Soldotna High School

The Soldotna High School varsity football team receives certificates of achievement, presented on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026,  by Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche (right) and KPB Assembly member Sargeant Truesdell, for winning the Division II State Championship in October 2025. Photo courtesy Joe Rizzo

Assembly commends Kenai, Soldotna teams

The Soldotna High School football team and Kenai Central High School marching band and girls’ volleyball team received recognition for their accomplishments in 2025.

The Soldotna High School varsity football team receives certificates of achievement, presented on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026,  by Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche (right) and KPB Assembly member Sargeant Truesdell, for winning the Division II State Championship in October 2025. Photo courtesy Joe Rizzo
Soldotna High School students learn how to prepare moose meat through the school’s annual Moose Permit Project, an educational partnership between SoHi and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Photo courtesy of Tabitha Blades/Soldotna High School

Soldotna students get hands-on moose harvest experience

SoHi’s annual Moose Permit Project is an educational collaboration between the school and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Soldotna High School students learn how to prepare moose meat through the school’s annual Moose Permit Project, an educational partnership between SoHi and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Photo courtesy of Tabitha Blades/Soldotna High School
Senior Mason Bock exclaims after winning the state title during the ASAA Division I state championships in Anchorage, Alaska on Dec. 20, 2025. Bock beat No. 2 seed Isaiah Schultz of Colony High School in the final, securing his victory in the 135-pound title as the No. 4 seed. Bock said standing on the podium was the best moment of his life, telling the Clarion that since he had lost to Schultz once earlier in the season, he was “focused and determined to have a different outcome” during the final match. Photo courtesy of Andie Bock/Andie’s Alaskan Adventures Photography

SoHi girls 3-peat at state wrestling championships

The boys team placed second and saw five wrestlers win state titles in the Division I tournament.

Senior Mason Bock exclaims after winning the state title during the ASAA Division I state championships in Anchorage, Alaska on Dec. 20, 2025. Bock beat No. 2 seed Isaiah Schultz of Colony High School in the final, securing his victory in the 135-pound title as the No. 4 seed. Bock said standing on the podium was the best moment of his life, telling the Clarion that since he had lost to Schultz once earlier in the season, he was “focused and determined to have a different outcome” during the final match. Photo courtesy of Andie Bock/Andie’s Alaskan Adventures Photography
Homer and Soldotna hockey players battle for the puck during the Carlin Cup home varsity game on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at the Kevin Bell Arena in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

SoHi hockey claims 3rd Carlin Cup victory

The Soldotna varsity hockey team defeated Homer 9-1 Saturday at Kevin Bell Arena.

Homer and Soldotna hockey players battle for the puck during the Carlin Cup home varsity game on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at the Kevin Bell Arena in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
The Soldotna High School wrestling team is pictured after the Northern Lights regional conference in Wasilla, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. SoHi sent 33 boys and 11 girls to regionals. 22 boys and nine girls will compete in the state tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center this weekend. Photo courtesy of Soldotna High School Athletics
The Soldotna High School wrestling team is pictured after the Northern Lights regional conference in Wasilla, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. SoHi sent 33 boys and 11 girls to regionals. 22 boys and nine girls will compete in the state tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center this weekend. Photo courtesy of Soldotna High School Athletics
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.

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.
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)
Graduates of Soldotna High School celebrate after receiving their diplomas on the school’s football field in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Go do cool stuff’

Soldotna High School graduates told to chase futures that will make them happy.

Graduates of Soldotna High School celebrate after receiving their diplomas on the school’s football field in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Molly Tuter, far right, is pictured as Coach Dan Gensel, far left, prepares to get his ear pierced to celebrate Soldotna High School’s first team-sport state championship on Friday, Feb. 12, 1993 in Soldotna. Gensel, who led the Soldotna High School girls basketball team to victory, had promised his team earlier in the season that he would get his ear pierced if they won the state title. (Rusty Swan/Peninsula Clarion)

Molly Tuter, Alaska basketball trailblazer from Soldotna, dies at 49

The legendary high school and college basketball player from Soldotna she was the first Alaskan to play in the WNBA

Molly Tuter, far right, is pictured as Coach Dan Gensel, far left, prepares to get his ear pierced to celebrate Soldotna High School’s first team-sport state championship on Friday, Feb. 12, 1993 in Soldotna. Gensel, who led the Soldotna High School girls basketball team to victory, had promised his team earlier in the season that he would get his ear pierced if they won the state title. (Rusty Swan/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion
Soldotna head coach Galen Brantley Jr. leads his team back on the field after halftime Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in the Division II championship game at Service High School in Anchorage, Alaska.

Brantley Jr. can set state wins record Friday

The pieces of the puzzle in place for Soldotna football include community, year-round strength training, detailed coaching, and solid assistant coaches and administration

Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion
Soldotna head coach Galen Brantley Jr. leads his team back on the field after halftime Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in the Division II championship game at Service High School in Anchorage, Alaska.
The Soldotna High School hockey team is recognized for winning the 2023 Division II state hockey championship during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Soldtona, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna High School hockey team is recognized for winning the 2023 Division II state hockey championship during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Soldtona, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dr. April Walgenbach stands in one of the examination rooms at Peninsula Community Health Services Eye Clinic in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

SoHi grad leads eye clinic at PCHS

Throughout her education, Dr. April Walgenbach said she always intended to return to her hometown

Dr. April Walgenbach stands in one of the examination rooms at Peninsula Community Health Services Eye Clinic in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Brayden Taylor runs the ball to the end zone during Soldotna High's homecoming footall game at Justin Maile Field in Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna beats Palmer to win homecoming game

By CAMILLE BOTELLO Peninsula Clarion The Soldotna Stars football team overpowered the Palmer Moose to win Friday’s homecoming game 46-27 at Justin Maile Field. Soldotna… Continue reading

Brayden Taylor runs the ball to the end zone during Soldotna High's homecoming footall game at Justin Maile Field in Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)