academy in an elimination game of the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza at JDHS. Pictured on the court with Troxel are Amelia Elfers (13), Lavinia Ma’ake (11) and Braith Dihle (2). Head Coach Jody Levernier is standing behind them holding a clipboard. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JDHS volleyball teams find their new groove hosting JIVE tournament

Varsity built from 91 players seeking spots after consolidation settles in; two JV teams face off in semifinal.

June Troxel (left), a sophomore for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s varsity volleyball team, sets up a teammate during Saturday’s game against Mountain City Christian Academy in an elimination game of the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza at JDHS. Pictured on the court with Troxel are Amelia Elfers (13), Lavinia Ma’ake (11) and Braith Dihle (2). Head Coach Jody Levernier is standing behind them holding a clipboard. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Spotted tussock moth caterpillars are the local version of woolly bears. (Photo by Bob Armstong)

On the Trails: Woolly bears and spider webs

It’s early fall and we sometimes enjoy seeing fuzzy orange and black caterpillars trekking over the trails on their way to better foraging or a… Continue reading

Spotted tussock moth caterpillars are the local version of woolly bears. (Photo by Bob Armstong)