Sports

Young female spruce cones grow upright and bend down to open when the seeds are ripe and ready to disperse. (Photo by Mary Willson/courtesy)

On the Trails: Fledgling birds and spruce tips

The stroll was peaceful and the birds were singing.

Young female spruce cones grow upright and bend down to open when the seeds are ripe and ready to disperse. (Photo by Mary Willson/courtesy)
Runners cross Willoughby Avenue on Friday, June 20, 2025. Leading the pack are Adeline Souza and Heather Jones dressed as Mrs. Roper from the 1970’s sitcom Three’s Company. They were inspired by the nationwide phenomenon ‘Mrs. Roper Romps.’ (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)

Solstice tradition sends characters dashing through downtown

Blue Men, the Mad Hatter and a bowling ball bring the heat during the longest day of the year

Runners cross Willoughby Avenue on Friday, June 20, 2025. Leading the pack are Adeline Souza and Heather Jones dressed as Mrs. Roper from the 1970’s sitcom Three’s Company. They were inspired by the nationwide phenomenon ‘Mrs. Roper Romps.’ (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)
Photo by Jeff Helminiak / Peninsula Clarion Jacob Katasse of Auke Bay Post 25 ducks under a pitch in front of catcher Conner Mitchuson of Madisonville (Kentucky) Post 6 on Friday, June 20 in the Lance Coz Wood Bat Tournament at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai .

Juneau’s Alaska Legion baseball team hits the road

Auke Bay Post 25 travels to Kenai tournament, Anchorage next

Photo by Jeff Helminiak / Peninsula Clarion Jacob Katasse of Auke Bay Post 25 ducks under a pitch in front of catcher Conner Mitchuson of Madisonville (Kentucky) Post 6 on Friday, June 20 in the Lance Coz Wood Bat Tournament at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai .
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Twins, Kentucky squad to play for Coz Wood Bat title on Sunday

The American Legion Post 20 Twins and Madisonville (Kentucky) Post 6 will play for the Lance Coz Wood Bat Tournament title Sunday at 1 p.m.… Continue reading

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Clyde Clemens of the Post 20 Twins swings through a hit pitch Friday, June 20, 2025, in the Lance Coz Wood Bat Tournament at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Wood Bat tourney carries on legacy of Coz

From 1975 until his death in 2020, former Twins manager and head coach Lance Coz built a Post 20 Twins program known for great baseball… Continue reading

Clyde Clemens of the Post 20 Twins swings through a hit pitch Friday, June 20, 2025, in the Lance Coz Wood Bat Tournament at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Juneau’s Auke Bay Post 25 players Hunter Carte, JJ McCormick, Micaw Nelson and Noah Lewis listen to manager Joe Tompkins during last weekend’s action against Anchorage’s South Post 4 at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s Alaska Legion baseball team hits the road

Auke Bay Post 25 travels to Kenai tournament

Juneau’s Auke Bay Post 25 players Hunter Carte, JJ McCormick, Micaw Nelson and Noah Lewis listen to manager Joe Tompkins during last weekend’s action against Anchorage’s South Post 4 at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Runners move along the Juneau Ridge Race course during the outing in 2023. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Ridge Race offers something for all

Warm weather, soft snow conditions to be expected

Runners move along the Juneau Ridge Race course during the outing in 2023. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The author with a king salmon caught on a fly rod. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: No time like the present

The end of my line thrashed back and forth at the surface, throwing water in every direction. But the fish didn’t turn and run, so… Continue reading

The author with a king salmon caught on a fly rod. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Lund)
Juneau’s Auke Bay Post 25 shortstop Kasen Ludeman attempts to tag Anchorage’s South Post 4 runner Mark Warren at third base during Alaska American Legion baseball action Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s Alaska Legion baseball team opens season

Auke Bay Post 25 fights through four-game series.

Juneau’s Auke Bay Post 25 shortstop Kasen Ludeman attempts to tag Anchorage’s South Post 4 runner Mark Warren at third base during Alaska American Legion baseball action Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
A Pelagic cormorant in flight. (Michael L. Baird / CC BY 2.0 photo)

On The Trails: A change of scene

By Mary F. Willson

A Pelagic cormorant in flight. (Michael L. Baird / CC BY 2.0 photo)
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)