Sports

Loss of middle school sports will affect thousands of Anchorage students

A crowd of athletes and spectators fill the stands as sprinters compete during a Wendler, Begich and Mirror Lake middle school track meet at The Dome on April 3, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN) Verona Williams spotted her daughter’s bright shoes in the distance and rose to her feet in the stands. “Let’s go Analina! […]

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1 month ago

April 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Loss of middle school sports will affect thousands of Anchorage students

A crowd of athletes and spectators fill the stands as sprinters compete during a Wendler, Begich and Mirror Lake middle school track meet at The Dome on April 3, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Verona Williams spotted her daughter’s bright shoes in the distance and rose to her feet in the stands.

“Let’s go Analina! Let’s go baby!” she yelled. “Let’s go, let’s go!”

Her daughter, eighth grader Analina Henderson, cruised toward the finish line. Moments later, Henderson jogged over to the stands, where she received some words of encouragement and a congratulatory hug from her mom before joining her teammates on the Begich Middle School track and field team.

That scene, which took place earlier this month at The Dome in Anchorage, will likely be playing out differently next year. In late February, the Anchorage School Board passed a budget that eliminated middle school sports, part of a $43 million cut that also included hundreds of teaching and staff positions, a gifted program and some high school sports.

While many extracurricular options still exist outside school for kids, the loss of middle school sports will leave a significant void, according to parents, coaches and educators.

The programs are undeniably popular among kids as well. According to the Anchorage School District, there were 5,345 total participants among boys and girls in 10 sports and activities in the 2023-24 school year.

Romig Middle School cross-country skiers gather for a photo at the start of a district-wide event at Kincaid Park in February. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Analina Henderson participates in multiple sports at Begich but is also involved in sports outside of school. Williams said not all families can take on the increased costs that accompany those activities.

“My daughter is in sports outside school as well, but it’s expensive,” she said. “A lot of people can’t afford to do sports outside of school.”

About 74% of the school’s 800-plus students are “economically disadvantaged” and qualify for free or reduced cost meals under federal poverty guidelines, according to the district’s enrollment data.

Those students can also get an activity fee waiver — meaning they can participate in middle school sports for free.

[Anchorage School District ‘displacements’ could shutter or shrink 5 high school choir programs]

Joey Caterinichio is a longtime Anchorage coach and the parent of a middle school student. She said giving students a place to be and something constructive to do when they get out of school is a health issue, and a potential safety one as well.

A Begich Middle School athlete competes in the 100-meter hurdles during a track meet at The Dome. (Marc Lester / ADN)

“They’re not going to go home and getting in trouble or being on video games, they’re going to be participating in something healthy,” Caterinichio said. “We have a large obesity problem especially in Alaska because of our weather, and teaching kids good life skills and healthy exercise will prevent health problems as well.”

The sports programs offer a unique opportunity for children to try out different physical activities, to learn the rules and how to play as a team in a relatively low-stakes environment, according to assistant principal Laura Carter.

“Middle school is really just this, like, open opportunity for anybody to come and play,” Carter said. “We don’t do cuts.”

Once students move on to high school, they’re a lot less likely to try something new, Carter said, adding that that’s especially true for girls.

Begich teacher and track and cross country coach Hannah Souders found running in middle school and said it “guided my future” through college, where she competed at University of Portland.

“It’s just always been a part of my life since I started it in middle school and just fell in love with it and was also able to make a lot of friends there as a pretty shy kid in middle school,” she said.

Coach Hannah Souders organizes Begich Middle School athletes during a track meet. (Marc Lester / ADN)

That has also been the case for seventh grader Jeremiah Lewis, who plays basketball and is on the track team at Wendler Middle School. He also participates in sports through YMCA, but his mom, Talisa Lewis, said playing sports at Wendler has aided Jeremiah’s development.

“It’s been great,” she said. “He’s been a quiet kid, and since being in sports with his friends, he’s happy and social. He’s finding out who he is.”

