by Greg Lincoln
Congratulations to the Lower Kuskokwim School District (LKSD) All Star NYO team and their coaches for winning the 2024 State NYO Championship, the state NYO title has come back home to the YK Delta. Your athletes competed in 11 individual events. Points are given to each place winner: 1st is 5, 2nd gets 4 points, 3rd is 3 pts., 4th is 2, and 5th earns 1 point.
On Day 1 the events were the Toe Kick, Wrist Carry, and the Alaskan High Kick.
Bethel senior Jordan Klejka hit 54” and won the girls Toe Kick. Lower Kuskokwim’s Shawna Paul of Kipnuk took second with her distance of 50”. Newtok’s Nevaeh George representing Mt. Edgecumbe High School placed third. Billy Nicholai of Bethel placed second in the boys Toe Kick with his kick of 78”. Franz Fermoyle of Mt. Edgecumbe placed third at 72”.
For the Wrist Carry, Aidan Crow of Bethel took 4th with a distance of 376’ 2”. His carriers were his teammates Nicholas Twito and Keith Wassillie. LKSD’s Robert Jimmie of Chefornak took 5th, his carriers were Ashton White of Tuntutuliak and Carson John of Kwigillingok.
Alaskan High Kickers Katya Carl of Kwigillingok representing LKSD placed 3rd with her kick of 70’. Matthew Chagluak of Anchorage A team placed first at 92”. Quinhagak’s Daylon Brown took 2nd with his kick of 88”.
On Day 2, the action did not stop. Tuntutuliak’s Ashton White placed fourth for LKSD in the Scissor Broad Jump with his jump of 34’ 4”. LKSD’s Chloe Wassillie of Akiuk placed 2nd in the One-Hand Reach at the dizzying height of 60”. Yupiit School District’s Ava Howard placed 4th at 56”. Kipnuk Falcon Andrew Paul won the silver medal, he hit 65”. Matthew Chagluak of Anch A placed 4th at 64”.
In the Two-Foot High Kick, Bethel Lady Warrior Jordan Klejka won her second gold medal, reaching a height of 74”. Chagluak of Anch A took silver with his height of 88”. LKSD’s Evon Phillip of Kwigillingok placed 5th overall at 83”.
The final day featured the Kneel Jump, Indian Stick Pull, the One-Foot High Kick, and the grueling Seal Hop.
Chefornak’s Nikki Erik of LKSD placed 4th, her best jump was 42”. James Brink, also of LKSD, representing Kwigillingok also placed 4th, going a distance of 58”. LKSD Indian Stick Pullers brought home both gold medals in the boys and girls divisions. Johnelle Smith of Tuntutuliak for the girls and Brandon Lee of Kwethluk.
LKSD’s Ashton White of Tunt connected with the sealskin ball at the stratospheric height of 106” in the One-Foot High Kick, he placed 2nd. Bethel’s Jordan Klejka also won a medal, kicking 82” for 5th.
The grand finale event was the Seal Hop. Hoppers took their turns in groups of seven after waiting in the hallway, mentally preparing. Kipnuk’s Devon Mann won the gold medal successfully defending his title with his stunning hop of 145’ 1/2”, besting his nearest competitor by over 40 feet.
This concluded the games competition. Good job, well done everyone!
The best overall NYO athletes in Alaska come from the southwest Alaska region of the Yukon Kuskokwim delta year after year. We are so proud of our student athletes who worked hard to keep up their grades and practiced their hearts out and to the coaches for their dedication. This region has produced excellence for decades after decades pumping out champion after champion and record holders and generations and generations of strong athletes. Good job, keep it up.
Congratulations to the Mount Edgecumbe Braves of Sitka for being awarded the Sportsmanship Trophy.
If you would like to continue participating in native games this summer, the World Eskimo Indian Olympics is open to all native Olympians ages 12 and over in Fairbanks this coming July.
