Posts By: Van Williams

Dunlap third Alaskan to have hand in netting NBA championship

July 21, 2021

The state of Alaska has another NBA champion, and his name is Mike Dunlap of Fairbanks. The 64-year-old is an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, who beat the Phoenix Suns 105-98 in Game 6 to win the best-of-7 series. “Soooo happppy,” Dunlap texted. He is the third Alaskan to have a hand in winning… Read more »

Updike becomes second Alaskan to break 4-minute mile barrier

July 18, 2021

A few weeks after Isaac Updike suffered heartbreak on the track, the Ketchikan distance runner bounced back with one of his greatest performances. The 29-year-old became the second Alaskan to run a 4-minute mile after posting a winning time of 3:58.26 at the American Track League in Mission Viejo, California. Updike joined an exclusive club… Read more »

Bartlett sets 6 world records at U.S. powerlifting championships

July 17, 2021

Anchorage’s Jack Bartlett rewrote the record book at the Drug Tested U.S. Powerlifting Association National Championships in Palm Springs, California. The 275-pound 17-year-old set six world records for his weight class and age group in his first taste of national competition on a big stage. “To walk away with world records is pretty special,” Bartlett… Read more »

Abdul-Bassit looks to use TBT as springboard for next venture

July 15, 2021

Coming off wrist surgery, Anchorage’s Jalil Abdul-Bassit had plenty of motivation to work his way back into shape. A chance to win his share of $1 million. Abdul-Bassit has joined a University of Oregon alumni team that will compete for big money in The Basketball Tournament, a 64-team, single-eliminator with a $1 million winner-take-all grand… Read more »

Griffin records fourth 20-point, 20-rebound game in Australia

July 13, 2021

It’s clear Kelsey Griffin of Eagle River is still a force on the basketball court after another eye-popping 20/20 performance. The 34-year-old forward produced her fourth career 20-point, 20-rebound game in her ninth pro season in Australia. She poured in 27 points and 20 rebounds for the Launceston Tornadoes in an 87-86 overtime loss to… Read more »

Touray, Burgess, Naylor represent AK on NWAC All-Decade Team

July 11, 2021

Three Alaskans were named to the 2010s NWAC All-Decade Team. The two-year college league recognized Anchorage’s Bubacar Touray as a First Team selection for men’s soccer, Eagle River’s Ashlynn Burgess as a Second Team pick for women’s basketball and Anchorage’s Zak Naylor as a Third Team choice for men’s soccer. The NWAC is comprised of… Read more »

Friday Flashback: Kroon was NCAA D2 legend for blocked shots

July 9, 2021

Wasilla’s Brittney Kroon overcame a liver transplant in high school to become one of the greatest shot blockers in NCAA D2 women’s basketball history. The 6-foot-4 center played at Seattle Pacific University from 2002 to 2006 and finished her career with 419 blocks, including 13 in one game. She ranks fifth all-time in D2 in… Read more »

Clendaniel hopes to inspire more girls to play baseball in Alaska

July 8, 2021

Anchorage’s Athena Clendaniel has always been the only girl on her baseball team. From Little League to American Legion, she has carved her own path. Clendaniel wished more Alaska girls played baseball and hopes to inspire the next generation to prevent future females from being alone on the baseball field. “It’s the best game ever,”… Read more »

McCart becomes 4th local pitcher this summer to win ABL game

July 5, 2021

Anchorage’s Taylor McCart flourished in one of the biggest starts of his baseball career. The 19-year-old pitcher started for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots in the annual Fourth of July doubleheader against the Anchorage Bucs in front of several thousand fans at Mulcahy Stadium. McCart pitched four innings and picked up his first win in the… Read more »

Balog outduels NASCAR Cup Series driver to win in Wisconsin

July 3, 2021

North Pole’s Bill Balog beat all comers at the Plymouth Dirt Track on the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Wisconsin, including NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe. The ‘North Pole Nightmare’ took the lead for good on the sixth lap of the 30-lap sprint car race on the clay oval and then held off challenges from… Read more »