Participation in after-school sports can also be a “carrot” for teaching better behavior in the classroom or a motivator for improved success in classes.

Clark Middle School teacher and wrestling coach Rachel Arvelo recalled a particular student who seemed disinterested and was averaging less than 50% on her assignments. The student found out her lackluster performance in the classroom would prevent her from being able to step on the wrestling mat, and her focus on her studies quickly improved.

“When she realized that she wasn’t going to be able to wrestle, within three weeks, she brought all her grades up to passing,” Arvelo said. “She’s motivated to get good grades now because she wants to compete.”

That opportunity to participate in sports also instilled a sense of accountability in the student.

“Having sports there, she was able to now change as a sixth grader and understand that ‘If this is where I want to go in life, I need to work on my grades,’ and that is something that is so powerful,” Arvelo said.

Some middle school students ski in costumes during a district-wide ski event in February. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Souder said sports also teach students how to overcome obstacles and can give a very clear indicator to participants when hard work has paid off.

“Realizing that you might not be good at it at first, and that with a lot of perseverance and effort, that you might really grow at it I think is an important takeaway too,” she said. “Especially in middle school, where it’s going to get more challenging and you’ve just got to stick with it and you’ll get better and better even when it’s hard.”

The same is true for traits like leadership and working with others that students develop through sports.

Amanda Juliussen’s twin daughter Jake and son Jack are students at Mirror Lake in their first year on the track team.

“I think lots of skills come from sports, not just being physically active too, being part of the team,” she said.

Among the most popular sports at the middle school level are volleyball with 1,111 participants, track and field with 1,067 (531 girls, 536 boys), basketball with 975 (324 girls, 651 boys) and cross country running with 852 (456 girls, 396 boys).

Alaska’s per-student funding formula for public schools hasn’t significantly increased in nearly a decade and has been far outpaced by inflation.

The Anchorage School District has faced down large budget deficits over the last several years. But it largely avoided major cuts to student programs by patching the budget with pandemic relief funds and spending down its rainy-day savings account. Last year, a one-time funding increase from the Legislature helped the district avoid massive cuts.

“There’s always this sense that, like, maybe things are not for real, and that they’ll change,” Carter said of the budget cuts to sports. “I would say, I don’t know that our students fully have grasped that this might not be an opportunity, and as it’s slated right now, this won’t be an opportunity for them next year.”

Club sports would be an alternative for many students if middle school sports are eliminated. But clubs are just as expensive to form and operate, and are often heavily volunteer-based when it comes to coaching.

Wendler Middle School athletes get stretched out at the start of the meet. (Marc Lester / ADN)

For her other students at Clark who can’t afford to participate in club wrestling but show interest, Arvelo is constantly reaching out and inquiring about scholarships to cover the cost of their $200 club fee, singlets, wrestling shoes and tournament entry fees.

“Everything adds up, and this is just wrestling alone,” Arvelo said. “The kids that are in the low-income communities, we’re giving them another obstacle to figure out.”

[Anchorage’s school language immersion programs — among the nation’s most robust for a city its size — are at risk]

Earlier this month in Juneau, the Alaska Senate Education Committee advanced a school funding bill with a $1,000 increase to the per-student funding formula.

The Anchorage School Board has committed to reversing cuts to sports and other student programs if the state approves the increase.

However, with the state facing its own budget deficit, many in the Legislature see the proposed education increase as unaffordable. Even if it passes, Gov. Mike Dunleavy could exercise his veto power as he did last year over a former bipartisan education package.

Although financial hurdles are a near certainty, the kids who participate in sports across Anchorage middle schools are generally optimistic they can continue.

At Begich, Jeremiah Lewis said he’s made new friends in sports and enjoys supporting his teammates.

“I like to be active,” he said. “I like the unpredictability of sports. You don’t know what you’re going to get.”

