Salamatof hosts 2nd annual Traditional Native Games

Well over 100 athletes gathered for three days of competition at Kenai Middle School this weekend for the 2nd Annual Salamatof Tribe Traditional Native Games Invitational.

The event stretched from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, with 11 events split between both boys and girls and junior and senior divisions.

During an opening ceremony Friday, Michael Bernard, education coordinator for Salamatof Tribe, said the event started last year as the Native Youth Olympics returned from COVID-19 protocols. In that first competition, around 50 athletes hit the gym. This year, he said, around 135 participated.

Athletes came from local groups like Salamatof and the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, from Sterling and Ninilchik, Homer and as far away as Chickaloon, Service High School and Port Graham.

This weekend’s event also comes at the very end of the season, as teams will gather for the statewide event in Anchorage next week, Bernard said Sunday.

“It’s one more opportunity for us all to get together in a smaller venue,” he said. “You look around and the bleachers are almost full.”

Bernard said that several teams and organizations beyond Salamatof Tribe had pitched in to make the event a success. Volunteers and officials from Kenaitze had filled out the roster of event staff, other teams including the Homer Halibuts brought gear, Global Credit Union provided water and Select Physical Therapy was on hand to take care of injuries.

“That sense of community is something that’s embedded in our culture; it’s traditional. We take care of each other. We help each other out,” he said.

That’s something that is promoted by the coaches, but Bernard said that it comes the most from the athletes, who learn from one another — the older kids passing it on to the younger ones.

That trait could be seen around the gym floor during any of the events. During the 2-foot high kick, when one athlete failed an attempt to hit the ball, their peers — ostensibly their competition — would be quick to offer tips.

During that event, Homer athlete Elijah Gordon could be seen giving tips to the other competitors, and leaping up for an embrace when they were eliminated.

As Bernard spoke to the Clarion, the whole crowd erupted in a rhythmic clap as Service High School’s Alexaviar Covey, who placed first in the event, made his final attempt to kick a ball hanging well above his head. They quickened their pace as he made his approach, then collectively released a breath when he fell short.

“Where else do you hear that?” Bernard asked.

Each invitational competition is a chance to bring the community together, Bernard said, and that will ring true for the state competition next week.

“We’re seeing kids from all over the state, that we haven’t seen in probably a year,” he said. “We get to talk with them, visit with them and see how things are going with them and play some fun games at the same time.”

The traditional Native games are just that, games, Bernard said. The athletes don’t need to be overserious; they just need to focus on bettering themselves. The qualities and traditions that they learn are something that they can keep alive and carry with them into adulthood.

Bernard said that anyone interested in the games can come see what they’re about — they’re open to the entire community. Several youth teams operate locally.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

Salamatof Tribe Traditional Native Games Invitational Results

Girls

1-Foot High Kick

Junior — 1. Maya Sabila-Boger, Chickaloon 68”, 0 misses; 2. Aliyah Adams, Ch’anik’na 68” 1 miss; 3. Emmajean Kendrick, Qutekcek Native Tribe 62”; 4. Zoey VanSaun, Ninilchik NYO 52” 1 miss; 5. Natali Barfuss, Nin 52” 3 misses

Senior – 1. Charity Gordon, Homer Halibuts 82” 1 miss; 2. Leah Evans, Hom 82” 2 misses; 3. KimberLee Butler, Salamatof Tribe 78” 0 misses; 3. Abby Semaken, Sal 78” 0 misses; 5. Emilee Wilson, Sal 78” 2 misses

1-Hand Reach

1. Ashlen Malchoff, Hom 51”; 2. Taylor Rickard, Nin 46”

2-Foot High Kick

Junior — 1. Aliyah Adams, Ch’ 54”; 2. Maya Sabila-Boger, Chi 52”; 3. Emmajean Kendrick, Qut 50”; 4. Natali Barfuss, Nin 48”; 5. Myka Battiest, Kenaitze 36”

Senior – 1. Charity Gordon, Hom 64”; 2. Molly Evans, Hom 62”; 3. Leila Kell, Chi 60”; 4. Leah Evans, Hom 58”; 5. Rowan Matney, Hom 57” 0 misses

Alaskan High Kick

Junior — 1. Aliyah Adams, Ch’ 56”; 2. Maya Sabila-Boger, Chi 52”; 3. Natali Barfuss, Nin 46”; 4. Emmajean Kendrick, Qut 44”; 5. Fayth Bishop, Ch’ 40” 0 misses

Senior — 1. Ashlyn, Port Graham 66” 1 miss; 2. Leila Kell, Chi 66” 2 misses; 3. Abby Semaken, Sal 64”; 4. Molly Evans, Hom 62”; 5. Charity Gordon, Hom 60”; 5. KimberLee Butler, Sal 60”

