Sports

Thunder Mountain High School juniorTasi Fenumiai spikes the ball as South Anchorage’s Camryn Houser goes up for the block in the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska 3A/4A Volleyball State Championships on Friday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. South won 3-0 (25-10, 25-21, 25-12). (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Falcons place fifth at state tournament

Thunder Mountain notches first state win ever.

Thunder Mountain High School juniorTasi Fenumiai spikes the ball as South Anchorage’s Camryn Houser goes up for the block in the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska 3A/4A Volleyball State Championships on Friday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. South won 3-0 (25-10, 25-21, 25-12). (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas junior Ethan Welch skates after the puck during the Palmer Showdown Tournament on Thursday at the MTA Events Center in Palmer. The Knights won 3-1. JDHS plays reigning Division I state champion Dimond on Friday. Soldotna, West Anchorage, Homer, Dimond, Wasilla and Palmer are also participating in the three-day tournament. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Photos: JDHS season opener

The Juneau-Douglas High School hockey team fell to the Colony Knights 3-1 in the team’s season opener Thursday at MTA Events Center in Palmer. Senior… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas junior Ethan Welch skates after the puck during the Palmer Showdown Tournament on Thursday at the MTA Events Center in Palmer. The Knights won 3-1. JDHS plays reigning Division I state champion Dimond on Friday. Soldotna, West Anchorage, Homer, Dimond, Wasilla and Palmer are also participating in the three-day tournament. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School sophomore Sophia Harvey spikes the ball in between West Anchorage’s Danika Brown, left, and Kathleen Dexter in the first round of the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska 3A/4A Volleyball State Championships on Thursday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain downed by West at state

It was TMHS’ first-ever state tournament appearance.

Thunder Mountain High School sophomore Sophia Harvey spikes the ball in between West Anchorage’s Danika Brown, left, and Kathleen Dexter in the first round of the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska 3A/4A Volleyball State Championships on Thursday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Senior Greyson Liebelt shoots to the goal during Juneau-Douglas High School hockey practice at Treadwell Arena on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

JDHS seniors embrace change and new opportunities

A large senior class is ready for the season.

Senior Greyson Liebelt shoots to the goal during Juneau-Douglas High School hockey practice at Treadwell Arena on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School sophomore Caleb Peimann prepares to surface in the 100-yard backstroke at the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska State Swim and Dive Championships on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Peimann finished eighth with a time of 56.35 seconds (Michael Dinneen | For the Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys fifth at state meet

Both of Juneau’s boys teams finished in the top 10.

Juneau-Douglas High School sophomore Caleb Peimann prepares to surface in the 100-yard backstroke at the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska State Swim and Dive Championships on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Peimann finished eighth with a time of 56.35 seconds (Michael Dinneen | For the Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain celebrates after defeating Juneau-Douglas 3-2 in the Region V 4A championship game on Saturday at JDHS. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Falcons rally for first ever Region V Championship

Thunder Mountain High School rallied from a one-set deficit to claim their first-ever Region V 4A championship on Saturday night at JDHS. The Falcons defeated… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain celebrates after defeating Juneau-Douglas 3-2 in the Region V 4A championship game on Saturday at JDHS. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School junior Micah Grigg swms in the 200-yard freestyle final on Saturday at the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Swim & Dive Championships at Bartlett Pool in Anchorage. Grigg finished in fifth place. (Michael Dinneen | For the Juneau Empire)

Photos: State swim meet

Juneau-Douglas High School senior Tyler Weldon capped his high school career with an exhilarating podium finish at the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Swim & Dive… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain High School junior Micah Grigg swms in the 200-yard freestyle final on Saturday at the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Swim & Dive Championships at Bartlett Pool in Anchorage. Grigg finished in fifth place. (Michael Dinneen | For the Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain celebrates a point against Juneau -Douglas during the second round of the Region V Volleyball Championships at JDHS on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. TMHS won 3-1 (25-20, 25-10, 16-25, 25-21). (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain overpowers JDHS in Region V Tourney

The Juneau teams could meet again Saturday.

Thunder Mountain celebrates a point against Juneau -Douglas during the second round of the Region V Volleyball Championships at JDHS on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. TMHS won 3-1 (25-20, 25-10, 16-25, 25-21). (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain’s Audrey Welling spikes the ball against Juneau-Douglas’ Shaylin Cesar at TMHS on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Falcons and Crimson Bears to clash in Region V tourney

Juneau-Douglas High School will go for its third consecutive region championship when they host the Region V 3A/4A Volleyball Tournament Friday and Saturday. The 4A… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain’s Audrey Welling spikes the ball against Juneau-Douglas’ Shaylin Cesar at TMHS on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Canada’s Messing tops men’s short program at Skate Canada

Canada’s Messing tops men’s short program at Skate Canada

The 26-year-old Messing was born in Girdwood, where he now lives.

