Nolin Ainsworth

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 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)
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)
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)
Coach Mark Kappler walks with Brice Norton, right, Mackenzie Lam and Renee Win, left, as they practice their trap shooting at the Juneau Gun Club on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Youth trap shooters to compete locally

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

Coach Mark Kappler walks with Brice Norton, right, Mackenzie Lam and Renee Win, left, as they practice their trap shooting at the Juneau Gun Club on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Southeast teams from Juneau, left, Sitka, center, and Ketchikan, right, stand for the national anthem at the start of the “Halloween Classic” gymnastics meet on Saturday morning at the Southeast Alaska Gymnastics Academy in the Mendenhall Valley. The USA Gymnastics-sanctioned meet included 50 gymnasts competing on all four girls’ events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise, and in the all around. Juneau’s Kristie Kulbeth, Skylar Oliva and Megan Lujan ranked first in their respective age classes and divisions. (Courtesy Photo | Bridget Lugan)
Southeast teams from Juneau, left, Sitka, center, and Ketchikan, right, stand for the national anthem at the start of the “Halloween Classic” gymnastics meet on Saturday morning at the Southeast Alaska Gymnastics Academy in the Mendenhall Valley. The USA Gymnastics-sanctioned meet included 50 gymnasts competing on all four girls’ events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise, and in the all around. Juneau’s Kristie Kulbeth, Skylar Oliva and Megan Lujan ranked first in their respective age classes and divisions. (Courtesy Photo | Bridget Lugan)
Falcons fifth overall at Dimond tourney

Falcons fifth overall at Dimond tourney

Thunder Mountain had yet to play teams from the volleyball hotbed in Southcentral before this week. The Falcons had fared well against Southeast schools, and… Continue reading

Falcons fifth overall at Dimond tourney
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 by pin at 1:10. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Falcons wrestling hit the Pilot mats

Juneau-Douglas 125-pounder Jahrease Mays made quick work of his finals match at the Brandon Pilot Invitational on Saturday night at Thunder Mountain High School. Mays,… 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 by pin at 1:10. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)