Sports

June Troxel (left), a sophomore for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s varsity volleyball team, sets up a teammate during Saturday’s game against Mountain City Christian Academy in an elimination game of the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza at JDHS. Pictured on the court with Troxel are Amelia Elfers (13), Lavinia Ma’ake (11) and Braith Dihle (2). Head Coach Jody Levernier is standing behind them holding a clipboard. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JDHS volleyball teams find their new groove hosting JIVE tournament

Varsity built from 91 players seeking spots after consolidation settles in; two JV teams face off in semifinal.

June Troxel (left), a sophomore for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s varsity volleyball team, sets up a teammate during Saturday’s game against Mountain City Christian Academy in an elimination game of the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza at JDHS. Pictured on the court with Troxel are Amelia Elfers (13), Lavinia Ma’ake (11) and Braith Dihle (2). Head Coach Jody Levernier is standing behind them holding a clipboard. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Spotted tussock moth caterpillars are the local version of woolly bears. (Photo by Bob Armstong)

On the Trails: Woolly bears and spider webs

It’s early fall and we sometimes enjoy seeing fuzzy orange and black caterpillars trekking over the trails on their way to better foraging or a… Continue reading

Spotted tussock moth caterpillars are the local version of woolly bears. (Photo by Bob Armstong)
The Division I girls begin their first loop during the 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears leave large paw prints at state cross-country running championships

Meyer places second for Division I girls, Thompson second among Division I boys.

The Division I girls begin their first loop during the 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Petersburg junior Gaje Ventress (413) leads classmate Alex Holmgrain (407) to the finish of the Division III boys 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Petersburg boys and girls sweep Division III State XC team titles

Craig’s Nelson defeats state boys field, Unalakleet’s Busk defends girls championship.

Petersburg junior Gaje Ventress (413) leads classmate Alex Holmgrain (407) to the finish of the Division III boys 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Sitka senior Clare Mullin defends her Division II state championship as she approaches the finish of the 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Division II state cross-country harriers fed to the Wolves and Lions

Sitka’s Clare Mullin, Grace’s Robbie Annett defend their crowns.

Sitka senior Clare Mullin defends her Division II state championship as she approaches the finish of the 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Huskies’ senior Jayden Johnson (4) runs for a 51-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter of Friday night’s game against Colony High School in Palmer. Johnson scored five touchdowns in the first half as Juneau defeated Colony 42-6. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Jayden Johnson puts on super-hot show on frigid night as Huskies run over Colony 42-6

Juneau senior runs for 5 TDs, more than 150 yards in first half; Huskies enter playoffs as likely sixth seed.

Juneau Huskies’ senior Jayden Johnson (4) runs for a 51-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter of Friday night’s game against Colony High School in Palmer. Johnson scored five touchdowns in the first half as Juneau defeated Colony 42-6. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
A male peregrine falcon that hatched in 2023 looks at the biologist who captured him on South Padre Island in Texas in late 2023. (Photo courtesy Padre Island Peregrine Falcon Survey)

Alaska Science Forum: Alaska peregrine falcon numbers drop again

Skip Ambrose has floated the upper Yukon River almost every year since Richard Nixon was President. Back then, in 1973, only 12 pairs of peregrine… Continue reading

A male peregrine falcon that hatched in 2023 looks at the biologist who captured him on South Padre Island in Texas in late 2023. (Photo courtesy Padre Island Peregrine Falcon Survey)
The new course along the Bartlett High School Trails for the ASAA State Cross Country Running Championships on Saturday. (Alaska School Activities Association map)

State’s best cross-country runners will race on new championship course

About 460 athletes, including 14 from JDHS, take on twists, turns and variety along trail on Saturday.

The new course along the Bartlett High School Trails for the ASAA State Cross Country Running Championships on Saturday. (Alaska School Activities Association map)
A young bleeding tooth mushroom sheds excess water in red drops. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Birds, leaves and mushrooms at the onset of autumn

On a dark and dismal day in late September, I cheered myself up by remembering some pleasing observations in recent weeks: • On the dike… Continue reading

A young bleeding tooth mushroom sheds excess water in red drops. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
Jayden Johnson (4) throws a pass for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against Bartlett High School at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. Johnson, a senior wide receiver, played nearly the entire game at quarterback. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Huskies blow first half lead, lose home finale 34-20 to Bartlett High School

With JDHS on verge of potential tying score in final minutes, Bartlett returns fumble 95 yards for TD.

