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WRITTEN BY VAN WILLIAMS

ALASKA ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

GUS SCHUMACHER

The Anchorage skier wiped away decades of frustration for the US Ski Team by becoming the first American male to win a World Junior Championship. Gus used a killer kick over the final two kilometers to come from behind and snag the gold medal in the 10-K classic race in Germany by 4.5 seconds. The Service High School graduate's gold at the U20 international competition is the first medal ever by an American male at World Juniors.

The winner is selected by a panel each Friday and announced Saturday at 11 a.m. on the Sports Guys on CBS Sports Radio 590AM and 96.7FM. View past winners here.

Kimber wins 2 titles - one on her own and one with McKendree

March 8, 2020

Sydnee Kimber

Sydnee Kimber of Sitka capped her sensational sophomore season by winning two national titles - one on her own and one with McKendree University.

It all went down at the Cliff Keen National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championship in Aiden, Michigan.

The 191-pounder went 3-0 in her weight class and did not allow a point, outscoring her opponents 24-0.

Swayman furnishes 48-save shutout for career-high 18th win

March 7, 2020

Jeremy Swayman

Anchorage's Jeremy Swayman was already one of college hockey's top goalies, but over the last three weeks he has played like the No. 1 guy.

The University of Maine netminder has posted three shutouts in his last five starts, including a 48-save gem to blank Providence 3-0 in the regular-season finale in Hockey East.

Swayman turned aside 18 shots in the first period, nine in the second period and 21 in the third period.

Curfman goes from shaky to sensational for Northern State

March 6, 2020

Cody Curfman

Chugiak's Cody Curfman had every reason to throw in the towel.

The Northern State University right-hander trailed 6-0 after the first inning. He gave up six hits to the first nine batters and looked iffy.

From shaky to sensational, the starting pitcher battled back to work five shutout innings and strike out 10 batters from the University of Findlay in Winer Haven, Florida.

ChristianHausinger

Christian Hausinger of Anchorage set up others on the University of Wisconsin-River Falls hockey team all season, so it was fitting that the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference made the top individual award all about him.

Hausinger was named player of the year and headlined the all-conference team after leading the the NCAA D3 league in assists and points - as a defenseman, no less.

Williams, Alstrom, Hornbuckle rep Alaska among NWAC all-stars

March 5, 2020

Jaron Williams

Jaron Williams of Anchorage was recognized in a big way by the NWAC as the freshman for Spokane was picked Eastern Region Defensive Player of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Defensive Team in addition to being named First Team All-Region.

The 6-foot-4 guard led the league with 3.0 steals per game and anchored the seventh-ranked defense.

Griffin grabs 13 boards, captures 4th WNBL title in Australia

March 4, 2020

Kelsey Griffin

Eagle River's Kelsey Griffin ripped down a game-high 13 rebounds and played 35 minutes as the Canberra Capitals beat the Southside Flyers 71-68 in Game 2 of the WNBL Grand Finals in Australia.

The Capitals swept the best-of-3 series to secure back-to-back championships, giving Griffin four titles in eight WNBL seasons.

Ruthy Hebard and Alissa Pili

The state of Alaska has never had it so good in the Pac-12 Conference before the arrival of Ruthy Hebard of Fairbanks and Alissa Pili of Anchorage.

Now we're spoiled.

The two Alaskans dominated Pac-12 play and were among the 15 women's basketball players from the league named to the All-Pac-12 Team.

Schumacher becomes first American skier to win World Juniors

March 3, 2020

Gus Schumacher

Anchorage's Gus Schumacher wiped away decades of frustration for the US Ski Team by becoming the first American male to win World Juniors.

He used a killer kick over the final two kilometers to come from behind and snag the gold medal in the 10-K classic race in Germany by 4.5 seconds.

Schumacher's gold at the U20 international competition is the first medal ever by an American male at World Juniors. Bill Koch earned a bronze in 1974 at the European Junior Championships before there was an official youth world championship race.

RIT hockey has its mojo working when Moretz is on the ice

March 2, 2020

Caleb Moretz

There's no doubt the Rochester Institute of Technology hockey team has its mojo working when Caleb Moretz of Fairbanks is on the ice.

The Tigers are 14-4-1 when Moretz records a point.

And 5-9-3 when he doesn't.

Moretz looks to keep things rolling for RIT in the upcoming Atlantic East Tournament, his first taste of the college playoff experience.

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The Alaska Sports Blog is hosted by the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame and written by Van Williams, formerAnchorage Daily News sports editor. The goal of the blog is to bring positive attention to Alaskans making good in sports on the international, national and local levels and to provide a forum for public discussion.

We always welcome your input and story ideas!

Thanks,

Harlow

Harlow Robinson

Executive Director

Alaska Sports Hall of Fame

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