Joey Klecka

CIA, Ninilchik split conference hoops games

CIA, Ninilchik split conference hoops games

It may be a cold night in January, but the Ninilchik boys and Cook Inlet Academy girls know that conference games count just the same.… Continue reading

 

All ages use imagination for Kenai gingerbread house contest

Some of the sweetest ideas featured at the annual gingerbread house contest hosted by the Kenai Chamber of Commerce prove that age is not a… Continue reading

 

Soldotna’s Sean Babbitt competes against Wasilla’s Colton Lindquist in the Division I boys 171-pound final Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, at the ASAA State Wrestling Championships at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

State wrestling: SoHi duo earns girls titles; Homer takes 3rd in DII meet

Soldotna freshman Trinity Donovan walked off the center mat in the cavernous Alaska Airlines Center as a newly minted girls state wrestling champion and pointed… Continue reading

 

Friday hoops: SoHi teams get wins at Al Howard tourney

Friday hoops: SoHi teams get wins at Al Howard tourney

The Soldotna boys took care of business in picking up their first win of the season Friday at the Powerade/Al Howard Tip-Off tournament at Soldotna… Continue reading

Friday hoops: SoHi teams get wins at Al Howard tourney
Kenai’s Damaris Severson (24) defends Houston’s Emily Bitler, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, at the Craig Jung Kenai River Challenge tournament at Kenai Central High School. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Prep hoops: Kenai River Challenge, Al Howard, CIA Classic tournaments kick off

One game into his tenure as Kenai Central girls basketball head coach and Jeff Swick is 1-0. Swick had to sweat it out as the… Continue reading

Kenai’s Damaris Severson (24) defends Houston’s Emily Bitler, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, at the Craig Jung Kenai River Challenge tournament at Kenai Central High School. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski’s Yorik Bastuck grapples with Kenai’s Isaiah Ticknor, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, at a Kenai/Nikiski dual meet at Nikiski High School. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

State wrestling preview: Homer going for 3rd title in 5 years

Dynasties are etched in stone over years, not months. The mark of a dynasty is the return to power year after year, season after season.… Continue reading

Nikiski’s Yorik Bastuck grapples with Kenai’s Isaiah Ticknor, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, at a Kenai/Nikiski dual meet at Nikiski High School. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Pigskin Pick ‘Em: So you’re telling me there’s a chance?

Pigskin Pick ‘Em: So you’re telling me there’s a chance?

After another middling, but positive, performance in the NFL’s 14th week, the column received a much-needed week off. The NFL season can be a grind… Continue reading

Pigskin Pick ‘Em: So you’re telling me there’s a chance?
Edwards-Smith, Aldridge win FFS #6 bike race

Edwards-Smith, Aldridge win FFS #6 bike race

Race two of the Freezer Food Series went to winners Dave Edwards-Smith and Morgan Aldridge, Sunday at the Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna. Edwards-Smith tackled the… Continue reading

Edwards-Smith, Aldridge win FFS #6 bike race
Carla (left) and Chris Jenness act out a scene Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, at a rehearsal of “A Christmas Story” by the Triumvirate Theatre North in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Holiday classic comes to Triumvirate

The story follows young Ralphie Parker and his efforts to get a Red Ryder air rifle as a present.

Carla (left) and Chris Jenness act out a scene Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, at a rehearsal of “A Christmas Story” by the Triumvirate Theatre North in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Brown Bears shut out Jr. Blues

Brown Bears shut out Jr. Blues

A team defined by their potent offense, the Kenai River Brown Bears showed they can win on both sides of the rink, securing their first… Continue reading

Brown Bears shut out Jr. Blues
Redoubt Chamber Orchestra Conductor Tammy Vollom-Matturro leads the Kenai Peninsula Singers during a rehearsal on Dec. 11, 2017. The choir and orchestra will perform together in the 2019 Evening of Christmas on Friday, Dec. 15. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

“Evening of Christmas” concert returns for 17th year

The evening features the Redoubt Chamber Orchestra and the Kenai Peninsula Singers.

Redoubt Chamber Orchestra Conductor Tammy Vollom-Matturro leads the Kenai Peninsula Singers during a rehearsal on Dec. 11, 2017. The choir and orchestra will perform together in the 2019 Evening of Christmas on Friday, Dec. 15. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The Tsalteshi Trails, seen here on Dec. 3, 2019, are open for nordic skiing only, with most of the trail system groomed. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Winter trails report

Snowfall, rainstorm transform ski, walk, bike trails

The Tsalteshi Trails, seen here on Dec. 3, 2019, are open for nordic skiing only, with most of the trail system groomed. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Homer’s Russell Nyvall grabs Soldotna’s Peyton Lawton in a headlock Saturday, Oct 26, 2019, at the Luke Spruill Memorial Tournament at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Prep wrestling teams face high stakes at region meets

State tournament spots are up for grabs this weekend at the Northern Lights Conference and Kachemak Conference championship wrestling meets. The Northern Lights Conference will… Continue reading

Homer’s Russell Nyvall grabs Soldotna’s Peyton Lawton in a headlock Saturday, Oct 26, 2019, at the Luke Spruill Memorial Tournament at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Jr. Blues nip Brown Bears

Jr. Blues nip Brown Bears

The game of chase the Kenai River Brown Bears played Thursday night was not enough to secure victory, as the Bears lost 4-3 to the… Continue reading

Jr. Blues nip Brown Bears
A field of skiers take off for a pair of races Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Black Stone Axe Ridge Warm Up Rally at the Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Cross-country skiers rally at Tsalteshi

The snow dump early last week provided the perfect setting for Saturday’s Black Stone Axe Ridge Warm Up Rally, which organizers hope will be the… Continue reading

A field of skiers take off for a pair of races Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Black Stone Axe Ridge Warm Up Rally at the Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Santa Claus lights up the Christmas tree in front of an audience Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Christmas in the Park Celebration at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Lighting up the night

Soldotna Creek Park hosts Santa and tree-lighting ceremony at the Christmas in the Park celebration.

Santa Claus lights up the Christmas tree in front of an audience Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Christmas in the Park Celebration at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai River Brown Bears forward Cody Moline carries the puck behind the net against the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Weekend preview: Bears welcome Jets for 2-game series

The resurgent Kenai River Brown Bears entered the Thanksgiving weekend with an unbeaten month of November and leading the North American Hockey League Midwest division.… Continue reading

Kenai River Brown Bears forward Cody Moline carries the puck behind the net against the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
What’s new is old: Gutierrez returns to Brown Bears

What’s new is old: Gutierrez returns to Brown Bears

One of the newest faces on the Kenai River Brown Bears roster is actually an old one who has returned to help bring the team… Continue reading

What’s new is old: Gutierrez returns to Brown Bears
SoHi hockey falls to Chugiak

SoHi hockey falls to Chugiak

The Soldotna hockey team fell 6-2 to the Chugiak Mustangs Thursday night in a nonconference clash in Chugiak. A power play goal by Galen Brantley… Continue reading

SoHi hockey falls to Chugiak
Nikolaevsk wins 1st day at Mix Six state volleyball

Nikolaevsk wins 1st day at Mix Six state volleyball

The Nikolaevsk Warriors won and advanced Thursday at the Mix Six state volleyball championships at Dimond High School with a 2-1 win over Gustavus, which… Continue reading

Nikolaevsk wins 1st day at Mix Six state volleyball