Arvelo’s daughter Esabella Arvelo is a seventh grader at Gruening Middle School in Eagle River. While she wrestles in a club, she plays volleyball at school and said it’s been valuable to her development.

“For me, middle school sports are more than just sports; it’s an opportunity to learn and grow from one another,” Esabella said in a written statement. “I’ve learned how to work and be on a team, how to have trust in each other, to lead, to follow and to work together.”

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Men’s track and field sets team relay record again on last day at regionals

Story Links WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The Hamilton College Continentals broke the men’s team record in the 4×800-meter relay in the 2025 All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference Outdoor Championships at Williams College’s Lee Track at Williamson Field on Thursday, May 15. Hamilton set the record in the event […]

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3 minutes ago

May 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The Hamilton College Continentals broke the men’s team record in the 4×800-meter relay in the 2025 All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference Outdoor Championships at Williams College’s Lee Track at Williamson Field on Thursday, May 15.

Hamilton set the record in the event for the second time in less than three weeks with the same foursome. Ellis Goodson ’27, Brady Armstrong ’28, Jack Quinn ’27 and Joseph Simeone ’26 finished in second place with a time of 7:51.08, which was 32 one-hundredths of a second faster than the time they posted in the NESCAC championships at Wesleyan University on April 26.

The relay, which was the last track event of the meet, was interrupted by a lengthy lightning delay that stopped the race as runners were finishing the first leg. Goodson essentially had to run 800 meters twice.

The Continentals collected eight team points for the relay’s finish and ended up with 10 points for the two-day championships. Susquehanna University captured the team title with 72.

HAMILTON PERFORMANCES

4×800-meter relay (11 teams)

2. Ellis Goodson ’27, Brady Armstrong ’28, Jack Quinn ’27, Joseph Simeone ’26 (7:51.08, SR)

800-meter run (35 runners)

22. Hugh Williams ’26, 1:56.21

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Sports

Hannah Work named head coach of Stuttgart’s inaugural volleyball program; information meeting planned for Monday evening

Work earned American Midwest All-Conference honors three times as well as being named the 2021 AMC Freshman of the year. On Tuesday night, Stuttgart hired Hannah Work to lead the school’s first-year volleyball program. Work has been part of the faculty at Meekins Middle School in Stuttgart since January, where she teaches 5th-grade English. She […]

Published

4 minutes ago

May 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Work earned American Midwest All-Conference honors three times as well as being named the 2021 AMC Freshman of the year.

On Tuesday night, Stuttgart hired Hannah Work to lead the school’s first-year volleyball program. Work has been part of the faculty at Meekins Middle School in Stuttgart since January, where she teaches 5th-grade English.

She graduated from Central Baptist College (CBC) in December 2024 with a degree in Secondary Education, emphasizing English/Language Arts. While at CBC, Work played softball for the Mustangs, earning 2021 AMC Freshman of the Year honors and recognition as a First, Second, and Third Team All-Conference performer. She also made the All-Academic All-Conference team three times and was named to the 2024 AMC All-Tournament team.

Although softball is her first love, volleyball has also played a significant role in Work’s life. She grew up in Bryant, Arkansas, graduating in 2020.

“I played volleyball all through elementary school and into early high school,” said Work. “But at Bryant, since it’s such a big school, you kind of have to choose. So I chose softball.”

Still, volleyball runs deep in her family—her sister is currently a member of the Central Baptist College volleyball team.

“Volleyball has always been a part of my life,” Work said. “I love the sport.”

When she moved to Stuttgart in the middle of the 2024–2025 school year, Work was surprised by how quickly she grew to love the community.

“I would have never thought I would come to Stuttgart while in college,” she said. “But I really love the people here, and I’ve grown to love the town.”

Starting a sports program from scratch is no small task, but Work is eager to begin shaping Stuttgart’s fledgling volleyball team.

“I’m excited for this opportunity,” she said. “Why not? Sure, it’s a little scary being 22 years old and starting a program, but I’m ready to get to it.”

