Sports

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)

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)

Pure Sole: Denali has always answered

Call it what you will, Denali or Mount McKinley, it still rises majestically toward the heavens. I have been among the hundreds of thousands of… Continue reading

 

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)

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. Saying it at 43-year old means not… Continue reading

 

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

Pure Sole: A mile a day

Sigh. January. The hangover of the holidays. The pumpkin, turkey and presents have passed, and you know you should have had one serving less of… Continue reading

Women from Juneau Women Running group pose on a Jan. 1 run to mark the start of January Streak month. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The author during his morning constitutional on Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo provided by Klas Stolpe)

Pure Sole: Resolution or resolute

Ahem, a report from my daily morning constitutional, Jan. 1, 2025. There is a lot of weight in a resolution. If publicly announced, you have… Continue reading

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

Juneau’s 2024 sports in review

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

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

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 at Lena Beach, marking the shortest day… Continue reading

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

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

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)
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)

Pure Sole: Sweater Up!

Dear readers, I am at a loss and need some help. Once again it is that wonderful time of year where we get to express… Continue reading

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

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.

John Kern is shown after finishing the Berlin Marathon on Sept. 25, 2022. (Photo courtesy John Kern)
The author is moving down the Perseverance Trail this Thanksgiving. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Pure Sole: Thankful

What am I thankful for? Selfishly thankful? Or salt-of-the-earth thankful, you know, not thinking about myself but those who really make me who I am?… Continue reading

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

Alaska Sports Hall of Fame selections end in November

Last chance to vote for your favorite Alaska athlete or moment

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

Pure Sole: ‘Bread and Butter’

So, evidently, I now have a nickname in my hometown of Petersburg. “Bread and Butter.” I will let you stew on that while I finish… Continue reading

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

Pure Sole: Don’t Open The Door

A cowboy, a pirate and the pope walk into a bar… Nope, no joke here. Just reminding you of the horror approaching Thursday night. Remember… Continue reading

Be safe, stay together, be respectful, share your treats but not your tricks, have fun, and get outside on Halloween. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Harold Axel Stolpe and Patricia Anne Cox Stolpe on their wedding day in 1959.

Pure Sole: Powerless and powerful

So all my columns will not be rainbows and unicorns. This one, for instance, involves a recent incident and me trying to understand the different… Continue reading

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

Pure Sole: Famous in Whitehorse

So, I’m famous in Whitehorse. I know, I’m as shocked as you are. You would think I would know about this, not just hear it… Continue reading

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)
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)

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 crossed that particular “glory days” event. It… Continue reading

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)
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)

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

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)
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)

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

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)
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)

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.

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)