Sports

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Homer boys basketball tops Nikiski

Homer will host the annual Winter Carnival basketball tournament this weekend, starting Thursday.

 

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Kenai sweeps Tsalteshi ski meet

The Kenai Central High boys and girls teams both placed first last Friday.

 

Flanked by JDHS freshmen Manu Adams, left, and Paxton Willoughby, right, Homer junior Berend Pearson looks for a pass from a teammate. The Crimson Bears and the Mariners faced off at the Treadwell Arena in Juneau following the Bears’ senior night ceremony on Friday, Jan. 23.<ins>, 2026</ins>

Juneau hockey celebrates senior night with sweeping victory over Homer

The Crimson Bears saw an 8-2 victory over the Mariners Friday night.

 

Ninilchik's Austin White puts down a two-handed dunk against the Aniak Halfbreeds Wednesday at the Class 1A state basketball tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Sports briefs: SoHi boys top Kenai, Eagle River in shootout

The Soldotna varsity boys came out 2-1 in the Al Howard Shootout last weekend.

Ninilchik's Austin White puts down a two-handed dunk against the Aniak Halfbreeds Wednesday at the Class 1A state basketball tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
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Homer boys, Soldotna girls place 1st in ski invitational

Soldotna’s Tania Boonstra took first place for the girls’ division, leading her team to victory at the meet. The Homer girls’ varsity team placed second overall.

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Senior Mason Bock exclaims after winning the state title during the ASAA Division I state championships in Anchorage, Alaska on Dec. 20, 2025. Bock beat No. 2 seed Isaiah Schultz of Colony High School in the final, securing his victory in the 135-pound title as the No. 4 seed. Bock said standing on the podium was the best moment of his life, telling the Clarion that since he had lost to Schultz once earlier in the season, he was “focused and determined to have a different outcome” during the final match. Photo courtesy of Andie Bock/Andie’s Alaskan Adventures Photography

SoHi girls 3-peat at state wrestling championships

The boys team placed second and saw five wrestlers win state titles in the Division I tournament.

Senior Mason Bock exclaims after winning the state title during the ASAA Division I state championships in Anchorage, Alaska on Dec. 20, 2025. Bock beat No. 2 seed Isaiah Schultz of Colony High School in the final, securing his victory in the 135-pound title as the No. 4 seed. Bock said standing on the podium was the best moment of his life, telling the Clarion that since he had lost to Schultz once earlier in the season, he was “focused and determined to have a different outcome” during the final match. Photo courtesy of Andie Bock/Andie’s Alaskan Adventures Photography
Seward’s Atlin Ryan wrestles against a Mountain City Christian Academy athlete during the regional Kachemak Conference Wrestling Championships on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Homer girls wrestling team named regional champions

Kenai boys, girls both placed third overall in the Kachemak Conference Wrestling Championships on Saturday.

Seward’s Atlin Ryan wrestles against a Mountain City Christian Academy athlete during the regional Kachemak Conference Wrestling Championships on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Homer and Soldotna hockey players battle for the puck during the Carlin Cup home varsity game on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at the Kevin Bell Arena in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

SoHi hockey claims 3rd Carlin Cup victory

The Soldotna varsity hockey team defeated Homer 9-1 Saturday at Kevin Bell Arena.

Homer and Soldotna hockey players battle for the puck during the Carlin Cup home varsity game on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at the Kevin Bell Arena in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
The Soldotna High School wrestling team is pictured after the Northern Lights regional conference in Wasilla, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. SoHi sent 33 boys and 11 girls to regionals. 22 boys and nine girls will compete in the state tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center this weekend. Photo courtesy of Soldotna High School Athletics

SoHi wrestling wins regional title; 31 wrestlers advance to state

22 boys and nine girls will compete in the state tournament this weekend.

The Soldotna High School wrestling team is pictured after the Northern Lights regional conference in Wasilla, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. SoHi sent 33 boys and 11 girls to regionals. 22 boys and nine girls will compete in the state tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center this weekend. Photo courtesy of Soldotna High School Athletics
Sophie Tapley is photographed with her parents, Josh and Whitney Tapley, during Sophie’s signing ceremony at Kenai Central High School on Nov. 26, 2025. Tapley committed to playing volleyball at the University of Alaska Anchorage during the 2026-2027 school year. Photo courtesy of Jesse Settlemyer, Kenai Central Athletics

Kenai Central’s Sophie Tapley signs with UAA volleyball

Tapley will trade her Kardinals jersey for a Seawolf one during the 2026-2027 academic year.

Sophie Tapley is photographed with her parents, Josh and Whitney Tapley, during Sophie’s signing ceremony at Kenai Central High School on Nov. 26, 2025. Tapley committed to playing volleyball at the University of Alaska Anchorage during the 2026-2027 school year. Photo courtesy of Jesse Settlemyer, Kenai Central Athletics
Photo courtesy Pete Dickinson The SoHi junior varsity and varsity wrestling teams compete in the Battle for the Bird at Soldotna High School on Wednesday, Nov. 26. The Kenai Peninsula Athletics Sapphire dance team performed the halftime show.

