Sports

Trees living at their environmental limits in Alaska often preserve past climate clues in their tree rings. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Alaska’s year without a summer

Two-hundred and forty-one years ago, when General George Washington marched back into New York City as British troops were walking out, a volcano erupted in… Continue reading

Trees living at their environmental limits in Alaska often preserve past climate clues in their tree rings. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
The author’s wife lines up to hit a golf ball at a driving range in Tucson last week. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Not missing out

I took a breath, followed what I could remember from my pre-swing routine, then brought the club down to the ball. The ball flew straight… Continue reading

  • Jan 4, 2024
  • By Jeff Lund
The author’s wife lines up to hit a golf ball at a driving range in Tucson last week. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé guard Alwen Carrillo (#3) looks to drive inside against Albuquerque High School during the final game of the Capital City Classic at JDHS on Saturday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Albuquerque holds off rallies by JDHS girls’ and boys’ teams to win Capital City Classic

Crimson Bears boys lose double-OT thriller, girls come up short in final minutes.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé guard Alwen Carrillo (#3) looks to drive inside against Albuquerque High School during the final game of the Capital City Classic at JDHS on Saturday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The boys’ all-tournament team at last week’s Clarke Cochrane Christmas Classic in Ketchikan includes Thunder Mountain High School guards Thomas Baxter and Samuel Lockhart. TMHS finished third among the eight boys’ teams in the tournament. (Photo courtesy TMHS basketball)

TMHS boys finish third in Clarke Cochrane Christmas Classic in Ketchikan

Falcons open with OT victory, fall short in comeback against champs before win in consolation game.

The boys’ all-tournament team at last week’s Clarke Cochrane Christmas Classic in Ketchikan includes Thunder Mountain High School guards Thomas Baxter and Samuel Lockhart. TMHS finished third among the eight boys’ teams in the tournament. (Photo courtesy TMHS basketball)
This adult male Anna’s hummingbird was captured, banded and released in Soldotna in June 2023. (Photo by T. Eskelin, USFWS)

On the Trails: Nectar-feeding birds

Nectar is a rich, sugary food source used by plants to attract pollinators, and many animals exploit that resource, including lots of birds. The sugary… Continue reading

This adult male Anna’s hummingbird was captured, banded and released in Soldotna in June 2023. (Photo by T. Eskelin, USFWS)
Sean Oliver (11) of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé and Mande Wanlemvo of Auburn Mountainview High School fight for the tipoff at the start of their first Capital City Classic game Wednesday night at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Tipoff of Capital City Classic goes in both directions for JDHS

Crimson Bears girls open hometown tournament with dominant victory, boys follow with lopsided loss.

Sean Oliver (11) of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé and Mande Wanlemvo of Auburn Mountainview High School fight for the tipoff at the start of their first Capital City Classic game Wednesday night at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
John Eichelberger of Fairbanks took this photo of the full moon on Dec. 26 north of Fairbanks. At the time he took this photo — solar noon in Fairbanks or about 1 p.m. local time — the full moon appeared due north of him. (Photo by John Eichelberger)

Alaska Science Forum: The super moons of this Alaska winter

Has the moon seemed exceptionally noticeable this winter? There’s a reason: The full moon currently never sets for many Alaskans. During the winter of 2023-2024,… Continue reading

John Eichelberger of Fairbanks took this photo of the full moon on Dec. 26 north of Fairbanks. At the time he took this photo — solar noon in Fairbanks or about 1 p.m. local time — the full moon appeared due north of him. (Photo by John Eichelberger)
Juneau athletes compete in the state softball title (left), Gold Medal Basketball Tournament (center) and ASAA State Swim & Dive Championships during some of 2023’s local highlight sports moments. (Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s top 10 sports stories of 2023

State titles for many, a historic losing season and death of a coaching icon among headline moments.

Juneau athletes compete in the state softball title (left), Gold Medal Basketball Tournament (center) and ASAA State Swim & Dive Championships during some of 2023’s local highlight sports moments. (Juneau Empire)
American coots gathered at Kingfisher Pond this winter. (Photo by Helen Unruh)

On the Trails: Wintering birds

Shortly before the winter solstice, I walked with a friend on the Boy Scout Camp Trail. There was a stiff, chilly breeze but — wonder… Continue reading

American coots gathered at Kingfisher Pond this winter. (Photo by Helen Unruh)
Mila Hargrave pitches for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé against Sitka High School on June 3 during the ASAA Division II State Softball Championships. (Courtesy of JDHS Softball)

JDHS all-star softball player to pitch for U.S. team at international tournament

Mila Hargrave selected for one of 16 teams at The Cup in the Netherlands next month.

