Sports

The Special Olympics Alaska Central Peninsula swim team stands together for a photo at the 2023 Special Olympics Alaska Summer Games at Dimond High School in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo provided by Special Olympics Alaska Central Peninsula)
The Special Olympics Alaska Central Peninsula swim team stands together for a photo at the 2023 Special Olympics Alaska Summer Games at Dimond High School in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo provided by Special Olympics Alaska Central Peninsula)

Swimming to success

Special Olympics swim team brings home more than 30 medals, celebrates community

The Special Olympics Alaska Central Peninsula swim team stands together for a photo at the 2023 Special Olympics Alaska Summer Games at Dimond High School in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo provided by Special Olympics Alaska Central Peninsula)
The Special Olympics Alaska Central Peninsula swim team stands together for a photo at the 2023 Special Olympics Alaska Summer Games at Dimond High School in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo provided by Special Olympics Alaska Central Peninsula)
A sign opposing the participation of trans girls in girls sports is propped against a fire hydrant outside of the George A. Navarre Admin Building on Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Alaska Board of Education met in the building to discuss a resolution that would ban trans girls from girls high school sports. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula residents protest trans girls in sports at state school board meeting

The Alaska Board of Education last week met at the George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration Building in Soldotna

A sign opposing the participation of trans girls in girls sports is propped against a fire hydrant outside of the George A. Navarre Admin Building on Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Alaska Board of Education met in the building to discuss a resolution that would ban trans girls from girls high school sports. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Lila Dockins, MaKenna DesOrmeaux, and Jaeger Romatz run together during Soldotna Little League Challenger Program game at the Little League Fields in Soldotna, Alaska on Saturday, May 20, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘We should not be telling kids that they can’t’

Little League Challenger program gives ‘opportunity’ to kids with physical and developmental challenges

Lila Dockins, MaKenna DesOrmeaux, and Jaeger Romatz run together during Soldotna Little League Challenger Program game at the Little League Fields in Soldotna, Alaska on Saturday, May 20, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel, left, presents a proclamation recognizing members of the Kenai Central High School cheer team for wining their thrid straight Division II March Madness state competition during a Kenai City Council meeting on Wednesday, April 19 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. From left: Maya Montague, Genesis Trevino, Sarah Baisden, Taya Swick, Sylvia McGraw, Malena Grieme, Mackenzie Harden, Kalani Holmes, Brooklynn Reed, Brianna Force. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Cheer team gets kudos from Kenai council

KCHS team clinched the top title for Division II Alaska cheer championship for the third year in a row

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel, left, presents a proclamation recognizing members of the Kenai Central High School cheer team for wining their thrid straight Division II March Madness state competition during a Kenai City Council meeting on Wednesday, April 19 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. From left: Maya Montague, Genesis Trevino, Sarah Baisden, Taya Swick, Sylvia McGraw, Malena Grieme, Mackenzie Harden, Kalani Holmes, Brooklynn Reed, Brianna Force. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Cameron Ivanoff, competing for the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, performs the 2-Foot High Kick during the Salamatof Tribe Traditional Native Games Invitational at Kenai Middle School in Kenai, Alaska, on Sunday, April 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Salamatof hosts 2nd annual Traditional Native Games

The event stretched from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, with 11 events

Cameron Ivanoff, competing for the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, performs the 2-Foot High Kick during the Salamatof Tribe Traditional Native Games Invitational at Kenai Middle School in Kenai, Alaska, on Sunday, April 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai River Brown Bears forward Parker Lockwood attacks against the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Living the dream

Kenais Lockwood rode passion from Brown Bears clinic at 7 all the way to a spot on team

Kenai River Brown Bears forward Parker Lockwood attacks against the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Team #2 — Bradley Kishbaugh, of Soldotna, and Ryan Sottosanti, of Wasilla — ride their snowmachine during the 2023 Iron Dog. (Photo provided by Bradley Kishbaugh)

Local racers complete Iron Dog

Three teams featuring Kenai Peninsula athletes crossed the finish line this year, and a fourth participated in the race

Team #2 — Bradley Kishbaugh, of Soldotna, and Ryan Sottosanti, of Wasilla — ride their snowmachine during the 2023 Iron Dog. (Photo provided by Bradley Kishbaugh)
People hold flags of the participating teams of the 2023 Arctic Winter Games in this 2023 photo. (Photo provided by Matfey Reutov)
People hold flags of the participating teams of the 2023 Arctic Winter Games in this 2023 photo. (Photo provided by Matfey Reutov)
Dakota Butler hangs from a wooden pole by only his wrist as he performs the wrist carry during the Kahtnuht’ana Hey Chi’ula NYO Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at Kenai Middle School in Kenai, Alaska. Butler held on for more than 200 feet, claiming the gold medal in the event. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Camaraderie wins at youth competition

