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Thunder Mountain Middle School eighth grader Carter Day of the Blue Barracuda Bombers attempts to pin classmate John Croasman of War Hawks White during the inaugural Thunder Mountain Mayhem Team Duels wrestling tournament Saturday at TMMS. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Inaugural Thunder Mountain Mayhem Tournament makes most of weather misfortune

More than 50 Falcons wrestlers compete amongst themselves after trip to Sitka tourney nixed.

A view of Denali as seen from near the end of the Denali National Park and Preserve park road. (Klas Stolpe)

Sports

Pure Sole: Denali has always answered

Call it what you will, Denali or Mount McKinley, it still rises majestically toward the heavens.

Destination angling often creates an unhealthy feeling of incompleteness and desperation. Fishing goals I knew what it was going to be, but I clicked anyway. “What are your fishing goals for 2025” was an advertisement for a lodge in an area I have longed to fish but I’m priced out, have priced myself out or however you write “it’s expensive and probably won’t happen.” (Photo by Jeff Lund)

Sports

I Went to the Woods: Angling for goals to appreciate in 2025

This is somewhat devastating because saying you might not do something at 23-years old is just youth speaking.…

Women from Juneau Women Running group pose on a Jan. 1 run to mark the start of January Streak month. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Pure Sole: A mile a day

Sigh. January.

The author during his morning constitutional on Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo provided by Klas Stolpe)

Sports

Pure Sole: Resolution or resolute

Ahem, a report from my daily morning constitutional, Jan. 1, 2025.

Clockwise from top left, Hoonah senior wrestler Krista Howland, Juneau senior football player Jayden Johnson, Juneau sophomore swimmer Amy Liddle, and the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears and Thunder Mountain Falcons cheer teams achieved some of the most notable moments in Southeast Alaska sports during 2024. (Klas Stople / Juneau Empire file photos)

Sports

Juneau’s 2024 sports in review

State tennis and cheer titles, TMHS’ final triumphs, Olympic trials swimmer among top achievements

Participants in the 2024 Solstice Sweater Shuffle pose for a photo at Lena Beach campground. (Photo courtesy race directors)

Sports

Solstice Sweater Shuffle brings style to shortest day of the year

A festive group of runners participated in the Solstice Sweater Shuffle on Saturday at the King Salmon Shelter…

Alev Kelter, a member of the bronze-winning USA’s Rugby Sevens team at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, is one of two new inductees in the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. (USA Rugby photo)

Sports

NHL star Brandon Dubinsky, Olympic rugby medalist Alev Kelter elected to Alaska Sports Hall of Fame

Hall also adding historic Alaska moments involving 1992 Winter Games, 2008 NCAA basketball title game

The author wearing one of the only Christmas sweaters he is allowed to wear, largely because it is one of the only sweaters he owns. (Photo by Klas Stolpe)

Sports

Pure Sole: Sweater Up!

Dear readers, I am at a loss and need some help.

The author is moving down the Perseverance Trail this Thanksgiving. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Pure Sole: Thankful

What am I thankful for?

John Kern is shown after finishing the Berlin Marathon on Sept. 25, 2022. (Photo courtesy John Kern)

Sports

After completing marathon goal of all 50 states, John Kern looks ‘around the world’

Juneau runner seeks to complete Six World Marathons challenge in Tokyo — and what’s beyond.

Juneau’s PJ Foy, shown winning the 2023 100-yard butterfly in 48.27 for Thunder Mountain High School during the ASAA state championships at the Dimond Park Aquatics Center on Nov. 4, 2023. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

Sports

Alaska Sports Hall of Fame selections end in November

Last chance to vote for your favorite Alaska athlete or moment

A pair of Petersburg wiener dogs. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Pure Sole: ‘Bread and Butter’

So, evidently, I now have a nickname in my hometown of Petersburg.

Be safe, stay together, be respectful, share your treats but not your tricks, have fun, and get outside on Halloween. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Pure Sole: Don’t Open The Door

A cowboy, a pirate and the pope walk into a bar…

Harold Axel Stolpe and Patricia Anne Cox Stolpe on their wedding day in 1959.

Sports

Pure Sole: Powerless and powerful

So all my columns will not be rainbows and unicorns.

Southeast Alaska cyclist Tom Thompson raises his arms after crossing the Canadian border from British Columbia into the Yukon Territories on the Haines Road from Haines, Alaska, to Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada on Sept. 4, 2024. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Pure Sole: Famous in Whitehorse

So, I’m famous in Whitehorse.

Exhausted at the finish Colony senior third-place race finisher Ella Hopkins, JDHS senior second-place finisher Ida Meyer, and Anchorage junior fourth-place finisher Mia Stiassny hug as Wasilla sophomore race winner Hailee Giacobbe approaches to congratulate them at the Division I girls 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Pure Sole: Vomit, REI and a Diet Coke with a splash of lime

Only one time in my life have I run so hard that I had to vomit when I…

West Anchorage High School’s Zephaniah Sailele (6) breaks through Juneau defenders during Saturday’s game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Huskies come up short at home in 28-27 nailbiter against West Anchorage

Juneau jumps out to 19-0 lead on Eagles’ mistakes, but end up in battle until final few seconds

Abby Dolan (wearing green) tries to take down Sofia Contreras during a Juneau Youth Wrestling Club camp Sept. 1 at the Juneau Wrestling Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Youths try to get a leg up — and opponents down — with help from pros at wrestling camps

With participation by girls rising and school teams getting bigger, every tip helps

Juneau Huskies players face off against each other during practice Tuesday in preparation for Saturday’s game against Service High School at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Juneau Huskies enter first home game of season with key players who are stronger, faster and more confident

After opening loss against East Anchorage, football team sets sights on beating Service High School.