Work with Logan Prince and Trevon Johnson during the 2025 softball season.

Work is already familiar with Stuttgart athletics after helping Logan Prince and Trevon Johnson coach the 2025 Lady Ricebird softball team—a role she said was very rewarding.

“It’s different being on the sideline after playing all those years,” said Work. “I love those girls, and I hope to coach some of them in volleyball.”

Volleyball information meeting set for May 19 at 5:30 p.m.

Work encourages any student or parent interested in Stuttgart’s volleyball program to attend an upcoming informational meeting scheduled for Monday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m. inside Ricebird Arena.

Athletic Director Josh Price and Coach Work will be present to share the vision for the program and answer questions about what comes next.

When asked about potential tryouts, Work said the decision would depend on student interest.

“Right now, we don’t know. It will depend on how much interest there is,” she said. “I just hope girls will consider it. Like any sport, it’s an outlet to go and get away. Aside from playing, all sports offer the chance to learn teamwork and leadership.”

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Sports

Two U.S. Pairs Ready for 2025 Beach U23 NORCECA Continental Tour

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (May 16, 2025) — Two U.S. beach pairs hit the sand in the Dominican Republic next week for the 2025 Beach Volleyball U23 NORCECA Continental Tour in Juan Dolio, May 23-25. Emma Donley and Portia Sherman are competing on the women’s side, with Gage Basey and Thomas Hurst on the men’s side. […]

Published

9 minutes ago

May 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (May 16, 2025) — Two U.S. beach pairs hit the sand in the Dominican Republic next week for the 2025 Beach Volleyball U23 NORCECA Continental Tour in Juan Dolio, May 23-25.

Emma Donley and Portia Sherman are competing on the women’s side, with Gage Basey and Thomas Hurst on the men’s side. Last year on the U23 NORCECA Continental Tour, Ayden Keeter and Carson Barnes won gold for the men, and Isabella Martinez and Ella Connor won gold for the men.

Basey/Hurst are currently competing at the 2025 World University Games Trials in Manhattan Beach and are members of the A2 Beach National Team as well. Last year, as part of the 2024 Beach Collegiate National Team, they finished tied for ninth at the World University Championship.

“Ever since I started playing and watching volleyball, I always looked up to those who wore the USA jersey,” Hurst said. “Representing your country is the highest honor we can have as athletes, so to be able to compete in the Dominican Republic means the world to me. Gage and I are spending time in California together to practice against the best teams in the country before heading off. We have a fantastic coaching staff and group traveling with us, and I am very excited to get back out on the sand in international competition.”

Donley was a member of the 2024 Beach U23 National Team, and she and Sherman are teammates for the California Golden Bears beach team.

“There is no greater honor than to have the opportunity to represent my country,” Donley said.” I’m very proud to compete as a pair and add this experience to my athletic resume.”

Cal assistant beach coach Dancer Styles will lead Donley/Sherman on the sand, and Beach Nation’s Mark Fishman will coach Basey/Hurst. Sam Schaff of the San Diego Mojo is the athlete trainer, and Beach NTDP Lead Judit Kolada is the team leader.

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Sports

Women’s track and field ties for seventh place at regional championships

Story Links WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The Hamilton College Continentals finished in a tie for seventh place out of more than 50 teams in the women’s team standings in the 2025 All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference Outdoor Championships at Williams College’s Lee Track at Williamson Field on Thursday, May […]

Published

24 minutes ago

May 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The Hamilton College Continentals finished in a tie for seventh place out of more than 50 teams in the women’s team standings in the 2025 All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference Outdoor Championships at Williams College’s Lee Track at Williamson Field on Thursday, May 15.

Hamilton and host Williams ended up with 39 points apiece for the two-day championships. SUNY Geneseo captured the team title with 88.

