Alaska
6 Alaska high school track and field athletes to watch, plus top Big C Relays performances
The Anchorage Daily News caught up with some of the top track and field athletes from around the state at the annual Big C Relays. The list includes a sprinter who likes to play disc golf, a pair of Spider-Man fans, a reigning state champ who can’t get enough Macklemore, and three elite athletes whose biggest influences have been their older brothers. There were also several notable performances by perennial contenders and up-and-coming talent alike.
Here’s an introduction to six track and field athletes and the top performers from the Big C Relays.
Tyce Escott, Soldotna
The Soldotna senior sprinter was the Division I boys state runner-up in the 100 meters in 2025 by 0.01 seconds, and is the reigning state champ in the 200 meters. At the Big C Relays, he competed in the 100 and finished second in the prelims with mark of 11.34 seconds, then finished fourth in the semifinals in a time of 11.37 seconds. Escott helped the Stars Mixed Swedish Medley Relay team come in first place with a time of 2:09.55.
How did you get started in track and field? “I kind of just grew up running and decided to try it as a sport when I got to middle school, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
What is your favorite hype music genre, song or artist before an event? “I don’t usually listen to music. I’m just in my own head and do what I want to do.”
What is the best movie or series you’ve watched in the past year? “Spider-Man Homecoming.”
Favorite fictional character of all time: “Spider-Man.”
Spider-Man follow-up: Favorite Spider-Man live action actor? “I like the Tom Holland ones the best, but I like Andrew Garfield too.”
Who is the most influential or inspirational person in your life? “I look up to my older brother. He didn’t do track but he always did sports and he was known for being fast. He did football and soccer.”
Goals for this season: “I’m hoping to come back and try to get first (at state in the 100 meters), try to improve as much as I can and do the best to my ability. My goals are to hopefully win state, beat my (personal records) and just do as best as I can.”
What is your favorite non-sports leisure activity? “I play disc golf sometimes. There’s probably three or four (courses) down in Soldotna.”
Anna Green, South
The South Anchorage senior sprinter is the reigning Division I girls state champion in the 200 meters, and she also finished third in the 100 and fourth in the 400 last year at state. At the Big C Relays, she competed in the 100 meters and clocked the top times in the prelims (12.81 seconds) and the semifinals (12.86 seconds). In the finals, she came in third place with a time of 12.83 seconds and also helped the Wolverines finish third in the girls Swedish Medley Relay 1600-meter race with a mark of 4:37.22.
How did you get started in track and field? “My middle school health teacher. I was originally a hurdler and she transitioned me to a sprinter, and I’ve stuck with it ever since.”
What is your favorite hype music genre, song or artist before an event? “Macklemore! Before every race, I listen to him.”
What is the best movie or series you’ve watched in the past year? “‘Prison Break.’ It was just thrilling.”
Favorite fictional character of all time: “Donald Duck. He’s always been my favorite since childhood.”
Who is the most influential or inspirational person in your life? “My dad. He grew up in Australia and ran (track) and played soccer. I played soccer my entire life, and I’m going to run track in college, and he was a big part of that.”
Goals for this season: “I want to (record personal bests), break another school record after I broke the 400 last year and I want to try to defend my 200-meter state title.”
What is your favorite non-sports leisure activity? “Watching movies and hanging out around my house with friends.”
Benjamin Hiestand, Chugiak
The Chugiak junior thrower is the Division I boys state champion in discus and came in fourth in the shot put at state last year. At the Big C Relays, he competed in the shot put and discus, setting a new personal best in the shot with a first-place mark of 50 feet, 3.25 inches Friday. He came back on Saturday and recorded the top mark in the discus as well, 161 feet, 1 inch.
How did you get started in track and field? “My brother (Edward). I always followed what he did when I was younger so in the third grade, I did sprints because I was just following him and then he transitioned to throws, so that’s what started getting me into throws too.”
What is your favorite hype music genre, song or artist before an event? “I usually do no music so I can stay locked in and just focus.”
What is the best movie or series you’ve watched in the past year? “My favorite show is ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ and for movie series it’s ‘Ip Man’ for the martial arts and John Wick.”
