From left to right, Minta Schwartz, Matthew Quinto, Kyle Khaayák’w Worl, Ezra Elisoff, Leif Richards, Jordan Bennett, Lyric Ashenfelter, Sonny Mazon and Nathan Blake stand alongside City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Monday night after being honored for their representation of Juneau for Team Alaska at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

From left to right, Minta Schwartz, Matthew Quinto, Kyle Khaayák’w Worl, Ezra Elisoff, Leif Richards, Jordan Bennett, Lyric Ashenfelter, Sonny Mazon and Nathan Blake stand alongside City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Monday night after being honored for their representation of Juneau for Team Alaska at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Assembly honors Juneau Arctic Winter Games athletes

The athlete’s traveled to Alberta, Canada in February to represent Juneau on Team Alaska.

Nine Juneau athletes were honored by the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Monday evening for their representation of Juneau and their contribution to Team Alaska’s second-place finish at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games held in Alberta, Canada, in early February.

Mayor Beth Weldon invited the athletes to join her at the front of the Assembly Chambers to be recognized by the Assembly, city administration and residents attending the meeting online and in person.

The athletes recognized were Minta Schwartz, Matthew Quinto, Kyle Khaayák’w Worl, Ezra Elisoff, Leif Richards, Jordan Bennett, Lyric Ashenfelter, Sonny Mazon and Nathan Blake, all representing Juneau. The nine were among the 300 Alaska athletes, coaches and staff who traveled to the games where Team Alaska won 145 medals, 58 of which were gold medals.

Nathan Blake waits to shake hands with City and Borough of Juneau administration and Assembly members Monday night after being honored alongside other athletes for their representation of Juneau for Team Alaska at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games in February. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Nathan Blake waits to shake hands with City and Borough of Juneau administration and Assembly members Monday night after being honored alongside other athletes for their representation of Juneau for Team Alaska at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games in February. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Each athlete was asked by Weldon to share their favorite part of the games.

Blake, Mazon, Ashenfelter and Bennett said the people and the friends they made were their favorite parts.

Richards, Elisoff, Quinto, Schwartz and Worl agreed, with Worl adding he also enjoyed meeting the other athletes who competed.

“I also got to be a coach, so seeing my athletes compete was special as well,” he said.

Kyle Khaayák’w Worl, an athlete and coach for Team Alaska at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games in February, shakes hands with City and Borough of Juneau Deputy City Manager Robert Barr Monday night. Worl competed in Arctic Sports.

Kyle Khaayák’w Worl, an athlete and coach for Team Alaska at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games in February, shakes hands with City and Borough of Juneau Deputy City Manager Robert Barr Monday night. Worl competed in Arctic Sports.

The Arctic Winter Games, an international circumpolar sport competition for northern and arctic athletes, are typically held every two years, however, due to COVID-19, the competition had been on hold since 2018. The games feature both traditional Indigenous events and winter sports, both of which the Juneau athletes participated in. Alaska will host the 2024 Arctic Winter Games.

• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807.

More in Sports

Fresh snow covers the surface of Eaglecrest Ski Area on Friday morning. General Manager Dave Scanlan said Thursday the plan is to open the ski area next Saturday. (Webcam photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)
Eaglecrest manager says things look cool for upcoming season, despite delayed opening

Strong numbers for season pass sales, number of foreign student employees, business leaders told.

The Yukon River, seen here as a wide white band, is freezing later in fall and breaking up earlier in spring than it was a few decades ago. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Alaska Science Forum: Long-term views of a changed Alaska

As an instructor for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, I have stood before… Continue reading

A light dusting of snow covers the ground at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Wednesday morning. The planned opening for the ski area has been delayed a week until Saturday, Dec. 9, according to General Manager Dave Scanlan. (Photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)
Eaglecrest delays scheduled opening by one week until next Saturday, Dec. 9

Warm temperatures and rain dissolved much of ski area’s snowpack, but cold and snow in forecast.

A female robin carries a wad of earthworms to her chicks. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
On the Trails: November gloom and cheers

I like to live where there are seasonal changes in weather and… Continue reading

Participants, many clad in fowl weather gear, head out onto the Airport Dike Trail during the annual Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run on Thursday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Turkey Trot participants thankful for fowl conditions

“Worst weather we’ve had in 10 years” just means burning off more calories.

Kristen Rozell skate skis in Valdez in January 2023. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Alaska Science Forum: Surfing in winter on cross-country skis

With mild temperatures and ample snow, much of Alaska is now primed… Continue reading

The author guides his skiff in the direction of muskegs free from digital connectivity, but there is no escaping thoughts of contemporary life. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
I Went to the Woods: Freedom of gratitude

I have fumbled for years attempting to put into words what the… Continue reading

(Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Soldotna hockey bounces back against Juneau

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kale loses 3-1 on Saturday after 4-3 win Friday

Lance Fenumiai, a Juneau resident seen here carrying the ball in a rugby match for St. Vincent College in Pennsylvania, has signed a Major League Rugby contract with the Dallas Jackals. (Photo courtesy of Lux214 Media Group)
JDHS grad Lance Fenumiai signs pro rugby contract with Dallas Jackals

Former college All-American to spend holidays training intensely for season that starts in February.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Casey Blackwell, 10, crosses the finish line after running 27 laps around the indoor track at Dimond Park Field House to complete the 5K Pajama Jog on Sunday.
Juneau Girls on the Run go the distance during 5K Pajama Jog

Participants finish looking like stars — 27 of them — after completing that many laps around track.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Samantha Schwarting and Thunder Mountain High School seniors PJ Foy and Olivia Mills (shown with Glacier Swim Club teammates) sign National Letters of Intent (NLI) on Tuesday at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center to swim and study in college. (Klas Stolpe for the Juneau Empire)
JDHS’ Schwarting, TMHS’ Foy, Mills sign

Longtime Glacier Swim Club teammates will compete collegiately.

Basketball players face off at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at for a basketball game in December 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Transgender sports ban now in effect, but Juneau and other school districts in no rush to comply

“I’ve never seen such unity against a policy,” local school member says after statewide conference.