With 2020 in our rearview, let’s look back on the top 20 Alaska athletes from this year. Here is the list for our 20 for 2020. They represent the best of the best from The Last Frontier. History makers, record setters, world champions and more. From the ski trails to the track and the hardwood… Read more »
The running career of Kodiak’s Trevor Dunbar is the stuff of legends. His success ranges from seven-time prep champion to junior national champion to eight-time NCAA All-American to the professional ranks. Dunbar has added a new chapter: college coach. The 29-year-old was just hired by the University of California Berkeley as a new assistant coach… Read more »
Anchorage’s Kaarin Knudson was a remarkable runner for the University of Oregon from 1994 to 1999 as she earned eight letters and competed eight times at the NCAA Championships. A two-time All-American in track and field, she was a seven-time NCAA qualifier for the Ducks and was a member of Oregon’s 1995 Pac-10 championship cross… Read more »
Chugiak High School’s Breanna Day is a four-year varsity athlete, focusing on distance running, where she excelled in the 3200 and 1600. She received a full ride offer from Murray State University, a D1 school in Murray, Kentucky and will run on their cross country and track teams. Running highlights during her running career with… Read more »
Arne Ellefson-Carnes of Juneau earned all-region honors for the St. Olaf College men’s cross-country team in his first year with the team. The freshman finished 22nd out of 199 finishers at the NCAA D3 Central Region Championships in Waverly, Iowa. The top 35 runners earned all-region recognition. Ellefson-Carnes, of Juneau-Douglas High fame, clocked a time… Read more »
Grand Canyon University senior Elizabeth Balsan of Anchorage turned in the fastest 6-K time of her career to continue her breakout season. She finished in 20:33.1 to place eighth out of 204 women at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational in Sunnyvale, California. Balsan, of ACS fame, this year has posted three of her six career… Read more »
Principia College cross-country runner Afton Leslie of Fairbanks posted her fastest 6-K time at the Illinois College XC Invitational. The junior crossed in 25:24.5 to beat her previous PR by one second. Leslie, of Monroe Catholic High fame, was her team’s No. 2 runner and placed 13th out of 57 finishers. Principia was fourth in… Read more »
Williams College senior Maddy Boutet of Anchorage turned in an impressive individual result to help the Ephs win the Keene State College XC Invitational in New Hampshire. She finished fourth out of 186 finishers in the crowded 5-K field, crossing in 18:19.2, just one second out of third place. Boutet, of West High fame, was… Read more »
Kenai’s Allie Ostrander of Boise State University ran away with her second NCAA West Regional championship after claiming the women’s title by 13 seconds in Sacramento, California. It was the All-American’s seventh career victory and third All-Region selection in three years of cross country. Her dominant victory helped the Boise State women’s team earn an… Read more »
Two years after getting injured at the Western Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships, Anchorage’s Elizabeth Balsan returned and captured glory. The Grand Canyon University junior runner took 11th place out of 70 women in the 6K race in Seattle, Washington. That result earned the Alaskan All-WAC second team recognition for the first time. Balsan, of… Read more »