Favorite fictional character of all time: “Zuko from ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender.’ I just like his story of how he kind of redeemed himself at the end. He showed a lot of growth.”
Who is the most influential or inspirational person in your life? “My brother. He taught me a lot and I was really thankful to have him growing up as an example.”
Goals for this season: “This season, I’ve been seeing massive breakthroughs in both shotput and discus and I’m ready to really see what I can do. … Last year I kind of ran into a slump in shot put and I didn’t really improve at all from freshman year, but this year I’ve been really hammering down on the rotational form and I’ve been seeing breakthroughs in that, and I’m really starting to feel comfortable with the rotational form.”
What is your favorite non-sports leisure activity? “Just exploring and driving around and playing video games.”
Bella Connally, Juneau-Douglas
The Juneau-Douglas sophomore sprinter is the reigning Division I girls state champion in the 100 meters and came in fifth in the 200 meters. At the Big C Relays, she competed in the 100 meters, finishing fourth in the prelims with mark of 13.03 seconds, second in the semifinals in a time of 12.90 seconds and first in the finals in a time of 12.68 seconds. She earned the title of Fastest Alaskan on the girls side.
How did you get started in track and field? “My brother. He did track and field and I saw him running all the time and I was like, ‘Whoa, that looks really cool,’ and I thought I’d be good at that too.”
What is your favorite hype music genre, song or artist before an event? “I like to listen to Frank Ocean. I like to get in my feelings and stuff. I can’t do hype music.”
What is the best movie or series you’ve watched in the past year? “‘Modern Family’ and ‘The Office.’”
Favorite fictional character of all time: “I love ‘Spider-Man.’ The Tom Holland one is my favorite.”
Who is the most influential or inspirational person in your life? “My brother.”
Goals for this season: “I’d really like to run a (personal record), I’d like to qualify for Nike Nationals, to win state again. That’d be really cool.”
What is your favorite non-sports leisure activity? “I like to do ceramics. I have a class in my high school for it, so basically every day.”
Joshua Woko, Mountain City Christian Academy
The senior from Mountain City Christian Academy was Division II boys state runner-up in the triple jump in 2025 by about an inch, placed fifth in the long jump and was part of the state champion 4×400 relay team. At the Big C Relays, he competed in long jump and recorded the second-best mark with a new personal best of 20 feet, 8.75 inches on his first attempt, and he recorded the fifth-best mark in the high jump with 5 feet, 2 inches. He also helped the Lions Mixed Swedish Medley Relay team come in fifth place with a time of 2:19.50.
How did you get started in track and field? “I started my sophomore year. It was something I was kind of debating if I should do, but I was told, ‘Just try it out,’ and when I tried it out, I saw I was good at it and I decided to do it.”
What is your favorite hype music genre, song or artist before an event? “Rap music. Kendrick and Don Toliver.”
What is the best movie or series you’ve watched in the past year? “I’m into anime, so probably ‘Jujutsu Kaisen.’ I like the energy that each character has and the bosses they have to fight.”
Who is the most influential or inspirational person in your life? “Definitely my uncle. He’s my pastor and he’s also my spiritual leader, so he helps me with life struggles, shows me the right path to take, and he’s my counselor.”
Goals for this season: “I’m trying to make sure I do my best this year because I only have one last chance. … Try to (do well) in the 400 again and then get 43 (feet) for triple (jump) and at least 21 or 22 for long jump.”
What is your favorite non-sports leisure activity? “I love watching shows, and I also love to play games like chess, and I also draw a lot.”
Ailafo Fautanu, Dimond
The Dimond junior thrower was the Division I girls state runner-up in the shot put in 2025 and placed third in the discus. At the Big C Relays, she competed in the discus and produced the fourth-best mark at 99 feet, 6 inches, and came back on Saturday and recorded the third-best mark in the shot put with a mark of 33 feet, 9.25 inches.
How did you get started in track and field? “With volleyball being my main sport, I just thought, ‘Why not fill my free time with track and field?’ and it was really fun for me and I really liked the experience, so I just decided to keep going at it.”
What is your favorite hype music genre, song or artist before an event? “No, I’m just locked in.”
