Sports

Harold Axel Stolpe holding son Klas at their home in Petersburg circa 1960. (Photo courtesy of Klas Stolpe)

Pure Sole: My Father’s Hands

By Klas Stolpe

Harold Axel Stolpe holding son Klas at their home in Petersburg circa 1960. (Photo courtesy of Klas Stolpe)
Kai Ciambor, a 2025 graduate of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé, in action against West Anchorage during the ASAA Division I Soccer State Championships at Colony High School on May 30. Ciambor was selected the Gatorade Alaska Boys Soccer Player of the Year on Thursday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Kai Ciambor named Gatorade Alaska Boys Soccer Player of the Year

Crimson Bears 2025 graduate earns top honor in high school sports.

Kai Ciambor, a 2025 graduate of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé, in action against West Anchorage during the ASAA Division I Soccer State Championships at Colony High School on May 30. Ciambor was selected the Gatorade Alaska Boys Soccer Player of the Year on Thursday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé track and field coach Jesse Stringer, 2025 JDHS graduate Nick Iverson, JDHS sophomore to be Bella Connally, and JDHS assistant track and field coaches Jennifer Strumfeld and Tina Martin pose for a photo on Wednesday at the JDHS auxiliary gym after Iverson and Connally had school records noted. (Photo courtesy Chris Connally)

Crimson Bears Iverson, Connally place names on record wall

JDHS track and field stars new school records registered on high.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé track and field coach Jesse Stringer, 2025 JDHS graduate Nick Iverson, JDHS sophomore to be Bella Connally, and JDHS assistant track and field coaches Jennifer Strumfeld and Tina Martin pose for a photo on Wednesday at the JDHS auxiliary gym after Iverson and Connally had school records noted. (Photo courtesy Chris Connally)
Grace Dumas approaches the finish of the East Glacier Trail Tangle on Tuesday. The 4.9-mile race follows part of Under Thunder Trail around East Glacier Trail and back. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Morely, Tanel top East Glacier Trail Tangle

Sprints, climbs, descents and bears overcome.

Grace Dumas approaches the finish of the East Glacier Trail Tangle on Tuesday. The 4.9-mile race follows part of Under Thunder Trail around East Glacier Trail and back. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Stinky Rats’ Jason Norat is congratulated by teammates as he finishes the Seacoast Relay at the Eagle Beach State Park outer beach picnic shelter on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Stinky Rats find burritos at Seacoast Relay

13 teams share in the spoils of winners’ bounty.

Stinky Rats’ Jason Norat is congratulated by teammates as he finishes the Seacoast Relay at the Eagle Beach State Park outer beach picnic shelter on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior pitcher Hunter Carte (7) and freshman pitcher Micah Nelson (3) pose for a photo at the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DI Baseball State Tournament at Anchorage’s Mulchay Stadium. (Photo courtesy JDHS baseball)

Crimson Bears finish sixth at state baseball tournament

JDHS falls to Dimond Lynx 10-7 in season’s final game

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior pitcher Hunter Carte (7) and freshman pitcher Micah Nelson (3) pose for a photo at the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DI Baseball State Tournament at Anchorage’s Mulchay Stadium. (Photo courtesy JDHS baseball)
Male wood ducks have colorful plumage and do not share parental duties. (Photo courtesy of Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: Wood ducks

Wood ducks nest seasonally in forested areas across North America from coast to coast in southern Canada and the northern tier of states. From southern… Continue reading

Male wood ducks have colorful plumage and do not share parental duties. (Photo courtesy of Kerry Howard)
The Sitka Wolves baseball team celebrate their 7-0 win over the Service Cougars in the championship game Saturday of the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DI Baseball State Tournament at Anchorage’s Mulchay Stadium. (Photo courtesy Heather Gluth)

Sitka Wolves are state baseball champions

Bryce Calhoun pitches one-hit title clincher.

The Sitka Wolves baseball team celebrate their 7-0 win over the Service Cougars in the championship game Saturday of the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DI Baseball State Tournament at Anchorage’s Mulchay Stadium. (Photo courtesy Heather Gluth)
The Sitka Wolves softball team pose for a championship photo after defeating Soldotna 16-13 in the championship game Saturday of the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DII Softball State Tournament at Anchorage’s Cartee Fields. (Photo courtesy Sitka Softball)

Sitka Wolves softball repeat as Alaska state champions

Walk-off home run by junior Alina Lebahn clinches title.

The Sitka Wolves softball team pose for a championship photo after defeating Soldotna 16-13 in the championship game Saturday of the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DII Softball State Tournament at Anchorage’s Cartee Fields. (Photo courtesy Sitka Softball)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Gwen Nizich readies for action during Friday’s 9-8 loss to Dimond in the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DI Softball State Tournament at Anchorage’s Cartee Fields. (Photo courtesy JDHS softball)

Crimson Bears softball season ends in 9-8 loss to Lynx in state tournament

JDHS Nizich earns all-state honor as Crimson Bears win 1, lose 2 on final day.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Gwen Nizich readies for action during Friday’s 9-8 loss to Dimond in the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DI Softball State Tournament at Anchorage’s Cartee Fields. (Photo courtesy JDHS softball)
In this file photo Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Brandon Casperson hits during a home game. The Crimson Bears will play in the fourth/sixth-place game Saturday in the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DI Baseball State Championships at Anchorage’s Mulchay Stadium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS eliminates Wasilla from state baseball play

Crimson Bears earn Saturday’s fourth/sixth-place game.