More than 100 athletes from around the region gathered to participate

Dakota Butler hangs from a wooden pole by only his wrist as he performs the wrist carry during the Kahtnuht’ana Hey Chi’ula NYO Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at Kenai Middle School in Kenai, Alaska. Butler held on for more than 200 feet, claiming the gold medal in the event. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Kenai Central High School cheerleading team (back row, left to right): Kaitlyn Taylor, Sylvia McGraw, Malena Grieme, Maya Montague, Cali Holmes and Genesis Trevino; (front row, left to right): Makenzie Harden, Ella Romero and Brooklyn Reed stand for a photo at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Monday, Jan. 1, 2023, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. (Photo courtesy Brianna Force)

Hard work and good attitudes pay off

Kenai Central Cheerleading performs at Citrus Bowl in Florida

Members of the Kenai Central High School cheerleading team (back row, left to right): Kaitlyn Taylor, Sylvia McGraw, Malena Grieme, Maya Montague, Cali Holmes and Genesis Trevino; (front row, left to right): Makenzie Harden, Ella Romero and Brooklyn Reed stand for a photo at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Monday, Jan. 1, 2023, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. (Photo courtesy Brianna Force)
Jon Iannaccone waves an American flag while wearing a medal after completing the World Triathlon Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 26, 2022. (Photo courtesy Jon Iannaccone)
Jon Iannaccone waves an American flag while wearing a medal after completing the World Triathlon Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 26, 2022. (Photo courtesy Jon Iannaccone)

Preparation pays off for Kenai triathlete in World Championship

Jon Iannaccone delivers strong performance in the Middle East contest

Jon Iannaccone waves an American flag while wearing a medal after completing the World Triathlon Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 26, 2022. (Photo courtesy Jon Iannaccone)
Jon Iannaccone waves an American flag while wearing a medal after completing the World Triathlon Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 26, 2022. (Photo courtesy Jon Iannaccone)
Nikiski’s Niles Broussard throws Kenai’s Delen Byrd during a dual meet on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai topples Nikiski at dual meet

The meet also served as the Kenai team’s senior night

Nikiski’s Niles Broussard throws Kenai’s Delen Byrd during a dual meet on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Dain Douthit, Silas Thibodeau, Roman Dunham, Cody Good and Jackson Anding participate in a practice League of Legends match on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022 at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula esports teams ready for state championships

Players contend with changing games, increased pressure, rival rematches

From left, Dain Douthit, Silas Thibodeau, Roman Dunham, Cody Good and Jackson Anding participate in a practice League of Legends match on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022 at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Skiers from Kenai, Seward and Soldotna start the girls race during the Turkey Trot on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna, Alaska.

Kenai boys, SoHi girls clock top finishes at Turkey Trot ski meet

Kenai boys took the top four finishes of the night

Skiers from Kenai, Seward and Soldotna start the girls race during the Turkey Trot on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna, Alaska.
The Homer hockey team celebrates the Division II state championship Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at the Curtis Mendard Sports Complex in Wasilla, Alaska. (Photo by Tim Rockey/Frontiersman)
The Homer hockey team celebrates the Division II state championship Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at the Curtis Mendard Sports Complex in Wasilla, Alaska. (Photo by Tim Rockey/Frontiersman)
Abriella Werner leaps as she approaches the end of the diving board, Derrick Jones watches during a dive practice on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

From springboard to diving board

SoHi junior takes gymnastic experience to pool and breaks 17-year dive record

Abriella Werner leaps as she approaches the end of the diving board, Derrick Jones watches during a dive practice on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kevin Bell Arena ice rink nears completion on Sept. 29, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. The Homer Hockey Association announced Wednesday that the arena was closed indefinitely due to insufficient insurance coverage. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)

Homer hockey arena closed due to insufficient insurance

The board of directors discovered that their liability insurance policy is inactive

The Kevin Bell Arena ice rink nears completion on Sept. 29, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. The Homer Hockey Association announced Wednesday that the arena was closed indefinitely due to insufficient insurance coverage. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)
Members of Kenai Central High School Esports gather around coach Shane Lopez before their League of Legends match Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of Kenai Central High School Esports gather around coach Shane Lopez before their League of Legends match Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Lance Mackey sits with his lead dogs Larry, right, and Maple after crossing the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on March 18, 2009, in Nome, Alaska, to win his third Iditarod in a row. Mackey, a four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race winner and one of mushing’s most colorful and accomplished champions who also suffered from health and drug issues, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, his father and kennel announced on Facebook. He was 52. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)

Cancer claims 4-time Iditarod champion Lance Mackey

Officials with the world’s most famous sled dog race said Iditarod Nation was in mourning

Lance Mackey sits with his lead dogs Larry, right, and Maple after crossing the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on March 18, 2009, in Nome, Alaska, to win his third Iditarod in a row. Mackey, a four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race winner and one of mushing’s most colorful and accomplished champions who also suffered from health and drug issues, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, his father and kennel announced on Facebook. He was 52. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)
Chugiak High School’s Cameron Peterson (right) leads the girls varsity pack at the 2022 Ted McKenney XC Running Invitational at Tsalteshi Trails at Skyview Middle School on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

McKenney Invite welcomes over 25 schools

Kenai’s Boonstra, Homer’s McDonough lead area runners

Chugiak High School’s Cameron Peterson (right) leads the girls varsity pack at the 2022 Ted McKenney XC Running Invitational at Tsalteshi Trails at Skyview Middle School on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)