2024 NYO SENIOR GAMES RESULTS & AWARDS
Toe Kick
GIRLS
1 Jordan Klejka, Bethel, 54”
2 Shawna Paul, LKSD, 50” 2m
3 Nevaeh George, MEHS, 50”
4 Abigail Semaken, Salamatof, 46”
5 MyricaGale Meierotto, Interior A, 42”
BOYS
1 Sean Moonin, Nanwalek, 80”
2 Billy Nicholai, Bethel, 78”
3 Franz Fermoyle, MEHS, 72” 2m
4 Richard Strick, Knik Tribal, 72” 7m
5 Jose V., Anchorage B, 68” 4m/60”
Wrist Carry
GIRLS
1 Eulalia Roman, Mat-Su B, 370’ 6 ½”
Carriers: Myles Campbell, Mat-Su B; Bruce Sommerville, Mat-Su A
2 Kamryn Petito, Mat-Su A, 361’ 9”
Carriers: Myles Campbell, Mat-Su B; Bruce Sommerville, Mat-Su A
3 Grace Higgins, Eyak, 280’ 6”
Carriers: Colby Carter, Eyak; Tegan Hesse, Eyak
4 Jaida Downey, Curyung, 193’1”
Carriers: Tristan Tilden, Curyung; Graelin Chaney, Curyung
5 Laura Butler, Nikiski, 177’ 10 ½”
Carriers: Elmo Henry Anchorage A; Leif Richards, Juneau
BOYS
1 Luois Amora, Unalaska, 472’
Carriers: Kaidon Parker, Unalaska; Nicholas Kitsyuk, Unalaska
2 Bryson Andrew, SWRSD, 412’ 4”
Carriers: Graelin Chaney, Curyung; Tristan Tilden, Curyung
3 Ethan Ederango, NWABSD, 405’ 8”
Carriers: Tyler Kramer, NWABSD; Enoch Swan, NWABSD
4 Aidan Crow, Bethel, 376’2”
Carriers: Nicholas Twito, Bethel; Keith Wassilie, Bethel
5 Robert Jimmy II, LKSD, 356’ 4¾”
Carriers: Ashton White, LKSD; Carson John, LKSD
Alaskan High Kick
GIRLS
1 Caelyn Carter, Mat-Su A, 74’’
2 Ourea Busk, BSSD A 70’’ 0m
3 Katya Carl, LKSD, 70’’ 1m
4 Tahira Akaran, MEHS, 70’’ 3m
5 Anastasha Wilde, Anchorage B, 68’’ 0m
BOYS
1 Matthew Chagluak, Anchorage A, 92’’
2 Daylon Brown, LKSD, 88’’
3 4Daniel Rodgers, Chickaloon, 84;;
4 Ashton Meganack, Port Graham, 79’’
5 Samuel Mecham, Anchorage B, 78’’
Scissor Broad Jump
GIRLS
1 Caelynn Carter, Mat-Su A, 29’ 8”
2 Ourea Busk, BSSDA, 28’4”
3 Tessa Anderson, MEHS, 28’2”
4 Molly Evans, Homer, 28’ 1 ½”
5 Anastasha Wilde, Anchorage A, 26’ 3 1/2”
BOYS
1 Devin Cooper-Jackson, Interior A, 34’ 11”
2 Kaidon Parker, Unalaska, 34’ 7 ¼”
3 Myles Campbell, Mat-Su B, 34’ 6”
4 Ashton White, LKSD 34’ 4”
5 Bruce Sommerville, Mat-Su A, 34’ 4”
Eskimo Stick Pull
GIRLS
1 Salvation Simi, Anchorage A
2 Bay Rose Kauffman, Mat-Su A
3 Arianna O’Domin, BBBSD
4 Zadah Unutoa, Utqiagvik
5 Taylor Tiedeman, Eyak
BOYS
1 Donovan Stephan-Standifer, MEHS
2 Jubal Parry, Chenega
3 Muhammad Watson, Anchorage A
4 Wyatt Ahmasuk, Nome
5 Atticus Prince, Anchorage B
One-hand Reach
GIRLS
1 Kylirose Paniptchuk, BSSD A, 60”2m
2 Chloe Wassillie, LKSD, 60” 3m
3 Autumn Nanouk, BSSD B, 58”
4 Ava Howard, Yupiit, 56”
5 Kierra Egrass, McGrath, 56” 2m
BOYS
1 Anatoly Fomin, Unalaska, 66”
2 Andrew Paul, LKSD, 65”
3 Graelin Chaney, Curyung, 64”
4 Matthew Chugluak, Anchorage A, 64” 1m
5 Davin Malzahn, Interior A, 64” 3m
Two-foot High Kick
GIRLS
1 Jordan Klejka, Bethel, 74”
2 Tessa Anderson, MEHS, 72” 1m
3 Daisy VanBlarcom, Mat-Su A, 72” 2m
4 Caelynn Carter, Mat-Su B, 70”
5 Charity Gordon, Homer, 66” 1m/62”
BOYS