What is the best movie or series you’ve watched in the past year? “‘The Miracle Season.’ I just like how the girls had something to motivate them and push them through the season and win their state championship. It’s a volleyball movie.”
Favorite fictional character of all time: “SpongeBob.”
Who is the most influential or inspirational person in your life? “My mom. She’s been a really good role model for me, she’s a hard worker, takes time out of the day to support her kids, even when she’s busy.”
Goals for this season: “Hopefully win a state championship but first reach my goals of (setting a new personal record).”
What is your favorite non-sports leisure activity? “I like skiing and going hiking. I like to hike every once in a while to get in shape and stay in shape. I like to go on sunset drives to unwind from stressful weeks.”
Top performances
Nevaeh Watkins, a Dimond junior and reigning Division I girls 100-meter hurdles and high jump state champion, had quite the first day of action at the Big C Relays. She started by setting a new meet record for the high jump with a first-place mark of 5 feet, 2 inches, and followed it up by recording the fastest time in the 100-meter hurdle prelims and semifinals, which included a new personal best of 15.25 seconds in the semis.
Seward senior and reigning Division II boys state high jump champion Olin Liljemark was the only jumper to clear 6 feet in the event on Friday, which bested his title-winning mark of 5 feet, 10 inches from last year.
Mountain City Christian senior thrower Jieaya Siatini, who is the three-time Division II shot put state champion and reigning discus state champion, won the girls discus by a wide margin. Her mark of 128 feet, 4 inches was more than 23 feet farther than second-place finisher Mattelyn Elliott of Colony (105 feet). Siatini won the girls shot put as well with a mark of 39 feet, 10.75 inches. Runner-up Lilly Davidge, a Lathrop senior, recorded a mark of 33 feet, 11.5 inches.
Chugiak senior distance runner Hannah Shaha successfully defended her Big C title in the 3,200-meter race with a time of 11:53.92, which edged out Eagle River’s Ashlyn Paynter, who came in second at 11:56.32. Shaha, the 2023 Cross Country Gatorade Player of the Year, is also the reigning Division I girls state champion in the same event.
West Valley senior Cedar Robichaud outpaced Chugiak sophomore Frederick Millen III in the boys 100-meter finals with a first-place time of 11.26 seconds to earn the title of Fastest Alaskan.
The Chugiak quartet of Luke Poland, Ahmir Walker, Elijah Udall and Frederick Millen III set a new meet record in the boys 4×100 meter race with a first-place time of 43.44 seconds, besting the previous record of 43.74.
Big C Relays
Girls
100 Meters Varsity – Finals
1. Bella Connally 12.68, Juneau-Douglas
2. Sophia Jedlicki 12.77, Soldotna
3. Anna Green 12.83, South
4. Sienna Johnson 13.04, Chugiak
5. Farrah Gamechuk 13.18, Bartlett
6. Taylor Eddington 13.22, Tri-Valley
100 Meters Pentathlon – Finals