Arm Pull

1. Dee Wilmeth, Nin; 2. Keileigh Gregory, Ken; 3. Myka Battiest, Ken; 4. Natali Barfuss, Nin; 5. Aliyah Adams, Ch’

Eskimo Stick Pull

Junior – 1. Dee Wilmeth, Nin; 2. Alexis Lackey, Ch’; 3. Kaylee Scott, Sal; 4. Arianna Jicha, Ch’; 5. Keileigh Gregory, Ken

Senior — 1. Leila Kell, Chi; 2. Rowan Matney, Hom; 3. Peighton Curren, Ken; 4. Laura Butler, Sal; 5. Abby Semaken, Sal

Indian Stick Pull

Junior — 1. Dee Wilmeth, Nin; 2. Zoey VanSaun, Nin; 3. Aliyah Adams, Ch’; 4. Leila Lee, Ch’; 5. Emmajean Kendrick, Qut

Senior — 1. Leah Evans, Hom; 2. Katie Hallam, Hom; 3. Eva Johnson, Qut; 4. Ryan Alcorta, Hom; 5. Leila Kell, Chi

Open — 1. Kayla Olhausen, Anchorage; 2. Ginny Evans, Hom; 3. Nicole Johnston, Anc; 4. Leah Walker, Chi; 5. Maio Nishkian, Chi

Kneel Jump

Junior — 1. Maya Sabila-Boger, Chi 33”; 2. Emmajean Kendrick, Qut 22 ½”; 3. Aliyah Adams, Ch’ 17 ¾”; 4. Fayth Bishop, Ch’ 17 ½”; 5. Natali Barfuss, Nin 16 ½”

Senior — 1. Leila Kell, Chi 40”; 2. Leah Evans, Hom 36 ½”; 3. Emilee Wilson, Sal 35 ½”; 4. Abby Semaken, Sal 33”; 5. Ashlen Malchoff, Hom 30 ¼”

Scissor Broad Jump

Junior — 1. Maya Sabila-Boger, Chi 23’ 9 ½”; 2. Aliyah Adams, Ch’ 21’ 2 ¾”; 3. Emmajean Kendrick, Qut 19’ 0”; 4. Natali Barfuss, Nin 18’ 10 ¼”; 5. Zoey VanSaun, Nin 18’ 3 ¼”

Senior — 1. Abby Semaken, Sal 25’ 2 ¾”; 2. Molly Evans, Hom 24’ 11 ¾”; 3. Charity Gordon, Hom 24’ 11”; 4. Emilee Wilson, Sal 24’ 8”; 5. Leah Evans, Hom 24’ 1 ½”

Seal Hop

Junior — 1. Maya Sabila-Boger, Chi 60’ 2 ¾”; 2. Kimber Thompson, Ch’ 32’ 2 ½”; 3. Natali Barfuss, Nin 30’ 9”; 4. Emmajean Kendrick, Qut 30’ 6 ¾”; 5. Cameron Ivanoff, Ken 30’ 4”

Senior — 1. Emilee Wilson, Sal 120’ 6 ¼”; 2. Leila Kell, Chi 97’ 4 ¾”; 3. Rowan Matney, Hom 78’ 2 ¼”; 4. KimberLee Butler, Sal 74’ 7 ¼”; 5. Abby Semaken, Sal 57’ 5”

Wrist Carry

Junior — 1. Leila Lee, Ch’ 5.22 seconds; 2. Cameron Ivanoff, Ken 4.5; 3. Makayla Ch’ 4.41; 4. Wren Cramer, Ch’ 3.9; 5. Alizah Chulin, Chi 3.0

Senior — 1. Laura Butler, Sal 42’ 8 ½”; 2. Leila Kell, Chi 37’ 2”; 3. Nakita Epps, Qut 24’ 7”; 4. Sage Lakey, Hom 10’ 9”; 5. Kimberlee Butler, Sal 6’

Boys

1-Foot High Kick

Junior — 1. Jojo Rodgers, Chi 74”; 2. Staxx Vankirk, Sal 70” 2 misses; 3. Hayden Edwards, Ch’ 64” 6 misses; 4. Rex Cramer, Ch’ 64” 7 misses; 5. Javian Jackson, Nin 62” 1 miss 1st @ 62”

Senior — 1. Alexaviar Covey, Service High School 102”; 2. Elijah Gordon, Hom 100”; 3. Josiah Gordon, Hom 98”; 4. William Wilson, Sal 96”; 5. Cooper Bernard, Sal 92”

1-Hand Reach

1. Alexaviar Covey, Ser 62”; 2. Elijah Gordon, Hom 58”; 3. Shane Moonin, Port Graham Arllut 50”; 4. Ch’ 48”

2-Foot High Kick

Junior – 1. Jojo Rodgers, Chi 62”; 2. Staxx Vankirk, Sal 52”; 3. Bryce Butler, Sal 46”; 4. Benjamin Wilde, Turnagain 44”; 5. Ryder Chase, Hom 42”

