Sports

Sophie Tapley is photographed with her parents, Josh and Whitney Tapley, during Sophie’s signing ceremony at Kenai Central High School on Nov. 26, 2025. Tapley committed to playing volleyball at the University of Alaska Anchorage during the 2026-2027 school year. Photo courtesy of Jesse Settlemyer, Kenai Central Athletics

Kenai Central’s Sophie Tapley signs with UAA volleyball

Tapley will trade her Kardinals jersey for a Seawolf one during the 2026-2027 academic year.

 

Photo courtesy Pete Dickinson
The SoHi junior varsity and varsity wrestling teams compete in the Battle for the Bird at Soldotna High School on Wednesday, Nov. 26. The Kenai Peninsula Athletics Sapphire dance team performed the halftime show.

SoHi, Nikiski wrestling teams compete for Thanksgiving dinner

The Stars and Bulldogs faced off during the Battle for the Bird duals last Wednesday.

 

Runners of all ages gather for a photo in the Homer High School Commons after the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. Due to icy outdoor conditions, the official run was moved to the high school halls. Photo courtesy Matthew Smith

55 turn out for Homer Turkey Trot

Each Thanksgiving morning, the Kachemak Bay Running Club and the City of Homer Community Recreation Department host a combined fun run and food drive to… Continue reading

 

The Kenai Central High School varsity volleyball team is named the 2025 3A Volleyball State Championship Tournament, held Nov. 13-15, 2025, at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska. The Kardinals defeated the Nikiski Bulldogs 3-2 in a "rematch" championship game on Saturday, Nov. 15, securing their third state title in the last four years. Photo courtesy of the Kenai Volleyball Booster Club

Kenai Central takes home 3rd volleyball state title

The Kards defeated Nikiski in a rematch championship game on Saturday during the state tournament in Anchorage.

The Kenai Central High School varsity volleyball team is named the 2025 3A Volleyball State Championship Tournament, held Nov. 13-15, 2025, at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska. The Kardinals defeated the Nikiski Bulldogs 3-2 in a "rematch" championship game on Saturday, Nov. 15, securing their third state title in the last four years. Photo courtesy of the Kenai Volleyball Booster Club
The varsity wrestling team is pictured after the Robin Hervey individual tournament in Kodiak on Nov. 22, 2025. Photo courtesy of Pete Dickinson

Sports briefs: Soldotna hockey, wrestling teams secure wins at weekend tournaments

SoHi hockey won the End of the Road tournament in Homer and the wrestling team gained 20 individual wins.

The varsity wrestling team is pictured after the Robin Hervey individual tournament in Kodiak on Nov. 22, 2025. Photo courtesy of Pete Dickinson
Soldotna High School wrestlers won six individual championships during the Lancer Smith Memorial wrestling tournament in Wasilla Nov. 14-15. Photo courtesy of SoHi Stars Wrestling on Facebook
Soldotna High School wrestlers won six individual championships during the Lancer Smith Memorial wrestling tournament in Wasilla Nov. 14-15. Photo courtesy of SoHi Stars Wrestling on Facebook
Soldotna’s Gracelyn Altobelli attacks against Nikiski’s Addison Perkins on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna’s Gracelyn Altobelli attacks against Nikiski’s Addison Perkins on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The Homer Mariners varsity football team celebrates their victory after the Division III state championships game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Wasilla, Alaska. Photo provided by Justin Zank

Homer, Kenai football receive Division III All-State awards

Players on the Homer High School and Kenai Central High School varsity football teams were selected for Division III football awards last week. The Mariners… Continue reading

The Homer Mariners varsity football team celebrates their victory after the Division III state championships game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Wasilla, Alaska. Photo provided by Justin Zank
The Homer Mariners varsity football team celebrates their victory after the Division III state championships game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Wasilla, Alaska. Photo provided by Justin Zank

Homer football brings home back-to-back state titles

The Mariners defeated Barrow 20-0 on Saturday, winning the state championships for the second year in a row.

The Homer Mariners varsity football team celebrates their victory after the Division III state championships game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Wasilla, Alaska. Photo provided by Justin Zank
Homer's Nik Macauly runs past Kenai Central's Carson Cramer on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Ed Hollier Field at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Homer football tops Kenai

The Homer football team defeated Kenai Central 44-6 on Saturday in Mid Alaska Conference action at Ed Hollier Field at Kenai Central High School. The… Continue reading

Homer's Nik Macauly runs past Kenai Central's Carson Cramer on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Ed Hollier Field at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
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Kenai volleyball ties for 3rd in Gold Bracket at West Spiketacular

The Kenai Central volleyball team tied for third in the Gold Bracket to lead the Kenai Peninsula at the 21-team West Spiketacular on Friday and… Continue reading

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Seward's Emerson Cross celebrates his tackle for a safety against Nikiski on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Seward High School in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward tops Nikiski to collect Fish Bowl for 3rd straight season

The host Seward football team celebrated homecoming by defeating Nikiski 70-0 on Friday at Roger Steinbrecher Memorial Field. The Seahawks clinched the Fish Bowl —… Continue reading

Seward's Emerson Cross celebrates his tackle for a safety against Nikiski on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Seward High School in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
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Saturday: Brown Bears top Mountain Kings, win 2 of 3 at Showcase

The Kenai River Brown Bears finished up play at the North American Hockey League Showcase by defeating the New Hampshire Mountain Kings 4-3 on Saturday… Continue reading

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Kenai Central swimmers sweep Soldotna in dual meet

The Kenai Central girls and boys swimming teams swept a dual meet against Soldotna on Friday at Kenai Central. The Kardinals girls won 10 of… Continue reading

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Soldotna football tops Lathrop, captures 20th straight conference title

The Soldotna football team defeated Lathrop 27-14 on Friday in Railbelt Conference action in Fairbanks. The Stars improved to 6-0 in the league and 7-0… Continue reading

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Seward's Olive Jordan runs to victory in the freshmen-sophomore girls race at the Kenai/Nikiski Class Races on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, at Nikiski Middle-High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Homer girls, boys cross-country sweeps regions; Seward’s Jordan repeats as individual champ

The Homer girls and boys cross-country teams swept the Division II team titles Friday at the Region 3 cross-country meet at Kincaid Park in Anchorage.… Continue reading

Seward's Olive Jordan runs to victory in the freshmen-sophomore girls race at the Kenai/Nikiski Class Races on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, at Nikiski Middle-High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
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Thursday: Soldotna volleyball goes on road to sweep Service

The visiting Soldotna volleyball team defeated Service 25-20, 25-19 and 25-20 on Thursday. SoHi moves to 8-2 in nontournament play. “They played really well tonight,… Continue reading

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Thursday: Rhinos run away in 3rd period to top Bears

The Kenai River Brown Bears dropped an 8-4 decision to the El Paso (Texas) Rhinos on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the North American Hockey League… Continue reading

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Wednesday: Brown Bears defeat Ice Wolves at Showcase

The Kenai River Brown Bears opened up play in the North American Hockey League Showcase by defeating the New Mexico Ice Wolves 3-2 on Wednesday… Continue reading

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Nikiski's Halle Blades attacks against Homer's Alysha Nyvall and Madalyn Miotke on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at Nikiski Middle-High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikiski volleyball outlasts Homer in 5 sets

The host Nikiski volleyball team defeated Homer in Southcentral Conference action Tuesday by scores of 27-25, 21-25, 25-16, 15-25 and 15-11. The Bulldogs move to… Continue reading

Nikiski's Halle Blades attacks against Homer's Alysha Nyvall and Madalyn Miotke on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at Nikiski Middle-High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)