The Continentals added to their point total by taking third place in the 4×800-meter relay. Emily Pogozelski ’26, who was a member of the relay, posted a personal-record time of 4:42.15 and finished ninth in the 1,500-meter run.

The NCAA Division III championships selections are expected to be announced sometime in the evening on Friday, May 16. Keira Rogan ’28 has the third-fastest time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase across Division III this spring.

HAMILTON PERFORMANCES

800-meter run (28 runners)

12. Kate Scibelli ’26, 2:18.39

1,500-meter run (30 runners)

9. Emily Pogozelski ’26, 4:42.15 (PR)

400-meter hurdles (28 runners)

11. Olivia Waruch ’28, 1:05.51

4×800-meter relay (14 teams)

3. Pogozelski, Scibelli, Keira Rogan ’28, Sylvie Najarian ’25 (9:26.67)

Triple Jump (18 athletes)

11. Emmeline Stoetzel ’28, 11.01 meters (36 feet, 1.5 inches)

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Sports

Volleyball’s Martin Earns Two LSU Degrees – LSU

BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU volleyball’s Madison Martin will graduate Summa Cum Laude as a double major at LSU. Martin will receive bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences and Spanish. She will attend medical school in the fall of 2025. Martin is the 2024-25 Brad Davis SEC Community Service Leader of the Year, making her […]

Published

25 minutes ago

May 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU volleyball’s Madison Martin will graduate Summa Cum Laude as a double major at LSU.

Martin will receive bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences and Spanish. She will attend medical school in the fall of 2025.

Martin is the 2024-25 Brad Davis SEC Community Service Leader of the Year, making her the first LSU women’s student-athlete to receive this honor. She is also a two-time SEC Volleyball Community Service Team selection and a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection.

Martin, a four-year letterwinner, appeared in 50 sets over 20 matches and has four aces and 13 digs. She was a team captain for the program and part of the 2022 team that reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017 and won an NCAA Tournament match for the first time since 2014.

For the latest news and information on Tiger volleyball, visit www.lsusports.net/volleyball. Fans can follow the team on its social media outlets, such as www.facebook.com/lsuvolleyball and @lsuvolleyballas, as well as on Instagram and X.

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Neuqua Valley squeaks by Hinsdale Central to advance to boys water polo sectional semifinals

We have a playoff thriller at Naperville North High School as Neuqua Valley and Hinsdale Central clash in the quarterfinals of the boys water polo sectionals. Neuqua head coach Chad Ganden recently earned win number 250 as a water polo head coach. There’s no time to waste, so let’s get right into the battlefield. This […]

Published

36 minutes ago

May 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Declan Pucaz strikes early for Neuqua

Neuqua Valley is up 1-0 and now they’re up 2-0 as Declan Pucaz scores following the dry pass.

3-0 Wildcats, but the Red Devils get on the board with a goal from Jack Driscoll.

Each team keeps trading goals, and it’s Driscoll tallying another one for Hinsdale Central to tie the game at 4.

Here comes Neuqua Valley and Pucaz, who makes his unstoppable presence felt by adding another goal as he scores five in the contest.

Don’t forget Mario Valente. He gets the pass and just puts in for the goal, and the senior also tallies five goals as the Wildcats grow their lead to 8-5.

Hinsdale climbs back in it

Hinsdale Central is not going down without a fight. Bogden Ivkovic targets the left side of the net to make it a two-goal game.

Jack Driscoll leads the Red Devils with four goals, including two in the fourth quarter to keep things tight trailing 10-8.

However, the Wildcats keep their foot on the gas. As they work the ball around, Valente seizes an opportunity, finding the back of the net.

Neuqua Valley holds on and moves on in the boys water polo sectional

Late in the game, Alex Melone lasers in the knockout punch to secure a 12-10 win for Neuqua Valley. The Wildcats are moving on to the sectional semifinals, where they’ll face top-seeded Naperville North.

For more prep sports highlights, visit the Naperville Sports Weekly page.

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