Native Youth Olympics Invitational celebrates five years as part of the Peninsula Winter Games
Kenaitze’s Joseph Whittom competes Saturday morning in the arm pull event at the tribe’s Native Youth Olympics Invitational held at Mountain View Elementary School in conjunction with the Peninsula Winter Games.
When he was called to the stage during an awards ceremony at the 2017 Native Youth Olympics Invitational, Joseph Whittom didn’t believe his ears.
“When they called my name, I was super surprised. I was like, wait, did they say that right? I was amazed,” Whittom recalled. “When I went up there, I wasn’t smiling at first and my mom looked at me and was like, ‘smile,’ and then I was OK.”
Whittom, 12, earned the Male Sportsmanship Award at the fifth-annual NYO invitational, which the tribe hosted in January as part of the 2017 Peninsula Winter Games. Allie Toloff of the Qutekcak team earned the Female Sportsmanship Award, while Chickaloon won the Team Sportsmanship Award. Coaches and officials vote on the awards.
Kenaitze’s Emilee Wilson competes Saturday morning in the two-foot high kick event at the tribe’s Native Youth Olympics Invitational held at Mountain View Elementary School in conjunction with the Peninsula Winter Games.
The invite, spanning three days, featured competitive events such as the one-foot high kick, arm pull, seal hop and stick pull as about 150 youth athletes competed in junior and senior divisions. Teams from across the Kenai Peninsula and beyond competed.
Although records fell and the competition was stiff, those who participated agreed being a good sport was more important than winning and losing.
“It’s all about sportsmanship and beating your own personal best,” Whittom said. “Everybody helps out everybody.”
Kenaitze’s Gideon Collover is all business as he competes in the Eskimo stick pull event Saturday the tribe’s Native Youth Olympics Invitational at Mountain View Elementary School. Events continue Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
Whittom, a sixth-grader at K-Beach Elementary School, began participating in NYO about three years ago.
His favorite events include the one-foot high kick, Eskimo stick pull, Indian stick pull, arm pull and Alaskan high kick. Competing in the junior boys division, Whittom placed first in the Alaskan high kick, arm pull, Eskimo stick pull and seal hop.
But throughout the competition, his priority was supporting fellow competitors.
“I was encouraging other kids to beat their personal bests and giving them some tips on what to do,” Whittom said.
Judah Eason, 14, competed in the senior division for the Ninilchik team and has participated in NYO for six or seven years.
Like Whittom, Eason also posted impressive results, placing first in the one-foot high kick, Alaskan high kick, Eskimo stick pull and scissor broad jump.
Chickaloon’s Misty May Agoff competes Saturday morning in the one-hand reach event at the tribe’s Native Youth Olympics Invitational held at Mountain View Elementary School in conjunction with the Peninsula Winter Games. Competitors have to balance on one hand, reach up and touch the bag, then return to balance.
But he, too, relished the support and camaraderie among athletes as much as winning.
“These events are awesome, the cultural aspects, the social aspects – everyone coming together,” Eason said. “I think it’s great that there is a sport where everyone helps each other.”
Tanner Fry, 15, participated for the first time as a member of the Chickaloon team.
Fry, who learned of NYO through his brother, had about a month of practice before his debut.
He admitted he wasn’t sure what to expect as a first-time participant, but walked away with a positive experience and plans to participate again. The Eskimo stick pull and Alaskan high kick were the events he most enjoyed.
“Amazing,” Fry said of the experience. “Great support from everybody.”
Kenaitze’s William Wilson competes to a win in the boys junior division of the one-foot high kick event Saturday during the tribe’s Native Youth Olympics Invitational at Mountain View Elementary School. Events continue Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
Julianne Wilson receives a congratulatory hug on the medalist podium Saturday.
Yaghanen program administrator Michael Bernard, who has helped coordinate the event the past five years, said more athletes competed this year than ever before.
Because the event was open to the public, a few new people also expressed interest in joining Yaghanen.
“The event went really well,” Bernard said, adding that it was rewarding to see a Kenaitze athlete earn a sportsmanship award. “It’s one of the top three awards that those kids could walk away with.”
Chiqinik, thank you
The tribe extends a warm chiqinik, thank you, to those who supported the 2017 Native Youth Olympics Invitational: Alaska USA Federal Credit Union; Soldotna Chamber of Commerce; Kenai Peninsula Native Youth Leaders; Mountain View Elementary School; Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Title VI Indian Education Program; Tyotkas Elder Center; Kenaitze’s safety and security department; and tribal volunteers and staff.
