Sports

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

 

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

 

John Kern is shown after finishing the Berlin Marathon on Sept. 25, 2022. (Photo courtesy John Kern)

After completing marathon goal of all 50 states, John Kern looks ‘around the world’

Juneau runner seeks to complete Six World Marathons challenge in Tokyo — and what’s beyond.

 

The author is moving down the Perseverance Trail this Thanksgiving. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Pure Sole: Thankful

What am I thankful for? Selfishly thankful? Or salt-of-the-earth thankful, you know, not thinking about myself but those who really make me who I am?… Continue reading

The author is moving down the Perseverance Trail this Thanksgiving. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s PJ Foy, shown winning the 2023 100-yard butterfly in 48.27 for Thunder Mountain High School during the ASAA state championships at the Dimond Park Aquatics Center on Nov. 4, 2023. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

Alaska Sports Hall of Fame selections end in November

Last chance to vote for your favorite Alaska athlete or moment

Juneau’s PJ Foy, shown winning the 2023 100-yard butterfly in 48.27 for Thunder Mountain High School during the ASAA state championships at the Dimond Park Aquatics Center on Nov. 4, 2023. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
A pair of Petersburg wiener dogs. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Pure Sole: ‘Bread and Butter’

So, evidently, I now have a nickname in my hometown of Petersburg. “Bread and Butter.” I will let you stew on that while I finish… Continue reading

A pair of Petersburg wiener dogs. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Be safe, stay together, be respectful, share your treats but not your tricks, have fun, and get outside on Halloween. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Pure Sole: Don’t Open The Door

A cowboy, a pirate and the pope walk into a bar… Nope, no joke here. Just reminding you of the horror approaching Thursday night. Remember… Continue reading

Be safe, stay together, be respectful, share your treats but not your tricks, have fun, and get outside on Halloween. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Harold Axel Stolpe and Patricia Anne Cox Stolpe on their wedding day in 1959.

Pure Sole: Powerless and powerful

So all my columns will not be rainbows and unicorns. This one, for instance, involves a recent incident and me trying to understand the different… Continue reading

Harold Axel Stolpe and Patricia Anne Cox Stolpe on their wedding day in 1959.
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)
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)
West Anchorage High School’s Zephaniah Sailele (6) breaks through Juneau defenders during Saturday’s game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Huskies come up short at home in 28-27 nailbiter against West Anchorage

Juneau jumps out to 19-0 lead on Eagles’ mistakes, but end up in battle until final few seconds

West Anchorage High School’s Zephaniah Sailele (6) breaks through Juneau defenders during Saturday’s game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Abby Dolan (wearing green) tries to take down Sofia Contreras during a Juneau Youth Wrestling Club camp Sept. 1 at the Juneau Wrestling Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Youths try to get a leg up — and opponents down — with help from pros at wrestling camps

With participation by girls rising and school teams getting bigger, every tip helps

Abby Dolan (wearing green) tries to take down Sofia Contreras during a Juneau Youth Wrestling Club camp Sept. 1 at the Juneau Wrestling Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Huskies players face off against each other during practice Tuesday in preparation for Saturday’s game against Service High School at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Huskies enter first home game of season with key players who are stronger, faster and more confident

After opening loss against East Anchorage, football team sets sights on beating Service High School.

Juneau Huskies players face off against each other during practice Tuesday in preparation for Saturday’s game against Service High School at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Isabella Lang gets an enthusiastic greeting as she finishes first overall in the Olympic distance in Aukeman Triathlon on Sunday. (Photo by Bob Eastaugh)

Record number of racers feel heat of new challenges, including first-ever long course, at Aukeman Triathlon

Isabella Lang, in a “for-fun” effort, gets dominant overall win in Olympic-length course.

Isabella Lang gets an enthusiastic greeting as she finishes first overall in the Olympic distance in Aukeman Triathlon on Sunday. (Photo by Bob Eastaugh)
Runners begin the 26.2-mile Juneau Marathon at Savikko Park on Saturday morning. More than 85 people registered for the full-length race, a record for the annual event that originated in 1992, but about 20 of them failed to show up for what turned out to be a rainy run. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Participants go to great lengths to run in the rain at the Juneau Marathon and Half Marathon

Dashing over from cruise ship, long trip around road-blocking landslide among paths to starting line.

Runners begin the 26.2-mile Juneau Marathon at Savikko Park on Saturday morning. More than 85 people registered for the full-length race, a record for the annual event that originated in 1992, but about 20 of them failed to show up for what turned out to be a rainy run. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Mila Hargrave, being hugged by the JDHS coaching staff, signed a national letter of intent on Monday at the George Houston Gymnasium to attend Pacific Lutheran University and play softball for the Lutes. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

JDHS softball star Mila Hargrave signs to the circle at Pacific Lutheran University

Multi-sport athlete will pitch for the Lutes.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Mila Hargrave, being hugged by the JDHS coaching staff, signed a national letter of intent on Monday at the George Houston Gymnasium to attend Pacific Lutheran University and play softball for the Lutes. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Mt. Edgecumbe High School coach Archie Young talks to an official during the Braves 63-61 loss to Nome in the 2024 ASAA March Madness Alaska 3A Boys Basketball State Championship game at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Photo by Klas Stolpe)

Archie Young: A final road trip as Mt. Edgecumbe basketball coach and teacher retires after 25 years

Long-ago star high school player became an extended family member to a generation of students.

  • May 2, 2024
  • By Klas Stolpe, For the Juneau Empire
  • SportsSports
Mt. Edgecumbe High School coach Archie Young talks to an official during the Braves 63-61 loss to Nome in the 2024 ASAA March Madness Alaska 3A Boys Basketball State Championship game at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Photo by Klas Stolpe)
Eulalia Roman, 12, with team Mat-Su competes in the wrist carry on the first day of the Native Youth Olympics Senior Games at the Alaska Airlines Center on Thursday in Anchorage. (Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Alaska’s Indigenous teens emulate ancestors’ Arctic survival skills at the Native Youth Olympics

The athletes filling a huge gym in Anchorage were ready to compete, cheering and stomping and high-fiving each other as they lined up for the… Continue reading

Eulalia Roman, 12, with team Mat-Su competes in the wrist carry on the first day of the Native Youth Olympics Senior Games at the Alaska Airlines Center on Thursday in Anchorage. (Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News via AP)
An outdoor basketball hoop is seen in Bethel in October 2022. Alaskans will be able to play only on sports teams that match their gender at birth through college if a new bill becomes law. (Photo by Claire Stremple)

Alaska House committee advances, expands proposal to bar trans girls from girls sports

Bill adds elementary, middle school and collegiate sports to limits in place for high school.

An outdoor basketball hoop is seen in Bethel in October 2022. Alaskans will be able to play only on sports teams that match their gender at birth through college if a new bill becomes law. (Photo by Claire Stremple)
Elias Lowell, 15, balances his way to the end of the pond during the annual Slush Cup at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Sunday, the last day of what officials called and up-and-down season. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Up-and-down season at Eaglecrest ends on splashy note with Slush Cup

Ski area’s annual beach party features ice-filled water, snowy shores and showboating skimmers.

Elias Lowell, 15, balances his way to the end of the pond during the annual Slush Cup at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Sunday, the last day of what officials called and up-and-down season. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)