Senior – 1. Alexaviar Covey, Ser 90”; 2. Elijah Gordon, Hom 86”; 3. Dez Hess, Nin 76”; 4. Shane Moonin, Por 70”; 5. Dallas Peterson, Sal 66” 0 misses

Alaskan High Kick

Junior — 1. Jojo Rodgers, Chi 72”; 2. Staxx Vankirk, Sal 62”; 3. Ryder Chase, Hom 56”; 4. Rex Cramer, Ch’ 50” 2 misses; 5. Bryce Butler, Sal 50” 4 misses

Senior — 1. Elijah Gordon, Hom 80”; 2. Daneil Rodgers, Chi 78”; 3. David Fairbanks, Ch’ 75”; 4. Dez Hess, Nin 74”; 5. William Wilson, Sal 72”

Arm Pull

1. Staxx Vankirk, Sal; 2. Brayden Gregory, Ken; 3. Benjamin Wilde, Tur; 4. Jojo Rodgers, Chi; 5. Vincent La Riceia, Ch’

Eskimo Stick Pull

Junior – 1. Benjamin Wilde, Tur; 2. Brayden Gregory, Ken; 3. Staxx Vankirk, Sal; 4. Vincent La Riceia, Ch’; 5. Jojo Rodgers, Chi

Senior – 1. William Wilson, Sal; 2. Joseph Winrod, Hom; 3. Axel Coxwell, Ken; 4. Josiah Gordon, Hom; 5. Aaron Hobbs, Chi

Indian Stick Pull

Junior — 1. Staxx Vankirk, Sal; 2. Draven Swearingen, Sal; 3. Gavin Victoroff, Ken; 4. Jojo Rodgers, Chi; 5. Jamie Mosquito, Por

Senior — 1. Tristyn Larrick, Hom; 2. Jensen Ekkelman, Chi; 3. Chase Johnson, Qut; 4. Elijah Gordon, Hom; 5. Joseph Winrod, Hom

Open — 1. Caleb Evans, Hom; 2. Duc Ngo, Chi; 3. Rick Dunaway, Nin; 4. Mark Gordon, Hom; 5. Johnny Wilson, Sal

Kneel Jump

Junior — 1. Jojo Rodgers, Chi 38”; 2. Hunter Dockweiler, Ch’ 26 ¾”; 3. Benjamin Wilde, Tur 25 ¾”; 4. Jakxton Dalebout, Ken 25 ¾”; 5. Staxx Vankirk, Sal 24”

Senior — 1. Dez Hess, Nin 48 ¾”; 2. Elijah Gordon, Hom 40’; 3. William Wilson, Sal 39 ¼”; 4. Tristyn Larrick, Hom 39”; 5. Aaron Hobbs, Chi 32”

Scissor Broad Jump

Junior — 1. Staxx Vankirk, Sal 22’ 9”; 2. Jojo Rodgers, Chi 22’ 3 ¾”; 3. Hayden Edwards, Ch’ 21’ 6 ¼”; 4. Benjamin Wilde, Tur 20’ 11 ½”; 5. Rex Cramer, Ch’ 19’ 3 ¾”

Senior — 1. Elijah Gordon, Him 32’ 8 ½”; 2. David Fairbanks, Ch’ 30’ 6 ¼”; 3. Josiah Gordon, Hom 28’ 7 ¾”; 4. Joseph Winrod, Hom 27’ 8 ¾,” 27’ 5 ½”; 5. Cooper Bernard, Sal 27’ 8 ¾,” 26’ 11”

Seal Hop

Junior — 1. Jojo Rodgers, Chi 85’; 2. Zane Montgomery, Ch’ 57’ 5 ½”; 3. Kaleb Webb, Nin 57’; 4. Mitch Sego, Ch’ 56’ 11 ¼”; 5. Javian Jackson, Nin 55’ 8”

Senior — 1. David Fairbanks, Ch’ 57’ 3 ½”; 2. Shane Moonin, Por 52’ 3 ¾”; 3. Dez Hess, Nin; 4. William Wilson, Sal; 5. Caleb McMullen, Por 44’ 1 ½”

Wrist Carry

Junior — 1. Kaleb Webb, Nin 42 seconds; 2. Javian Jackson, Nin 29.82; 3. Jojo Rodgers, Chi 19.30; 4. Colter Lapsing, Ch’ 14.3; 5. Jakxton Dalebout, Ken 10.75

Senior — 1. Dallas Peterson, Sal 130’ 3”; 2. Joseph Winrod, Hom 128’ 4”; 3. Josiah Gordon, Hom 113’ 3 ½”; 4. Ryan Musgrove, Nin 51’ 0”; Patrick Winrod, 34’ 4”