1. Iris Haas 13.04, Delta Junction
2. Caroline Klebs 13.69, Grace Christian
3. Katie Mackin 14.07, Bartlett
4. Kathryn DeBardelaben 14.17, Soldotna
5. Hannah Bodkin 14.21, Chugiak
6. Mari Ward 15.38, Holy Rosary Academy
200 Meters Varsity – Finals
1. Taylor Eddington 26.49, Tri-Valley
2. Farrah Gamechuk 26.92, Bartlett
3. Leila Petersen 27.17, Palmer
4. Shiloh Zichko 27.44, Soldotna
5. Annelise Larsen 27.53, Colony
6. Evonna Council 28.18, East
400 Meters Varsity – Finals
1. Kendall Barnett 1:00.07, West
2. Ellie Stull 1:00.52, Dimond
3. Leila Petersen 1:01.06, Palmer
4. Petra Knox 1:01.33, Chugiak
5. Olivia Sandoval 1:01.43, Chugiak
6. Tagan Rinner 1:01.64, Grace Christian
1 Mile Varsity – Finals
1. Kendall Barnett 5:09.70, West
2. Maddison Kukuk 5:26.60, Chugiak
3. Hannah Shaha 5:33.40, Chugiak
4. Kyra Walter 5:35.18, Chugiak
5. Fiona Selvik 5:35.79, Service
6. Ashlyn Paynter 5:40.80, Eagle River
3200 Meters Varsity – Finals
1. Hannah Shaha 11:53.92, Chugiak
2. Ashlyn Paynter 11:56.32, Eagle River
3. Maddison Kukuk 11:56.57, Chugiak
4. Kyra Walter 12:05.25, Chugiak
5. Rylee Ruggles 12:15.38, Chugiak
6. Myra Kalafut 13:05.23, Homer
100m Hurdles – 33″ / 0.838m Varsity – Finals
1. Nevaeh Watkins 15.14, Dimond
2. Emilia Zych 16.25, Service
3. Emma Mersdorf 17.21, Mountain City Christian Academy
4. Sienna Johnson 17.72, Chugiak
5. Jewel Gardner 17.79, Wasilla
6. Kelsey Momblow 18.12, Eagle River
300m Hurdles – 30″ / 0.762m Varsity – Finals
1. Taylor Eddington 46.44, Tri-Valley
2. Emilia Zych 47.74, Service
3. Katrina Baisa 50.70, Kodiak
4. Mia Bukala 51.41, Redington
5. Jewel Gardner 51.51, Wasilla
6. Vera Bates 51.52, Homer
300m Hurdles – 30″ / 0.762m Pentathlon – Finals
1. Iris Haas 49.26, Delta Junction
2. Hannah Bodkin 51.58, Chugiak
3. Kathryn DeBardelaben 52.34, Soldotna
4. Caroline Klebs 53.28, Grace Christian
5. Katie Mackin 53.45, Bartlett
6. Mari Ward 59.90a, Holy Rosary Academy
4×100 Relay Varsity – Finals
1. Tri-Valley 51.74
2. Soldotna 51.78
3. Dimond 52.00
4. South 53.15
5. Bartlett 53.64
6. Service 53.83
4×800 Relay Varsity – Finals
1. Chugiak 10:00.64
2. Soldotna 10:33.53
3. Grace Christian 10:58.86
4. Homer 11:03.64
5. Service 11:08.30
6. Su Valley 11:09.36
SMR 1600m – (200-200-400-800) Varsity – Finals
1. Dimond 4:19.43
2. Chugiak 4:30.85
3. South 4:37.22
4. Soldotna 4:39.24
5. Homer 4:47.17
6. Service 4:53.56
DMR 4000m – (1,200-400-800-1,600) Varsity – Finals
1. West 13:57.66
2. Soldotna 14:03.47
3. Service 14:21.92
4. Dimond 14:31.34
5. Su Valley 15:00.59
6. Wasilla 15:01.49
Shot Put – 4kg Pentathlon – Finals
1. Kathryn DeBardelaben 26′ 2″, Soldotna
2. Hannah Bodkin 25′ 9″, Chugiak
3. Iris Haas 22′ 11″, Delta Junction
4. Mari Ward 21′ 6″, Holy Rosary Academy
5. Katie Mackin 20′ 2″, Bartlett
6. Caroline Klebs 18′ 7″, Grace Christian
Shot Put – 4kg Varsity – Finals
1. Jieaya Siatini Williams 39′ 10.75″, Mountain City Christian Academy
2. Lilly Davidge 33′ 11.5″, Lathrop
3. Ailafo Fautanu 33′ 9.25″, Dimond
4. Emilee Anderson 33′ 7″, South
5. Loseli Ofiu 32′ 7.5″, West