Mila Hargrave pitches for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé against Sitka High School on June 3 during the ASAA Division II State Softball Championships. (Courtesy of JDHS Softball)
A coyote pauses on its way through the Presidio of San Francisco, a two-square mile former military base that is now managed by workers for the National Park Service. (Photo by Heather Liston)

Alaska Science Forum: The coyotes of San Francisco

A person is bound to notice changes if he bicycles the same pathways for 20 years. Such is the case in San Francisco, where the… Continue reading

A coyote pauses on its way through the Presidio of San Francisco, a two-square mile former military base that is now managed by workers for the National Park Service. (Photo by Heather Liston)
Travelling with a pack other than his hunting pack gave the author a false sense of security. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: A holiday surprise from TSA

“There a knife in here?” “Shouldn’t be.” As a TSA agent, how many times has he heard that? Of course there shouldn’t be, but if… Continue reading

Travelling with a pack other than his hunting pack gave the author a false sense of security. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Lund)
A pair of skiers are among the first to board the Ptarmigan lift on the first day of the 2023-24 season at Eaglecrest Ski Area shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Eaglecrest Ski Area opens at last with fresh snow, early-season conditions

Skiers describe conditions as excellent, but ski patrol warns people to watch for hazards.

A pair of skiers are among the first to board the Ptarmigan lift on the first day of the 2023-24 season at Eaglecrest Ski Area shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Wrestlers for South Anchorage High School, which won the ASAA Division I state wrestling tournament on Saturday, were easy to identify by their bleach blond hair. (Steven Glasheen / Alaska Sports Report)

South Anchorage High School wins D1 wrestling title

One TMHS competitor finishes fourth; two finish sixth in weight divisions during two-day tournament.

Wrestlers for South Anchorage High School, which won the ASAA Division I state wrestling tournament on Saturday, were easy to identify by their bleach blond hair. (Steven Glasheen / Alaska Sports Report)
People line up at the Ptarmigan lift on Sunday morning in the hope Eaglecrest Ski Area would begin limited operations during the day, but high winds prevented the lift from opening. The ski area is scheduled to begin its daily holiday schedule on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)

Eaglecrest’s attempted ‘early’ opening Sunday blown by wind, but ski area expects to open Wednesday

Heavy snow prompts effort for limited weekend opening after delays, but high winds prevent lift use.

People line up at the Ptarmigan lift on Sunday morning in the hope Eaglecrest Ski Area would begin limited operations during the day, but high winds prevented the lift from opening. The ski area is scheduled to begin its daily holiday schedule on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)
A firefighter clears loose brush from around a sequoia tree in Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park, Calif., in July 2022. (Garrett Dickman/National Park Service)

On the Trails: Fire-adapted trees

In areas subject to fairly frequent wildfires, especially surface fires, we find many plants that have evolved resistance to burning, even taking advantage of the… Continue reading

A firefighter clears loose brush from around a sequoia tree in Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park, Calif., in July 2022. (Garrett Dickman/National Park Service)
Juneau Nordic Ski Team members Erin Wallace, front, leads Aaron Blust and Anna Iverson in a pole-less skiing drill through fresh snow on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, at the Mendenhall Campgrounds. The team has been granted interim high school “club” status to compete in the Alaska School Activities Association’s state championship for the first time in many years in February. (Nolin Ainsworth / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau’s high school Nordic ski team eligible to compete for state title for first time in many years

JDHS and TMHS approve combined team sanctioned to participate in upcoming ASAA tournament.

Juneau Nordic Ski Team members Erin Wallace, front, leads Aaron Blust and Anna Iverson in a pole-less skiing drill through fresh snow on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, at the Mendenhall Campgrounds. The team has been granted interim high school “club” status to compete in the Alaska School Activities Association’s state championship for the first time in many years in February. (Nolin Ainsworth / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau and Palmer players fight for the puck near the Crimson Bears’ goal during Saturday night’s game between Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé and Palmer High School at Treadwell Arena. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JDHS loses pair of games to Palmer in battle between top two teams in conference

Crimson Bears rebound from 5-1 defeat Friday, take Palmer to last minute of OT in 3-2 loss Saturday.

Juneau and Palmer players fight for the puck near the Crimson Bears’ goal during Saturday night’s game between Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé and Palmer High School at Treadwell Arena. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
PJ Foy swims the butterfly at the Speedo Winter Junior Championships in Westmont, Illinois. (Kevin Tuning / Forever Still Photography)

Foy places in four swimming events at Speedo Winter Junior Championships

TMHS student who won state individual title takes second in 100-yard fly at national competition.

PJ Foy swims the butterfly at the Speedo Winter Junior Championships in Westmont, Illinois. (Kevin Tuning / Forever Still Photography)
Ned Rozell holds up a king salmon caught on the Tanana River, a major tributary of the Yukon, in July 2019, when some fishing was still allowed. (Photo by Sam Bishop)

Alaska Science Forum: Yet another dramatic Arctic Report Card

In December 2006, I sat in a similar carpeted room in this city and listened to scientists talk about an Alaska-size chunk of sea ice… Continue reading

Ned Rozell holds up a king salmon caught on the Tanana River, a major tributary of the Yukon, in July 2019, when some fishing was still allowed. (Photo by Sam Bishop)