Canada’s Messing tops men’s short program at Skate Canada
Ice skaters make their way around the ice during the 16th annual Halloween Open Skate on Friday at Treadwell Arena. Juneau Pediatric Dentistry sponsored the event, which was co-hosted by Treadwell Arena and the City and Borough of Juneau’s Parks and Recreation Department. (Courtesy Photo | Jeremy Lavender)

Photos: Halloween Skate

The 16th annual Halloween Open Skate took place Friday at Treadwell Arena. Juneau Pediatric Dentistry sponsored the event, which was co-hosted by Treadwell Arena and… Continue reading

Ice skaters make their way around the ice during the 16th annual Halloween Open Skate on Friday at Treadwell Arena. Juneau Pediatric Dentistry sponsored the event, which was co-hosted by Treadwell Arena and the City and Borough of Juneau’s Parks and Recreation Department. (Courtesy Photo | Jeremy Lavender)
The JDHS boys swim team celebrate their Region V Championship on Saturday at the Petersburg Community Center. (Courtesy Photo | Phil Loseby)

Juneau swimmers to compete in state swim meet this weekend

Juneau swimmers will be well-represented at the state swim and dive championships on Friday and Saturday at Barlett High School in Anchorage. The Region V… Continue reading

The JDHS boys swim team celebrate their Region V Championship on Saturday at the Petersburg Community Center. (Courtesy Photo | Phil Loseby)
Player of the Week: Riley Stadt

Player of the Week: Riley Stadt

Riley Stadt is the Juneau Empire’s Player of the Week. Stadt, a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School, led the Crimson Bears with 22 digs and… Continue reading

Player of the Week: Riley Stadt
Thunder Mountain’s Hannah Taube reacts after setting a new lifetime best time in the 500-yard freestyle event. (Courtesy Photo | Phil Loseby)

JDHS boys claim first region title in eight years

The Juneau-Douglas High School boys swim and dive team ran away with their first Region V championship in eight years on Saturday in Petersburg. They… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain’s Hannah Taube reacts after setting a new lifetime best time in the 500-yard freestyle event. (Courtesy Photo | Phil Loseby)
Juneau-Douglas’ Riley Stadt uses a soft touch to get the ball over Thunder Mountain’s Sophia Harvey, left, and Mariah Tanuvasa-Tuvaifale at TMHS on Friday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears treat alums to thriller

A senior night to remember.

Juneau-Douglas’ Riley Stadt uses a soft touch to get the ball over Thunder Mountain’s Sophia Harvey, left, and Mariah Tanuvasa-Tuvaifale at TMHS on Friday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School seniors gather for a picture prior to their last home game of the season against Juneau-Douglas on Friday night at TMHS. (Left to right): Kellie James, Tara Dymock, Leilani Eshnaur, Hannah Harvey, Kyra Jenkins Hayes, Sydney Lee, Alex Murray, Kiley Stevens, Marissa Tanuvasa-Tuvaifale, Audrey Welling, Coach Julie Herman. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Seniors share spotlight with sisters, younger teammates

There’s a certain connection sisters Marissa and Mariah Tanuvasa-Tuvaifale share on the court. Whether its Marissa setting the ball to Mariah, or Mariah bumping the… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain High School seniors gather for a picture prior to their last home game of the season against Juneau-Douglas on Friday night at TMHS. (Left to right): Kellie James, Tara Dymock, Leilani Eshnaur, Hannah Harvey, Kyra Jenkins Hayes, Sydney Lee, Alex Murray, Kiley Stevens, Marissa Tanuvasa-Tuvaifale, Audrey Welling, Coach Julie Herman. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Trap Team’s Ben Coutu competes in the fourth annual Southeast Fall Shoot Tournament on Saturday. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Photos: Southeast Fall Tournament

The Juneau Trap Team hosted the fourth annual Southeast Fall Tournament this weekend at the Juneau Gun Club. Close to 20 team members will be… Continue reading

Juneau Trap Team’s Ben Coutu competes in the fourth annual Southeast Fall Shoot Tournament on Saturday. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas junior Jahrease Mays looks over at the official as he pins Ketchikan’s Patrick Rauwolf in the 125-pound bracket final of the Brandon Pilot Invitational on Saturday at Thunder Mountain High School. Mays won soon after. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Player of the Week: Jahrease Mays

Jahrease Mays is the Juneau Empire’s player of the week. Mays, a junior at Juneau-Douglas High School, twice pinned a former state finalist to earn… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas junior Jahrease Mays looks over at the official as he pins Ketchikan’s Patrick Rauwolf in the 125-pound bracket final of the Brandon Pilot Invitational on Saturday at Thunder Mountain High School. Mays won soon after. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain celebrates a point against Juneau-Douglas at TMHS on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Falcons cruise to senior night win

The Thunder Mountain High School seniors know how return a favor. Coaches Julie Herman and Robin Landes showered them with praises before their final home… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain celebrates a point against Juneau-Douglas at TMHS on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School assistant volleyball coach Dale Bontrager speaks at practice last season. Bontrager retired from coaching volleyball at the beginning of the season. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire File)

High school volleyball coach legacy spans two generations

The Juneau-Douglas High School volleyball team’s senior night is Saturday right before its regular season finale against Thunder Mountain at 6:30 p.m. In addition to… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School assistant volleyball coach Dale Bontrager speaks at practice last season. Bontrager retired from coaching volleyball at the beginning of the season. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire File)