6. Juliet Innes 32′ 4″, Soldotna
Discus – 1kg Varsity – Finals
1. Jieaya Siatini Williams 128′ 4″, Mountain City Christian Academy
2. Mattelyn Elliott 105′ 0″, Colony
3. Emilee Anderson 100′ 0″, South
4. Ailafo Fautanu 99′ 6″, Dimond
5. Mia Christensen 98′ 7″, Wasilla
6. Dayten VanOstrand 93′ 1″, Homer
High Jump Varsity – Finals
1. Nevaeh Watkins 5′ 2″, Dimond
2. Jessie Wentworth 5′ 0″, Su Valley
3. Autumn Larson 4′ 10″, Chugiak
4. Halie Sandstrom 4′ 10″, Colony
5. Jase Emerson 4′ 10″, Service
6. Maura McDaniel 4′ 8″, Su Valley
High Jump Pentathlon – Finals
1. Hannah Bodkin 4′ 6″, Chugiak
2. Iris Haas 4′ 4″, Delta Junction
3. Kathryn DeBardelaben 4′ 4″, Soldotna
4. Caroline Klebs 4′ 4″, Grace Christian
5. Katie Mackin 4′ 0″, Bartlett
6. Mari Ward 3′ 10″, Holy Rosary Academy
Long Jump Varsity – Finals
1. Rachael White 15′ 11.5″, South
2. Emilia Zych 15′ 8″, Service
3. Reilly Sue Baker 15′ 7″, Homer
4. Darby D’Amico 15′ 6.25″, South
5. Caroline Klebs 15′ 3.25″, Grace Christian
6. Grayson Henry 15′ 3″, Soldotna
Boys
100 Meters Varsity – Finals
1. Cedar Robichaud 11.26, West Valley
2. Frederick Millen III 11.29, Chugiak
3. Abubacar Marenah 11.40, West
4. Christopher Casey 11.43, West
5. Elijah Udall 11.67, Chugiak
6. Luke Poland 12.13, Chugiak
100 Meters Pentathlon – Finals
1. William Klein 11.93, Soldotna
2. Liam Pettit 12.03, Mountain City Christian Academy
3. Calvin Musgrave 12.07, Wasilla
4. Johannes Bynagle 12.41, Homer
5. Chris Jones 12.58 Grace Christian
6. Gideon Bedingfield 12.72, Su Valley
200 Meters Varsity – Finals
1. Cedar Robichaud 22.83, West Valley
2. Frederick Millen III 22.86, Chugiak
3. Ahmir Walker 22.90, Chugiak
4. Matthew Varney 23.13, Chugiak
5. Elijah Udall 23.38, Chugiak
6. Chrystchen Font 23.49, Service
400 Meters Varsity – Finals
1. Matthew Varney 50.73, Chugiak
2. Jack Weiss 51.50, Dimond
3. Ahmir Walker 51.51, Chugiak
4.Travis Saari 52.28, Colony
5. Reubin Williams 52.54, Service
6. Ansel Alexander 52.56, West
800 Meters Pentathlon – Finals
1. Johannes Bynagle 2:05.54, Homer
2. Liam Pettit 2:17.57, Mountain City Christian Academy
3. Gideon Bedingfield 2:18.49, Su Valley
4. Chris Jones 2:19.12, Grace Christian
5. Calvin Musgrave 2:29.08, Wasilla
6. William Klein 2:29.82, Soldotna
1 Mile Varsity – Finals
1. Arlo Jespersen 4:36.22, West
2. Kohen Galloway 4:37.53, Chugiak
3. Weston Roberts 4:38.00, Kodiak
4. Jai Badajos 4:41.57, Homer
5. Breyden Nottingham 4:44.08, Mountain City Christian Academy
6. Atlin Frederick 4:48.38, West
3200 Meters Varsity – Finals
1. Weston Roberts 10:01.27. Kodiak
2. Breyden Nottingham 10:05.74, Mountain City Christian Academy
3. Henry Pysher 10:07.41, Kodiak
4. Kohen Galloway 10:08.49, Chugiak
5. Joseph Laudermilch 10:10.90, Birchwood Christian
6. Josiah Herrick 10:11.54, Colony
110m Hurdles – 39″ / 0.991m Varsity – Finals
1. Matthew Jackson 15.29, East
2. Malachi Coski 16.58, Dimond
3. Tait Ostrom 16.64, Homer
4. Chris Jones 16.98, Grace Christian
5. Brandt Rollman 17.50, Cook Inlet Academy
6. Ethan Parker 17.72, Mountain City Christian Academy