In this file photo Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Brandon Casperson hits during a home game. The Crimson Bears will play in the fourth/sixth-place game Saturday in the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DI Baseball State Championships at Anchorage’s Mulchay Stadium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
In this file photo Sitka junior Allyson Mayville sets for a pitch against JDHS. On Thursday Sitka defeated Soldotna and Kenai to open the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DII Softball State Championships on Anchorage’s Cartee Fields. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sitka opens softball state tournament with two wins Thursday

Brenton, Mayville bats lead Wolves’ routs of Soldotna 16-4, Kenai 20-6.

In this file photo Sitka junior Allyson Mayville sets for a pitch against JDHS. On Thursday Sitka defeated Soldotna and Kenai to open the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DII Softball State Championships on Anchorage’s Cartee Fields. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
In this file photo Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Brynn Wheeler connects on a pitch against Lathrop. Wheeler and the Crimson Bears lost to South and defeated Dimond on Thursday in the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DI Softball State Championships on Anchorage’s Cartee Fields. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS softball team opens state tournament with mixed results

Crimson Bears battle in round-robin seeding format.

In this file photo Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Brynn Wheeler connects on a pitch against Lathrop. Wheeler and the Crimson Bears lost to South and defeated Dimond on Thursday in the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DI Softball State Championships on Anchorage’s Cartee Fields. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
In this file photo Crimson Bears junior pitcher Riley Fick and junior catcher Nate Fick listen to pitching coach Jaime Kissner during a game against Sitka at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears baseball team bitten by Cougars

JDHS opens state tournament play with 5-0 loss to Service.

In this file photo Crimson Bears junior pitcher Riley Fick and junior catcher Nate Fick listen to pitching coach Jaime Kissner during a game against Sitka at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Sitka junior Caleb Calhoun pitches during the Wolves 3-0 win over South Anchorage on the opening day of the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DI Baseball State Championships at Anchorage’s Mulchay Stadium. (Photo courtesy Heather Gluth)

Sitka advances to state semifinal with no-hitter over South

Calhoun sits 15 Cougars down, Bartolaba bat keeps them there.

Sitka junior Caleb Calhoun pitches during the Wolves 3-0 win over South Anchorage on the opening day of the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DI Baseball State Championships at Anchorage’s Mulchay Stadium. (Photo courtesy Heather Gluth)
The author finishing the 2024 Seacoast Relay from UAS to the Eagle Beach State Park outer beach picnic shelter. (Photo courtesy The Marmoteers)

Pure Sole: Race the Seacoast Relay, I dare you

I have learned two important lessons in my competitive sports career. One: Be humble in your endeavors or you may be humbled by a competitor.… Continue reading

The author finishing the 2024 Seacoast Relay from UAS to the Eagle Beach State Park outer beach picnic shelter. (Photo courtesy The Marmoteers)
The author encounters a ptarmigan on a hike to retrieve a game camera in the subalpine. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went To The Woods: My buddy the bird

I was limited on time so I pushed up the improved game trail toward a game camera I strapped to a tree sometime last year.… Continue reading

The author encounters a ptarmigan on a hike to retrieve a game camera in the subalpine. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Nick Iverson makes a move over South junior Vebjorn Flagstad in the 1,600 final during the 2025 ASAA/First Bank Alaska State Track & Field Championships on Saturday at Anchorage’s Dimond High School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS senior Iverson wins two state track titles and athlete of the meet honor

Crimson Bears freshman Bella Connelly sets school record in 100 state title.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Nick Iverson makes a move over South junior Vebjorn Flagstad in the 1,600 final during the 2025 ASAA/First Bank Alaska State Track & Field Championships on Saturday at Anchorage’s Dimond High School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Ketchikan senior Jason Lorig wins the Division I boys 100 meter state title over Soldotna junior Tyce Escott with Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Finley Hightower and West Anchorage senior Beckett Stolp placing third and fourth during the 2025 ASAA/First Bank Alaska State Track & Field Championships on Saturday at Anchorage’s Dimond High School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Results from the ASAA Track and Field State Championships

ASAA Track and Field State Championships DIVISION I TEAM SCORES Girls 1) Chugiak 107; 2) Dimond 97; 3) Soldotna 62; 4) South Anchorage 46; 5)… Continue reading

Ketchikan senior Jason Lorig wins the Division I boys 100 meter state title over Soldotna junior Tyce Escott with Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Finley Hightower and West Anchorage senior Beckett Stolp placing third and fourth during the 2025 ASAA/First Bank Alaska State Track & Field Championships on Saturday at Anchorage’s Dimond High School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
A yellow-rumped warbler. (Photo by Helen Unruh)

On the Trails: Yellow-rumped warblers and other observations

My peanut butter feeder draws a nice assortment of visitors, including chickadees, nuthatches, siskins, juncos, a hairy woodpecker, and a squirrel. Most of these also… Continue reading

A yellow-rumped warbler. (Photo by Helen Unruh)