2017 Native Youth Olympics
Jan. 20 to 22
Kenai Middle School
One-foot high kick
Junior girls
1. Emilee Wilson, Kenaitze, 66 inches; 2. Lydia Alverts, Chickaloon, 64 inches; 3. Robin Cronin, Seward, 60 inches; 4. Leila Kell, Chickaloon, 60 inches; 5. Morgan Lemm, Kenaitze, 52 inches.
Junior boys
1. William Wilson, Kenaitze, 75 inches; 2. Ceiony Allen, Ninilchik, 68 inches; 3. Cooper Bernard, Kenaitze, 64 inches; 4. Kaison Herrmann, Kenai, 64 inches; 5. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze, 64 inches.
Senior girls
1. Julianne Wilson, Kenaitze, 86 inches; 2. Chelsea Plagge, Kenaitze, 76 inches; 3. Kya Ahlers, Kenaitze, 78 inches; 4. Misty May Agoff, Chickaloon, 71 inches; 5. Allie Toloff, Seward, 70 inches.
Senior boys
1. Judah Eason, Ninilchik, 100 inches; 2. Jake Smith, Wasilla, 98 inches; 3. Nathan Shanigan, Wasilla, 94 inches; 4. Luke Riley, Ninilchik, 89 inches; 5. Tony Riley Ninilchik, 88 inches.
One-hand reach
Senior girls
1. Sam Derr, Wasilla, 54 inches; 2. Trillium Kell, Chickaloon, 48 inches; 3. Misty May Aganoff, Chickaloon, 43 inches; 4. Julianne Wilson, Kenaitze, 42 inches.
Senior boys
1. Jake Smith, Wasilla, 60 inches; 2. Ray Lamont, Wasilla, 56 inches; 3. Luke Riley, Ninilchik, 50 inches; 4. Judah Eason, Ninilchik, 50 inches; 5. Steven Riley, Ninilchik, 46 inches.
Two-foot high kick
Junior girls
1. Emilee Wilson, Kenaitze, 48 inches (1 miss); 2. Leila Kell, Chickaloon, 48 inches (6 misses); 3. Morgan Lemm, Kenaitze, 40 inches; 4. Alexa Richard, Ninilchik, 36 inches (1 miss); 5. Robin Cronin, Seward, 36 inches (4 misses).
Junior boys
1. William Wilson, Kenaitze, 56 inches; 2. Kaison Herrmann, Kenai, 52 inches; 3. Ceiony Allen, Ninilchik, 50 inches; 4. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze, 46 inches; 5. Tre McGovern, Knik Elementary, 42 inches.
Senior girls
1. Julianne Wilson, Kenaitze, 73 inches; 2. Kya Ahlers, Kenaitze, 57 inches (1 miss); 3. Misty May Agoff, Chickaloon, 57 inches (2 misses); 4. Trillium Kell, Chickaloon, 50 inches; 5. Auna Reed-Lewis, Chickaloon, 48 inches.
Senior boys
1. Steven Riley, Ninilchik, 83 inches; 2. Jake Smith, Wasilla, 80 inches; 3. Luke Riley, Ninilchik, 78 inches; 4. Tony Riley, Ninilchik, 70 inches; Ray Lamont, Wasilla, 66 inches.
Alaskan high kick
Junior girls
1. Leila Kell, Chickaloon, 58 inches; 2. Emiliee Wilson, Kenaitze, 44 inches; 3. Alexa Richard, Ninilchik, 44 inches; 4. Robin Cronin, Seward, 44 inches; 5. Angel Anderson, Kenaitze, 44 inches.
Junior boys
1. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze, 52 inches; 2. William Wilson, Kenaitze, 50 inches; 3. Seth Strange, Mirror Lake, 48 inches; 4. Porter Rockwell, Seward, 43 inches; 5. Eli Matheson, Seward, 42 inches.
Senior girls
1. Mistly May Agoff, Chickaloon, 68 inches; 2. Julianne Wilson, Kenaitze, 60 inches; 3. Trillium Kell, Chickaloon, 60 inches; 4. Allie Toloff, Seward, 56 inches; 5. Kya Ahlers, Kenaitze, 52 inches.