300m Hurdles – 36″ / 0.914m Varsity – Finals
1. Christian Enriquez 43.64, Kodiak
2. Jayden Yeager 43.67, Soldotna
3. Elijah Johnson 44.49, North Pole
4. Adrienne Wales 44.90, Bartlett
5. Lucas Starck 45.01, West
6. Hunter Davis 45.81, Service
300m Hurdles – 36″ / 0.914m Pentathlon – Finals
1. Liam Pettit 43.92, Mountain City Christian Academy
2. Chris Jones 44.02, Grace Christian
3. Johannes Bynagle 45.35, Homer
4. William Klein 45.41, Soldotna
5. Calvin Musgrave 46.39, Wasilla
6. Gideon Bedingfield 47.74, Su Valley
4×100 Relay Varsity – Finals
1. Chugiak 43.44
2. Grace Christian 45.85
3. Palmer 45.94
4. Soldotna 45.99
5. Service 46.05
6. Bartlett 46.07
4×800 Relay Varsity – Finals
1. Soldotna 8:39.55
2. Kodiak 8:42.88
3. Mountain City Christian Academy 8:53.99
4. Valdez 8:54.57
5. Eagle River 8:55.46
6. Grace Christian 8:56.20
SMR 1600m – (200-200-400-800) Varsity – Finals
1. Dimond 3:43.67
2. Homer 3:49.04
3. Colony 3:49.16
4. Chugiak 3:50.21
5. Soldotna 3:53.95
6. Mountain City Christian Academy 3:53.97
DMR 4000m – (1,200-400-800-1,600) Varsity – Finals
1. West 11:07.81
2. Kodiak 11:25.56
3. Homer 11:29.80
4. Soldotna 11:33.77
5. Service 11:43.26
6. West Valley 11:45.33
Shot Put – 12lb Varsity – Finals
1. Benjamin Hiestand 50′ 3.25″, Chugiak
2. Theo Huff 47′ 2″, Soldotna
3. Grant Ousley 45′ 9″, Colony
4. Tino Timu 44′ 9.75″, Kodiak
5. Kyle Petersen 44′ 5″, Valdez
6. Ryvre Howell 42′ 9″, Chugiak
Shot Put – 12lb Pentathlon – Finals
1. Liam Pettit 40′ 1″, Mountain City Christian Academy
2. Johannes Bynagle 38′ 8″, Homer
3. William Klein 33′ 2″, Soldotna
4. Chris Jones 32′ 9″, Grace Christian
5. Calvin Musgrave 32′ 2″, Wasilla
6. Gideon Bedingfield 28′ 8″, Su Valley
Discus – 1.6kg Varsity – Finals
1. Benjamin Hiestand 161′ 1″, Chugiak
2. Nolan Garner 133′ 8″, Palmer
3. Theo Huff 132′ 1″, Soldotna
4. Curtis Forbes 129′ 1″, Lathrop
5. Grant Ousley 123′ 0″, Colony
6. Matthew Innes 121′ 4″, Soldotna
High Jump Varsity – Finals
1. Olin Liljemark 6′ 0″, Seward
2. Triton Ellis 5′ 8″, Colony
3. Ryan Gossett 5′ 6″, Su Valley
3. Julian Kiefer 5′ 6″, Kodiak
5. Christian Enriquez 5′ 6″, Kodiak
6. Corde Bates 5′ 4″, Dimond
6. Corbin Gerkin 5′ 4″, Palmer
High Jump Pentathlon – Finals
1. Johannes Bynagle 6′ 0″, Homer
2. Chris Jones 5′ 2″, Grace Christian
2. Gideon Bedingfield 5′ 2″, Su Valley
2. Calvin Musgrave 5′ 2″, Wasilla
5. Liam Pettit 5′ 2″, Mountain City Christian Academy
6. William Klein 5′ 0″, Soldotna
Long Jump Varsity – Finals
1. Corde Bates 20′ 9″, Dimond
2. Joshua Woko 20′ 8.75″, Mountain City Christian Academy
3. Wilson Lawson 20′ 3.5″, Lathrop
4. Ashton Clarkson 19′ 5.75″, Grace Christian
5. Triton Ellis 19′ 2.75″, Colony
6. Corbin Gerkin 19′ 1.75″, Palmer
Mixed Results
Mixed Swedish 100-200-300-400m Varsity – Finals
1. Soldotna 2:09.55
2. Dimond 2:12.88
3. West Valley 2:15.46
4. Kodiak 2:17.39
5. Mountain City Christian Academy 2:19.50
6. West 2:19.80
Two US soldiers were wounded by a brown bear during a training exercise in Alaska on Thursday, the US Army stated.