Jayden Johnson (4) throws a pass for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against Bartlett High School at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. Johnson, a senior wide receiver, played nearly the entire game at quarterback. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Ida Meyer runs past Ward Lake as she competes in the Women’s 5,000-meter race during the Division 1 Region V Cross Country event on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. Meyer won the event with a time of 19:37.76. (Christopher Mullen/ Ketchikan Daily News)

Ida’s ‘Meyer Miles’ too much for Region V harriers

JDHS senior wins championship, leads Crimson Bears to girls’ cross-country team title

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Ida Meyer runs past Ward Lake as she competes in the Women’s 5,000-meter race during the Division 1 Region V Cross Country event on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. Meyer won the event with a time of 19:37.76. (Christopher Mullen/ Ketchikan Daily News)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Nick Iverson leads his teammates Erik Thompson and Owen Woodruff as they take first, second and third place in the Men’s 5,000-meter race during the Division 1 Region V Cross Country meet at Ward Lake in Ketchikan on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. Iverson won the event with at time of 16:27.11. (Christopher Mullen/ Ketchikan Daily News)

Iverson puts senior stamp on Region V championship as Crimson Bears take boys team title

“I think if we didn’t combine schools there would be no way we had a chance of getting state this year.”

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Nick Iverson leads his teammates Erik Thompson and Owen Woodruff as they take first, second and third place in the Men’s 5,000-meter race during the Division 1 Region V Cross Country meet at Ward Lake in Ketchikan on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. Iverson won the event with at time of 16:27.11. (Christopher Mullen/ Ketchikan Daily News)
Jeremy Hamey, a Juneau resident, is having a career year as a professional poker player. (Alaska Sports Report photo)

Juneau poker pro Jeremy Hamey wins back-to-back tournaments in California

Juneau’s Jeremy Hamey has gone from making jumpers to making a living at the poker table. The former Alaska high school basketball star is having… Continue reading

  • Sep 28, 2024
  • By Van Williams Alaska Sports Report
  • poker
Jeremy Hamey, a Juneau resident, is having a career year as a professional poker player. (Alaska Sports Report photo)
Being tired from a hike is far different than the type of tired that comes with a newborn baby. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Discovering how being tired as a new parent is life-giving

“I’m so tired.” I had no idea how to reply. As a basketball coach you tell players to push through. As a high school teacher… Continue reading

Being tired from a hike is far different than the type of tired that comes with a newborn baby. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s swim and dive team does a cheer before the start of the Kayhi Swim Invitational at the Gateway Aquatic Center last Friday. (Christopher Mullen/ Ketchikan Daily News)

Crimson Bears devour Kings in Ketchikan pool

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears swim and dive team had their second consecutive successful meet of the season last weekend in a… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s swim and dive team does a cheer before the start of the Kayhi Swim Invitational at the Gateway Aquatic Center last Friday. (Christopher Mullen/ Ketchikan Daily News)
Boys from high schools throughout Southeast Alaska run along the Treadwell Mine Historic Trail during the Capital City Invite 5K last Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

A Crimson Bears cross-country team with ‘really incredible depth’ heads to regions

JDHS competitors in Ketchikan this weekend seeking to earn spot at state meet the following week.

Boys from high schools throughout Southeast Alaska run along the Treadwell Mine Historic Trail during the Capital City Invite 5K last Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau Huskies junior quarterback Noah Ault (1) awaits the snap from junior center Jonah Mahle (54) as junior offensive lineman Kyle Carter (71) and junior running back Samuel Sarof (27) await action during a game against West Anchorage at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park earlier this season. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Juneau Huskies host Bartlett Golden Bears with playoff implications on senior night

JDHS can finish anywhere between fourth and eighth in conference with two games to go.

Juneau Huskies junior quarterback Noah Ault (1) awaits the snap from junior center Jonah Mahle (54) as junior offensive lineman Kyle Carter (71) and junior running back Samuel Sarof (27) await action during a game against West Anchorage at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park earlier this season. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s PJ Foy was named to the Junior National Team. (Alaska Sports Report photo)

Juneau swimmer PJ Foy named to U.S. Junior National Team

Juneau swimmer PJ Foy’s big year just keeps getting better. He competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials in June. He enrolled at the University of… Continue reading

  • Sep 25, 2024
  • By Van Williams, Alaska Sports Report
  • Swimming
Juneau’s PJ Foy was named to the Junior National Team. (Alaska Sports Report photo)
Amanita mushrooms are large, white-spotted, and usually red. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Marvellous fungi

People often think of fungi as dietary items or as agents of rot and decay. Fair enough, but those are only two small windows into… Continue reading

Amanita mushrooms are large, white-spotted, and usually red. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
A Hoonah High School runner splashes through a puddle on the Treadwell Mine Historic Trail during the Capital City Invite 5K on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A big splash in the mud for about 200 Southeast cross-country runners at Capital City Invite

Sitka makes clean sweep of individual races; JDHS wins both team categories

A Hoonah High School runner splashes through a puddle on the Treadwell Mine Historic Trail during the Capital City Invite 5K on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)