Senior boys
1. Judah Eason, Ninilchik, 84 inches; 2. Jake Smith, Wasilla, 76 inches; 3. Steven Riley, Ninilchik, 75 inches; Luke Riley, Ninilchik, 74 inches; 5. Tony Riley, Ninilchik, 70 inches.
Arm pull
Junior girls
1. Chloe Lastimosa, Seward; 2.Shanae Harrison, Chickaloon; 3. Leila Kell, Chickaloon; 4. Robin Cronin, Seward; 5. Cherish Polteiger, Chickaloon.
Junior boys
1. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze 2. William Wilson, Kenaitze; 3. Ceiony Allen, Ninilchik; 4. Kaison Herrmann, Kenai; 5. Eli Matheson, Seward.
Eskimo stick pull
Junior girls
1. Chloe Lastimosa, Seward; 2. Shanae Harrison, Chickaloon; 3. Alexa Richard, Ninilchik; 4. Morgan Lemm, Kenaitze; 5. Jayna Ekelmann, Chickaloon.
Junior boys
1. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze; 2. Kaison Herrmann, Kenai; 3. Eli Matheson, Seward; 4. Cooper Bernard, Kenaitze; 5. Tiernan McGovern, Knik Elementary.
Senior girls
1. Mahogoni Harrison, Chickaloon; 2. Renee Varney, Central KPNYL; 3. Sam Derr, Wasilla; 4. Kya Ahlers, Kenaitze; 5. Jade Robuck, Ninilchik.
Senior boys
1. Judah Eason, Ninilchik; 2. Tony Riley, Ninilchik; 3. Nick Valenza, Seward; 4. Gideon Collver; 5. Charlie Mack, Seward.
Indian stick pull
Junior girls
1. Shelby Strange, Chugiak; 2. Jenna Yeoman, Kenaitze; 3. Emilee Wilson, Kenaitze; 4. Morgan Lemm, Kenaitze; 5. Megan Whittom, Kenaitze.
Junior boys
1. Cooper Bernard, Kenaitze, 2. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze; 3. Ceioney Allen, Ninilchik; 4. Ethan Archuletta, Chickaloon; 5. Seth Strange, Mirror Lake.
Senior girls
1. Misty May Agoff, Chickaloon; 2. Auna Reed-Lewis, Chickaloon; 3. Sam Derr, Wasilla; 4. Savanna Wilson, Kenaitze; 5. Hanna Wilson, Kenaitze.
Senior boys
1. Nicolas Valenza, Seward; 2. Charlie Mack, Seward 3. Nathan Shanigan, Wasilla; 4. Samiel Wilson, Kenaitze; 5. Andrew Wilson, Kenaitze.
Kneel jump
Junior girls
1. Leila Kell, Chickaloon, 24 inches; 2. Jenna Yeoman, Kenaitze, 23 ½ inches; 3. Kailey Dixon, Larson Elementary, 20 inches; 4. Alexa Richard, Ninilchik, 17 ¼ inches; 5. Jalyn Yeoman, Kenaitze, 17 ¼ inches.
Junior boys
1. Kaison Herrmann, Kenai, 25 ¼ inches; 2. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze, 21 ¼ inches; 3. True McGovern, Knik Elementary, 18 ¾ inches; 4. William Wilson, Kenaitze, 17 ½ inches; 5. Porter Rockwell, Seward, 17 ¼ inches.
Senior girls
1. Julianne Wilson, Kenaitze, 44 ¾ inches; 2. Misty May Agoff, Chickaloon, 31 ¼ inches; 3. Tierra McGovern, Redington Junior/Senior High, 28 inches; 4. Kya Ahlers, Kenaitze, 28 inches; 5. Trillium Kell, Chickaloon, 28 inches.
Senior boys
1. Steven Riley, Ninilchik, 48 inches; 2.Tony Riley, Ninilchik, 48 inches; 3. Judah Eason, Ninilchik, 45 ½ inches; 4. Luke Riley, Ninilchik, 41 inches; 5. Tommy Cronin, Seward, 33 ¼ inches.
Scissor Broad Jump
Junior girls
1. Leila Kell, Chickaloon, 19 feet, 3 ¼ inches; 2. Lydia Alverts, Chickaloon, 18 feet, 11 inches; 3. Kylie Rickard, Ninilchik, 18 feet, 8 inches; 4. Alexa Richard, Ninilchik, 18 feet, 7 ¾ inches; 5. Robin Cronin, Seward, 18 feet, ¼ inch.
