Alaska Sports Report

On the final day of the 65th annual World Eskimo-Indian Olympics, it took a world record to win the swing kick.

Anchorage’s Matthew Chagluak was bolstered by tight competition to claim a new world record, kicking to 5 feet 8 inches in Fairbanks, while Anastasha Wilde achieved 4-8 to tie the women’s world record.

by Arielle Himelbloom | July 19, 2026
Photos courtesy of WEIO and Alaska Native Heritage Center

World Eskimo-Indian Olympics Alaska Native Heritage Center

Chagluak, Wilde swing to world records on final day of WEIO The Alaska Sports Report provides in-depth daily coverage of Alaska athletes.

One week after placing fourth at the U.S. 6K Championships, Allie Ostrander ran it back, this time taking runner-up at the U.S. 8K Championships in Kingsport, Tenn.

The professional runner for Oiselle blasted to a time of 25 minutes, 42 seconds, averaging a sizzling pace of 5:10 per mile, while achieving her highest finish ever at a U.S. Championship.

by Arielle Himelbloom | July 19, 2026
Photo courtesy of Women's 6K Festival

USA Track & Field Alaska Skinny Raven Sports Kenai Central High School Kenai Central High School Athletics Oiselle

Ostrander roars to runner-up at U.S. 8K Championships The Alaska Sports Report provides in-depth daily coverage of Alaska athletes.

The 65th annual World Eskimo-Indian Olympics was certainly one for the record books.

Juneau’s Leif Richards proved unstoppable during his attempt in the greased pole walk in Fairbanks, setting a world record of 15 feet, 4.5 inches, bettering the long-standing mark set by Gene Andrew in 1981 by nearly two feet.

In the two-foot high kick, it was all Kipnuk’s Colton Paul, who tied his own world record from 2024 at 8-8. He also matched Brian Randazzo’s mark from 1988.

by Arielle Himelbloom | July 18, 2026
Photos courtesy of World Eskimo-Indian Olympics

World Eskimo-Indian Olympics Juneau-Douglas High School Mt. Edgecumbe High School

Richards glides past 45-year-old world record, Paul ties his own at WEIO The Alaska Sports Report provides in-depth daily coverage of Alaska athletes.

Anchorage’s Xzavier Baker is returning to his comfort zone on the hardwood.

Coming home and playing for his former college coach was too good to pass up for the 6-foot-8 forward, who signed with the Seawolves out of the transfer portal.

In joining UAA, the former Cook Inlet Conference Player of the Year will run it back with new Seawolf bench boss Cameron Turner, who coached Baker at Eastern Arizona College for two seasons (2023-25).

by Van Williams | July 17, 2026

University of Alaska Anchorage Men's Basketball Team Alaska Anchorage Seawolves UAA: University of Alaska Anchorage Dimond High School

X-Man homecoming: Former Lynx star signs with Seawolves to run it back with Turner The Alaska Sports Report provides in-depth daily coverage of Alaska athletes.

From college star to second-round draft pick to Major League Rugby champion, Jake Kinneeveauk’s life has changed a ton in the last few years.

His life has shifted gears, but his drive remains the same, steering the 24-year-old former South High football player to greatness on an elite level. Kinneeveauk helped the Chicago Hounds beat the California Legion 35-17 in the MLR title game last month in the Windy City to cap a 12-0 season.

by Van Williams | July 17, 2026

South Anchorage High School, Home of the Wolverines Major League Rugby Chicago Hounds Alaska Rugby Union Alaska Mountain Rugby Grounds Alaska Youth Rugby Club Turnagain Bore Tide RFC

Kinneeveauk wins Major League Rugby title with Chicago Hounds The Alaska Sports Report provides in-depth daily coverage of Alaska athletes.

Juneau poker pro Jacob Thibodeau bagged $215,000 at the World Series of Poker Main Event after placing 43rd in a field of 9,208, earning him our Alaska Athlete of the Week accolades.

Also receiving votes: Auke Bay Post 25 baseball player Hunter Carte, Kenai Post 20 baseball player Jacob Joanis, professional runner Allie Ostrander of Soldotna, WNBA player Alissa Pili of Anchorage, and East Post 34 baseball player Wally Sherwood.

PokerNews Juneau-Douglas High School

Juneau poker pro Jacob Thibodeau named Alaska Athlete of the Week after shining at World Series of Poker The Alaska Sports Report provides in-depth daily coverage of Alaska athletes.

Trestin Houck, Shane Ostermiller and Jacob Morris took different paths but reached the same destination in the end.

All three Anchorage wrestlers won Greco Roman titles at Junior Nationals in Fargo, N.D., after Houck pulled off a stunning comeback at 126 pounds, Ostermiller blew away the competition at 144 and Morris held off a Big Ten signee at 157.

by Van Williams | July 16, 2026

South Anchorage High School, Home of the Wolverines South Anchorage Wrestling Mountain City Christian Academy Team Alaska Wrestling Avalanche Wrestling Club

Three Alaska wrestlers win Greco Roman national titles, three others reach podium in Fargo The Alaska Sports Report provides in-depth daily coverage of Alaska athletes.

Matt Thune got his feet wet in his first season as UAA women’s basketball coach. He’s jumping into the deep end in Year 2.

Thune was instrumental in landing bona fide blue blood Louisville for the Great Alaska Shootout in November, when he’ll face off against his former boss Jeff Walz when the tournament tips off Nov. 21 at the Alaska Airlines Center.

by Van Williams | July 15, 2026
Photos by Goon Gallery

University of Alaska Anchorage Women's Basketball Alaska Anchorage Seawolves UAA: University of Alaska Anchorage Alaska Airlines Center

UAA women lure Louisville to Great Alaska Shootout, will open season vs. Colorado Mesa in Hawaii The Alaska Sports Report provides in-depth daily coverage of Alaska athletes.

Allie Ostrander added to her ever-growing resume on Saturday, placing fourth against a loaded field at the U.S. 6K Championships in Canton, Ohio. The professional runner from Kenai sped to a time of 18 minutes, 20 seconds, averaging a blistering pace of 4:55 per mile.

by Arielle Himelbloom | July 12, 2026
Photo by Jan Figueroa

USA Track & Field Alaska Skinny Raven Sports Oiselle Kenai Central High School Kenai Central High School Athletics

Ostrander flies to fourth at U.S. 6K Championships The Alaska Sports Report provides in-depth daily coverage of Alaska athletes.

Jacob Thibodeau’s week-long run at the World Series of Poker Main Event ended on Sunday after his good fortune wasn’t in the cards.

The 2015 Juneau-Douglas graduate went all-in with an ace high against a pair of 6s and couldn’t win the flop as the clock ran out on his deepest run on poker’s greatest stage in Las Vegas.

Thibodeau finished 43rd in a tournament field of 9,208 and pocketed $215,000 after seven days at the table. Not bad for a $10,000 investment. This was his sixth cash at this month’s WSOP, totaling $262,207.

by Van Williams | July 12, 2026
Photos courtesy of Christian Zetzsche and Regina Cortina

Juneau-Douglas High School PokerNews

Thibodeau ends dream run in WSOP Main Event, finishes 43rd and pockets $215,000 The Alaska Sports Report provides in-depth daily coverage of Alaska athletes.