Sports

Ashlyn Gates of Thunder Mountain High School deflects the ball past a Craig High School player during the Gold Bracket semi-final game of the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza at Juneau-Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School on Saturday. TMHS, the top seed in the six-team bracket, lost the title game to Chugiak High School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

TMHS falls in ’epic’ JIVE finale to Chugiak

Local No. 1 seed falls short to rally by No. 2 team during two-day regional volleyball tournament

Ashlyn Gates of Thunder Mountain High School deflects the ball past a Craig High School player during the Gold Bracket semi-final game of the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza at Juneau-Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School on Saturday. TMHS, the top seed in the six-team bracket, lost the title game to Chugiak High School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Jarrell Williams (1) smiles after securing what was essentially a game-ending interception. Payton Grant (9) and Thomas Baxter (84) react to the big play. After the big play, the Huskies’ offense would take the field for victory formation. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies advance to state championship game

Juneau will face Colony High School in Anchorage.

Jarrell Williams (1) smiles after securing what was essentially a game-ending interception. Payton Grant (9) and Thomas Baxter (84) react to the big play. After the big play, the Huskies’ offense would take the field for victory formation. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School swim team featured in the is photo at their first meet of the season at the beginning of September in Craig. (Courtesy Photo / Josiah Loseby)

Prep swim teams get ready for regions

Regions begin on Oct. 28

Thunder Mountain High School swim team featured in the is photo at their first meet of the season at the beginning of September in Craig. (Courtesy Photo / Josiah Loseby)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File The Juneau Huskies offense prepares to line up in last week’s victory against South Anchorage High School.

Huskies host East with title berth on the line

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File The Juneau Huskies offense prepares to line up in last week’s victory against South Anchorage High School.
Eight tennis players from the Juneau-Douglas High School tennis team represented Southeast Alaska at this year’s state championship and earned a tie for third place as a team with senior Katie Pikul earning the bulk of the team’s points after winning the girls’ singles championship, a feat which hasn’t been done by a Juneau player in over a decade. (Courtesy / Mona Mametsuka)

Juneau tennis player wins girls singles championship at state

The team earned a tie for third place.

Eight tennis players from the Juneau-Douglas High School tennis team represented Southeast Alaska at this year’s state championship and earned a tie for third place as a team with senior Katie Pikul earning the bulk of the team’s points after winning the girls’ singles championship, a feat which hasn’t been done by a Juneau player in over a decade. (Courtesy / Mona Mametsuka)
Senior Talita Toutailepo waves to the crowd during introductions before the team’s first match up against the Ketchikan Lady Kings back in early Sept. Over the weekend Toutailepo came up big in THMS’ second face off against the Lady Kings. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Thunder Mountain nets two wins in Ketchikan

Conference record extends to perfect 6-0

Senior Talita Toutailepo waves to the crowd during introductions before the team’s first match up against the Ketchikan Lady Kings back in early Sept. Over the weekend Toutailepo came up big in THMS’ second face off against the Lady Kings. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Payton Grant makes his way to the end zone for his —and the Huskies’— first touchdown of the game as his teammates signal the score. Grant, a senior, had a big day for Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies set playoff points record against South Anchorage

Juneau on cloud 9-0.

Payton Grant makes his way to the end zone for his —and the Huskies’— first touchdown of the game as his teammates signal the score. Grant, a senior, had a big day for Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Juneau's high school football team finished the regular season 8-0 (7-0 in conference) after hanging on to win a 19-14 nail-biter against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Huskies finish regular season undefeated

Huskies hang on — but not without last-minute drama.

Juneau's high school football team finished the regular season 8-0 (7-0 in conference) after hanging on to win a 19-14 nail-biter against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Wendy Vuille poses with skater Brendyn Hatfield at the Arizona Adult Skating Camp. (Courtesy Photo / Wendy Vuille)

Better skate than never: Over a decade of hard work nets Juneau woman rare honor

Over a decade of hard work nets Juneau woman rare honor

Wendy Vuille poses with skater Brendyn Hatfield at the Arizona Adult Skating Camp. (Courtesy Photo / Wendy Vuille)
A total of 145 boys from 10 Southeast Alaska high schools dash out from the starting line at the Capital City Invite at A Káx Yaa Andagan Yé (Sandy Beach) on Saturday morning. The 5K race for boys’ and girls’ teams was the region’s largest cross-country race of the season, and final regular season competition before the regional championship in Sitka this weekend. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Many merry after massive muddy meet

Juneau’s cross-country runners and coaches in sunny spirits about chances going into championships

A total of 145 boys from 10 Southeast Alaska high schools dash out from the starting line at the Capital City Invite at A Káx Yaa Andagan Yé (Sandy Beach) on Saturday morning. The 5K race for boys’ and girls’ teams was the region’s largest cross-country race of the season, and final regular season competition before the regional championship in Sitka this weekend. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
TMHS’ Ashlyn Gates and JDHS’ Mila Hargrave both reach for the ball during the second set of a cross-town volleyball match held at JDHS on Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

TMHS wins two cross-town matches

TMHS wins two cross-town matches

TMHS’ Ashlyn Gates and JDHS’ Mila Hargrave both reach for the ball during the second set of a cross-town volleyball match held at JDHS on Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A Lucas White (21) block buys Jarrell Williams (1) more room to work during a 49-32 win against Service High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Juneau cooks up a conference title

Huskies are back-to-back Cook Inlet Conference champs after lopsided win.