Junior boys
1. Ceiony Allen, Ninilchik, 20 feet, 6 inches; 2. Seth Strange, Mirror Lake, 19 feet, 9 inches; 3. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze, 19 feet, 4 ½ inches; 4. Isiah Kroto, Chickaloon, 18 feet, 5 ½ inches; 5. Rylan Krege, Ninilchik, 17 feet, 11 inches.
Senior girls
1. Julianne Wilson, Kenaitze, 26 feet, 9 ½ inches; 2. Allie Toloff, Seward, 23 feet, 3 ½ inches; 3. Tierra McGovern, Redington Junior/Senior High, 22 feet, ½ inch; 4. Auna Reed-Lewis, Chickaloon, 21 feet, 10 ¼ inches; 5. Trillium Kell, Chickaloon, 21 feet, 5 inches.
Senior boys
1. Judah Eason, Ninilchik, 34 feet, 3 ½ inches; 2. Steven Riley, Ninilchik, 30 feet 8 ¼ inches; 3. Jake Smith, Wasilla, 29 feet, 3 inches; 4. Nathan Shanigan, Wasila, 28 feet, 11 ½ inches; 5. Tony Riley, Ninilchik, 28 feet, 8 ½ inches.
Seal hop
Junior girls
1. Leila Kell, Chickaloon, 68 feet, 9 ¾ inches; 2. Kailey Dixon, Larson Elementary, 61 feet, 6 inches; 3. Emilee Wilson, Kenaitze, 50 feet, 6 ½ inches; 4. Alexa Richard, Ninilchik, 49 feet, 4 inches; 5. Angel Anderson, Kenaitze, 40 feet.
Junior boys
1. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze, 49 feet, 5 inches; 2. Cooper Bernard, Kenaitze, 48 feet, 8 ½ inches; 3. Seth Strange, Mirror Lake, 46 feet, 5 inches; 4. Timothy Hedrick, Kenaitze, 45 feet, 10 inches; 5. Kaison Herrmann, Kenai, 13 feet, 5 ½ inches.
Senior girls
1. Julianne Wilson, Kenaitze, 106 feet, 3 ¾ inches; 2. Kya Ahlers, Kenaitze, 74 feet, 3 ½ inches; 3. Sam Derr, Wasilla, 72 feet, 11 ½ inches; 4. Kayla Lopez, Wasilla, 67 feet, 1 inch; 5. Trillium Kell, Chickaloon, 66 feet, 6 inches.
Senior boys
1. Steven Riley, Ninilchik, 59 feet, 1 inch; 2. Judah Eason, Ninilchik, 54 feet, 7 inches; 3. Luke Riley, Ninilchik, 44 feet, 11 inches; 4. Jake Smith, Wasilla, 44 feet, 3 inches; 5. Gideon Collver, Kenaitze, 33 feet, 1 ½ inch.
Wrist carry
Junior girls (in seconds)
1. Mylee Barnette, Kenaitze, 26.98; 2. Jayln Yeoman, Kenaitze, 22.89; 3. Kiana Kroto, Chickaloon, 16.57 seconds; 4. Iris Hale, Kenaitze, 12.36; 5. Jenna Yeoman, 10.97.
Junior boys (in seconds)
1. William Wilson, Kenaitze, 18.35; 2. Seth Strange, Mirror Lake, 13.75; 3. Elliot White, Ninilchik, 10.10; 4. Kaison Herrmann, Kenai, 8.33; 5. True McGovern, Knik Elementary, 7.28.
Senior girls
1. Savanna Wilson, Kenaitze, 55 feet, 3 inches; 2. Misty May Agoff, Chickaloon, 29 feet; 3. Auna Reed-Lewis, Chickaloon, 14 feet, 8 inches; 4. Trillium Kell, Chickaloon, 11 feet, 2 inches; 5. Hanna Wilson, Kenaitze, 5 feet.
Senior boys
1. Ray Lamont, Wasilla, 375 feet, 5 inches; 2. Luke Riley, Ninilchik, 304 feet; 3. Judah Eason, Ninilchik, 238 feet, 4 ½ inches; 4. Brennan Slats, Central KPNYL, 115 feet, 8 inches; 5. Andrew Wilson, Kenaitze, 107 feet, 1 inch.