SoHi, Nikiski wrestling teams compete for Thanksgiving dinner

The Stars and Bulldogs faced off during the Battle for the Bird duals last Wednesday.

Photo courtesy Pete Dickinson The SoHi junior varsity and varsity wrestling teams compete in the Battle for the Bird at Soldotna High School on Wednesday, Nov. 26. The Kenai Peninsula Athletics Sapphire dance team performed the halftime show.
Runners of all ages gather for a photo in the Homer High School Commons after the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. Due to icy outdoor conditions, the official run was moved to the high school halls. Photo courtesy Matthew Smith

55 turn out for Homer Turkey Trot

Each Thanksgiving morning, the Kachemak Bay Running Club and the City of Homer Community Recreation Department host a combined fun run and food drive to… Continue reading

Runners of all ages gather for a photo in the Homer High School Commons after the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. Due to icy outdoor conditions, the official run was moved to the high school halls. Photo courtesy Matthew Smith
The Kenai Central High School varsity volleyball team is named the 2025 3A Volleyball State Championship Tournament, held Nov. 13-15, 2025, at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska. The Kardinals defeated the Nikiski Bulldogs 3-2 in a "rematch" championship game on Saturday, Nov. 15, securing their third state title in the last four years. Photo courtesy of the Kenai Volleyball Booster Club

Kenai Central takes home 3rd volleyball state title

The Kards defeated Nikiski in a rematch championship game on Saturday during the state tournament in Anchorage.

The Kenai Central High School varsity volleyball team is named the 2025 3A Volleyball State Championship Tournament, held Nov. 13-15, 2025, at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska. The Kardinals defeated the Nikiski Bulldogs 3-2 in a "rematch" championship game on Saturday, Nov. 15, securing their third state title in the last four years. Photo courtesy of the Kenai Volleyball Booster Club
The varsity wrestling team is pictured after the Robin Hervey individual tournament in Kodiak on Nov. 22, 2025. Photo courtesy of Pete Dickinson

Sports briefs: Soldotna hockey, wrestling teams secure wins at weekend tournaments

SoHi hockey won the End of the Road tournament in Homer and the wrestling team gained 20 individual wins.

The varsity wrestling team is pictured after the Robin Hervey individual tournament in Kodiak on Nov. 22, 2025. Photo courtesy of Pete Dickinson
Soldotna High School wrestlers won six individual championships during the Lancer Smith Memorial wrestling tournament in Wasilla Nov. 14-15. Photo courtesy of SoHi Stars Wrestling on Facebook

SoHi wrestling sweeps Lancer Smith tourney, eyes state title

SoHi girls and boys took first and second place as teams, respectively.

Soldotna High School wrestlers won six individual championships during the Lancer Smith Memorial wrestling tournament in Wasilla Nov. 14-15. Photo courtesy of SoHi Stars Wrestling on Facebook
Soldotna’s Gracelyn Altobelli attacks against Nikiski’s Addison Perkins on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Sports briefs: Soldotna volleyball claims third Northern Lights Region III title

The SoHi Stars will compete at the state tournament this weekend.

Soldotna’s Gracelyn Altobelli attacks against Nikiski’s Addison Perkins on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The Homer Mariners varsity football team celebrates their victory after the Division III state championships game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Wasilla, Alaska. Photo provided by Justin Zank

Homer, Kenai football receive Division III All-State awards

Players on the Homer High School and Kenai Central High School varsity football teams were selected for Division III football awards last week. The Mariners… Continue reading

The Homer Mariners varsity football team celebrates their victory after the Division III state championships game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Wasilla, Alaska. Photo provided by Justin Zank
The Homer Mariners varsity football team celebrates their victory after the Division III state championships game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Wasilla, Alaska. Photo provided by Justin Zank

Homer football brings home back-to-back state titles

The Mariners defeated Barrow 20-0 on Saturday, winning the state championships for the second year in a row.

The Homer Mariners varsity football team celebrates their victory after the Division III state championships game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Wasilla, Alaska. Photo provided by Justin Zank
Homer's Nik Macauly runs past Kenai Central's Carson Cramer on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Ed Hollier Field at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Homer football tops Kenai

The Homer football team defeated Kenai Central 44-6 on Saturday in Mid Alaska Conference action at Ed Hollier Field at Kenai Central High School. The… Continue reading

Homer's Nik Macauly runs past Kenai Central's Carson Cramer on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Ed Hollier Field at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
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Kenai volleyball ties for 3rd in Gold Bracket at West Spiketacular

The Kenai Central volleyball team tied for third in the Gold Bracket to lead the Kenai Peninsula at the 21-team West Spiketacular on Friday and… Continue reading

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