A Lucas White (21) block buys Jarrell Williams (1) more room to work during a 49-32 win against Service High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
From left to right, Thunder Mountain High School cross country runners Randy Stichert, Piper Blackgoat and Kobe Yturbe finish up their run at cross country practice on Monday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Lacing up: Local cross country teams prep to host the largest race in Southeast Alaska this weekend

Run Juneau, run!

From left to right, Thunder Mountain High School cross country runners Randy Stichert, Piper Blackgoat and Kobe Yturbe finish up their run at cross country practice on Monday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Senior Moana Tuviafale of Thunder Mountain High School (far right) was named to the all-tournament team at this year’s Spiktacular tournament this weekend at West Anchorage High School. From left to right, other players in photo are Hayden Inman of Chugiak High School, Liyah Pilgrim of Colony High School and Marija Wunnicke of South High School. (Courtesy Photo / Julie Herman)

TMHS takes 3rd at Spiketacular tournament

The Falcons are ranked 3rd in the state

Senior Moana Tuviafale of Thunder Mountain High School (far right) was named to the all-tournament team at this year’s Spiktacular tournament this weekend at West Anchorage High School. From left to right, other players in photo are Hayden Inman of Chugiak High School, Liyah Pilgrim of Colony High School and Marija Wunnicke of South High School. (Courtesy Photo / Julie Herman)
Jarrell Williams, who scored five TDs against South Anchorage to help Juneau maintain an undefeated record, looks over the line of scrimmage in an Aug. 27 game against West Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

5 TD’s power Juneau’s 6th win

Juneau football still undefeated on the season.

Jarrell Williams, who scored five TDs against South Anchorage to help Juneau maintain an undefeated record, looks over the line of scrimmage in an Aug. 27 game against West Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Jarrell Williams (1) and Thomas Baxter (84) celebrate a big play on defense early in Juneau's win over the visiting West Valley Rams. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies get the Rams’ goat under Friday night lights

Juneau remains undefeated on the season.

Jarrell Williams (1) and Thomas Baxter (84) celebrate a big play on defense early in Juneau's win over the visiting West Valley Rams. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire From left to right, Liz Perry, president and CEO of Travel Juneau; SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium project manager Sierra Gadaire; High Cadence Triathlon team coach Jamie Bursell; and City and Borough of Juneau Finance Director Jeff Rogers met at Juneau Moose Family Center on Thursday afternoon to share a recap of the Ironman Alaska to a full crowd of members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce who joined in at the luncheon.

2023 vision: Officials look at the future of Ironman Alaska

They reviewed what went well and what could change for next time.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire From left to right, Liz Perry, president and CEO of Travel Juneau; SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium project manager Sierra Gadaire; High Cadence Triathlon team coach Jamie Bursell; and City and Borough of Juneau Finance Director Jeff Rogers met at Juneau Moose Family Center on Thursday afternoon to share a recap of the Ironman Alaska to a full crowd of members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce who joined in at the luncheon.
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Two-time national champion and Olympic bronze medalist Gracie Gold talks with the Juneau Empire ahead of her upcoming free speech at Juneau-Douglas High School on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m.

Olympian takes time to talk mental health

Bronze medalist, 2-time champ to speak Saturday.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Two-time national champion and Olympic bronze medalist Gracie Gold talks with the Juneau Empire ahead of her upcoming free speech at Juneau-Douglas High School on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m.
FILE - Lance Mackey sits with his lead dogs Larry, right, and Maple after crossing the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on March 18, 2009, in Nome, Alaska, to win his third Iditarod in a row. Mackey, a four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race winner and one of mushing’s most colorful and accomplished champions who also suffered from health and drug issues, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, his father and kennel announced on Facebook. He was 52. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)

Cancer claims 4-time Iditarod champion Lance Mackey

Officials with the world’s most famous sled dog race said Iditarod Nation was in mourning.

  • Sep 8, 2022
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
FILE - Lance Mackey sits with his lead dogs Larry, right, and Maple after crossing the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on March 18, 2009, in Nome, Alaska, to win his third Iditarod in a row. Mackey, a four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race winner and one of mushing’s most colorful and accomplished champions who also suffered from health and drug issues, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, his father and kennel announced on Facebook. He was 52. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)
Senior Moana Tuvifale scored the most aces over the weekend as TMHS hosted the Kayhi Lady Kings. (Juneau Empire / Ben Hohenstatt)

Thunder Mountain lands big wins against Ketchikan over the weekend

Girls volleyball now 2-0 in conference

Senior Moana Tuvifale scored the most aces over the weekend as TMHS hosted the Kayhi Lady Kings. (Juneau Empire / Ben Hohenstatt)