Anchorage’s Kris Thorsness had never rowed a boat before she enrolled at the University of Wisconsin in 1979. And when she expressed interest to compete for the college’s women’s team, the so-called experts scoffed. She was considered too short, too thin, too small. It didn’t matter. Thorsness never paid attention to the doubters and went… Read more »
Kodiak’s Cliff Anderson carried a big bat in 1997 with the Single-A San Bernardino Stampede, clubbing 21 home runs and a state record 40 doubles in 132 games. The 5-foot-8, 165-pound left-handed hitting third baseman batted .273 and added 79 RBIs, 77 runs and five triples. His 125 hits are tied for the most for… Read more »
The greatest track and field athlete in Alaska history, Janay DeLoach of Fairbanks is one of the most successful long jumpers on the planet with four U.S. championships, a Worlds silver medal and an Olympic bronze medal. At the 2012 London Games, she nabbed the bronze on her fifth and final attempt by the slimmest… Read more »
Alaska’s first Olympic runner, Don Clary of Anchorage represented Team USA many times during his career before stepping onto track and field’s biggest stage in 1984. As a high school senior in 1975, he was part of the U.S. junior team that won the title at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Morocco. Clary… Read more »
Palmer’s Jessica Moore was a winner at every level of her basketball career and in 2009 almost became the first Alaskan to win championships at the high school, college and professional level. The Indiana Fever advanced to the WNBA Finals against the Phoenix Mercury, losing 93-86 in a decisive Game 5 that was tied 80-80… Read more »
A combination of power and speed, Anchorage’s Jamar Hill was a dynamic dual threat on the baseball field who rose through the pro ranks to become one of just 12 Alaskans to reach the Double-A level. A two-time MLB draft pick by the New York Mets, Hill had a 10-year professional career during which he… Read more »
Arguably the greatest college pitcher to come out of Alaska, Sitka’s Matt Way carved up Pac-10 hitters when he toed the rubber for Washington State University from 2006 to 2009. A two-time All-Pac-10 performer, the sublime southpaw threw three complete games and is the Alaskans to rack up more than 100 strikeouts in a D1… 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 »
Anchorage’s Anton Maxwell was simply sensational as a sophomore with the Oregon State University baseball team. The left-handed pitcher posted an 11-1 record in 17 appearances in 2005 as the No. 3 starter for the Pac-12 power that advanced to the College World Series. Maxwell, of East High fame, struck out 69 batters in 95.1… Read more »
Eagle River’s Kelly Cobb took the Duke University women’s soccer team by storm in 2011. The 5-foot-10 forward tied a school record with six game-winning goals and set three Duke freshman records in shots (91), goals (11) and points (31). In the national semifinals, Cobb assisted on the game-winning goal in the 51st minute to… Read more »