1 Myles Campbell, Mat-Su A, 88” 1m
2 Matthew Chugluak, Anchorage A, 88” 4m
3 Victor Ongtowasruk, BSSD B, 86”
4 Cody Aningayou, BSSD B, 83” 2m
5 TIE: Evon Phillip, LKSD
Elmo Henry, Anchorage B, 83” 3m
Kneel Jump
GIRLS
1 Caelynn Carter, Mat-Su A, 45 ¼”
2 Anastasha Wilde, Anchorage A, 43”
3 Maya Boger, Chickaloon, 42”
4 Nikki Erik, LKSD, 42”
5 Tahira Akaran, MEHS, 40 1/2”
BOYS
1 Damien Nukusuk, Anchorage A, 60 ¼”
2 Nick Luois Amora, Unalaska, 59 ¾”
3 Shane Moonin, Port Graham, 59 ¼”
4 James Brink, LKSD, 58”
5 Davin Malzahn, Interior A, 57 ¾”
Indian Stick Pull
GIRLS
1 Johnelle Smith, LKSD
2 Clara Tukrook-Lampe, Anchorage A
3 Trinity Vlasoff, Tatitlek
4 Charity Gordon, Homer
5 Samantha Sample, Mat-Su A
BOYS
1 Brandon Lee, LKSD
2 Aaron San Luis, Unalaska
3 Sean Moonin, Nanwalek
4 Lewis Singley, BBBSD
5 Josiah Gordon, Homer
One-foot High Kick
GIRLS
1 Tessa Anderson, MEHS, 88m 1m
2 Isis Ivie, Interior A, 88” 2m
3 Mya Campbell, Mat-Su B, 88” 3m
4 Daisy VanBlarcom, Mat-Su A, 86”
5 Jordan Klejka, Bethel, 82”
BOYS
1 Elmo Henry, Anchorage A, 106”
2 Ashton White, LKSD, 106” 2m
3 Devin Cooper-Jackson, Interior A, 106” 4m
4 Donald Heflin, Anchorage B, 104” 1m
5 Leif Richards, Juneau, 104” 2m
Seal Hop
GIRLS
1 Tessa Anderson, MEHS, 142’ 11 ¼”
2 Eulalia Roman, Mat-Su B, 105’ 6 ¾”
3 TIE: Riley Boyscout, Bethel, 96’ 9”;
Hazell Vanderpool, Valdez, 96’ 9”
4 TIE: Caelyn Carter, Mat-Su A, 94”;
Alora Wassily, Curyung 94”
BOYS
1 Devon Mann, LKSD, 145’ ½”
2 Nick Luois Amora, Unalaska, 101’ 11 ½”
3 TIE: Myles Campbell, Mat-Su A, 94”;
Nazeliel Bunyan, LYSD, 94”
5 Ryan G., Anchorage B, 84’ 10 ¼”
Excellence Awards
High Five Academic Excellence Awards
Team of 7 or less: Lake and Peninsula School, 3.45 cumulative GPA
Team of 8 or more: Harold Kaveolook School, 3.61 cumulative GPA
The NYO Academic Scholarship
Tessa Anderson, Sitka
Andrew Jackson, Sand Point
NYO Continuing Education Native Games Scholarship
Parker Kenick, Nome
Melvin Pavala
Leah Evans, Homer
Jade Wren, Anchorage
Ben Snowball Individual Sportsmanship Awards (voted by officials and coaches)
Male: Matthew Chagluak, Anchorage A
Female: Daisy VanBlarcom, Mat-Su A
Ben Snowball Team Sportsmanship Award
Mt. Edgecumbe High School
Healthy Coach (voted on by officials and coaches)
Margo Livermore, Mt. Edgecumbe High School
Best Team Banner
Anchorage A & B teams
Louise Leonard Healthy Athlete Award
Miley Kakaruk, Anchorage
NYO Art Theme Contest
Docyden Su’a-te’o, sixth grader from College Gate Elementary, Anchorage
Autumn Apok Ridley Overall Athlete Awards
Male: Luois Amora, Unalaska
Female: Caelyn Carter, Mat Su A
Overall Teams
1 Lower Kuskokwim School District, 46
2 Mat-Su A, 42
3 Anchorage A, 38
4 Mt. Edgecumbe, 31
5 Unalaska, 26
Thank you to the Cook Inlet Tribal Consortium for hosting the games and to all the officials, volunteers, and judges for making this event possible.
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