Joey Klecka

Northern Lights season preview: Kenai and SoHi look to make it big

The history between Kenai Central and Soldotna is long and filled with memories, but the two basketball teams that represent the schools may need a… Continue reading

Southcentral season preview: 3A hoops teams look to break heirarchy

In Class 3A high school hoops competition, most seasons see a regular heirarchy of a top team or two, a middle mix of contenders and… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  Soldotna's

Thunder Mountain boys win Al Howard tourney

Thunder Mountain nabbed the Powerade/Al Howard Tipoff tournament title Saturday with a 65-57 victory over Soldotna. Both teams came into Saturday’s game undefeated in the… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  Soldotna's
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Cook Inlet Academy Eagle's Emma Lyons attempts to block Seldovia Lady Sea Otters Marina Chissus Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, at Cook Inlet Academy in Soldotna, Alaska.

SoHi JV boys, CIA girls claim Classic hoops titles

When the buzzer sounded Saturday night signaling the end of the final game of the CIA Classic tournament, the Seldovia boys hoops team was celebrating… Continue reading

Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Cook Inlet Academy Eagle's Emma Lyons attempts to block Seldovia Lady Sea Otters Marina Chissus Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, at Cook Inlet Academy in Soldotna, Alaska.

Friday: SoHi boys topple Palmer at Tipoff tourney

The Soldotna offense exploded at the right time Friday night as the Stars toppled Northern Lights Conference opponent Palmer 53-46 at the Powerade/Al Howard Tipoff… Continue reading

Homer girls get upset of SoHi

The Homer girls hoops team has been a busy group in recent days. Finishing a week that included high school finals and getting stuck in… Continue reading

Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion  Nikiski junior Luke Johnson points toward the sky in celebration of his 220-pound state title victory at the Class 1-2-3A state wrestling championships, Saturday at Bartlett High School in Anchorage, Alaska.

Homer’s Harrington wins historic girls title; Johnson, Carstens triumph for Nikiski

A trio of Peninsula athletes claimed a Class 1-2-3A state wrestling crown under the glare of the spotlight in the Bartlett High School gym Saturday… Continue reading

Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion  Nikiski junior Luke Johnson points toward the sky in celebration of his 220-pound state title victory at the Class 1-2-3A state wrestling championships, Saturday at Bartlett High School in Anchorage, Alaska.
Soldotna cagers sweep CIA

Soldotna cagers sweep CIA

A pair of revamped Soldotna basketball squads took the court Friday night but still came away with victories to open the season. The SoHi girls… Continue reading

Soldotna cagers sweep CIA

SoHi cagers open season with sweep of CIA

A pair of revamped Soldotna High basketball squads took the court Friday night but still came away with victories to open the season. The SoHi… Continue reading

Small-school wrestlers await state spotlight

The darkening days of winter have taken a firm hold of Southcentral, but when the sun sets Saturday evening, a single spotlight will be hoisted… Continue reading

Kenai takes dual win over SoHi

Over the years that Soldotna’s Neldon Gardner and Kenai Central’s Stan Steffensen have faced each other as coaches on the wrestling mat, the rivalry has… Continue reading

Photo by Rasha McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  Skiers from three Kenai Peninsula High Schools competed Saturday Dec. 6, 2012 during a race at the Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna, Alaska.

Local ski studs hope to see state glory

For a sport that is so rigorously dependent on weather conditions, Nordic skiing has seen its share of difficulties in recent years. This year has… Continue reading

Photo by Rasha McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  Skiers from three Kenai Peninsula High Schools competed Saturday Dec. 6, 2012 during a race at the Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna, Alaska.

1st ski race of year hits Tsalteshi Trails

The Tsalteshi Trails were the scene of Saturday’s opening high school race of the season, and with juicy flakes of snow gently falling for much… Continue reading

Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion  Nikiski Bulldogs' Luke Johnson in the 220-pound weight class tries to push Soldotna Stars' Taylor Macree's head to the mat Saturday, November 15, 2014, at Nikiski High-Middle School in Nikiski, Alaska.

Kotzebue wins Peninsula Duals tourney, Nikiski takes 3rd

With hundreds of wrestlers from 15 different teams across the state, the Peninsula Duals at Nikiski High School this weekend featured some of the top… Continue reading

Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion  Nikiski Bulldogs' Luke Johnson in the 220-pound weight class tries to push Soldotna Stars' Taylor Macree's head to the mat Saturday, November 15, 2014, at Nikiski High-Middle School in Nikiski, Alaska.
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Kenai Brown Bears' Alex Jackstadt races away from Minnesota Magicians' with control of the puck Friday, November 14, 2014 at the Soldotna Regional Sportd Complex in Soldotna, Alaska.

Brown Bears take on Magicians

With everybody else in the North American Hockey League at least two games over .500, the Kenai River Brown Bears notched a sweep of the… Continue reading

Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Kenai Brown Bears' Alex Jackstadt races away from Minnesota Magicians' with control of the puck Friday, November 14, 2014 at the Soldotna Regional Sportd Complex in Soldotna, Alaska.

Brown Bears top Magicians

With the rest of the North American Hockey League pulling away in the point standings, the Kenai River Brown Bears needed a win Friday to… Continue reading

Big-schools wrestling preview: Coaches Steffensen, Gardner return to old mat rooms

The feeling of coming home after a long time away can overwhelm even the most resolute of people.For the coaches of the two large-schools prep… Continue reading

Homer, Nikiski head off to state volleyball tourney

The Homer and Nikiski volleyball squads both punched their tickets to the Class 3A state championship tournament with big wins last Saturday, and both share… Continue reading

Soldotna's Alex Weeks is shown during the start of the girls 50 free at Saturday's state swim championships in Anchorage's Bartlett High School pool. KLAS STOLPE | JUNEAU EMPIRE

SoHi girls take 6th at state swimming

Suffering from a stomach bug Friday evening, Soldotna senior Alex Weeks had memories of the 2011 state swim meet come flooding back to her. As… Continue reading

Soldotna's Alex Weeks is shown during the start of the girls 50 free at Saturday's state swim championships in Anchorage's Bartlett High School pool. KLAS STOLPE | JUNEAU EMPIRE

Prep hockey season preview: Teams suit up different players and coaches

The ice will be cold and the action will be hot this year in the world of high school hockey.But the change of leadership may… Continue reading