Anchorage Daily News reported that the soldiers were from the 11th Airborne Division, and that the exercise had been a “land navigation training event” near Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
State wildlife officials said that the bear attack seemed to be a defensive one, from a bear which had recently emerged from its den. Staff members from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game collected evidence at the scene in an attempt to learn more about the bear, such as its species and gender.
“The incident is currently under investigation, and we are working closely with installation authorities and local wildlife officials to gather all relevant information and ensure the safety of all personnel in the area,” the 11th Airborne Division said in a statement, reported ABC News.
ABC News also cited an 11th Airborne Division spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Jo Nederhoed, who said that the two soldiers had been seriously wounded, but were receiving care at a hospital in Anchorage, and had shown improvement by Saturday morning.
“We hope both individuals have a full and quick recovery, and our thoughts are with them during this time,” Fish and Game Regional Supervisor Cyndi Wardlow said in a statement reported by Anchorage Daily News. “In this case, having bear spray with them in the field may have saved their lives.”
Both of the soldiers reportedly had and used bear spray during the attack.
The bear’s condition and whereabouts are currently unknown.
Up, up and away … that’s where most travel prices are going.
It’s true. Not only are our nation’s geopolitical thrusts in the Mideast affecting the cost of your fill-ups, every component of your trip from airfares to car rentals and hotel stays are subject to price hikes.
Imagine filling up a jetliner with jet fuel that’s doubled in price. It’s enough to melt your credit card, regardless of the number of points you get for every dollar spent!
Because the price of oil affects everything, higher prices are eating away at your travel budget in many ways.
Bag fees
There’s lots of press on this. All airlines are increasing their checked-bag fees because of the jump in fuel prices.
Back in 2009, Alaska Airlines instituted a $15 fee for the first checked bag and $25 for the second bag. At the time, there was no charge for the first bag and a second bag was $25.
Last week, Alaska Airlines, along with other major airlines, increased its fees to $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second bag. Delta Air Lines charges the same.
Even if the cost of oil comes down, I don’t expect bag fees will ever be reduced.
Travelers who live in Alaska are somewhat insulated from the new hikes because both Delta and Alaska Airlines offer two free checked bags, with conditions:
1. Alaska offers two free checked bags for travelers flying to or from Alaska who are enrolled in Club 49. This does not affect other flights on Alaska. Separately, ATMOS credit card holders can get a free checked bag. Also, elite members of the ATMOS scheme get one or two free checked bags systemwide.
2. Delta offers two free checked bags for travelers flying to or from Alaska who are SkyMiles members who live in Alaska. Again, this does not apply to other Delta flights. Separately, Delta American Express cardholders can get a free checked bag.
3. Elite-level travelers with the oneworld airline cartel, including Alaska Airlines, can get one or two checked bags on American, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Qantas or other oneworld carriers.
[Anchorage’s international airport rolls out self-driving wheelchairs]
Main Cabin vs. Basic Economy
The spread between the lowest available price, Basic Economy, and a more flexible ticket, Main Cabin, has increased. While the difference used to be $20-$30 each way when the Basic Economy scheme was introduced in 2018, the round-trip upcharge now can exceed $100.
For example, the lowest Basic fare to Portland is $337 round-trip on Alaska Airlines. The upcharge to Main Cabin, with full loyalty points, pre-assigned seats and more flexibility on changes and cancellations, is $447, a 33% upcharge.
This trend is not specifically attributable to the new Iran War. It’s just a cost that continues to rise.
New fees
I’m impressed at the creativity of airline people who dream up new fees. Here are some of my favorites from Alaska Airlines:
1. Phone reservations: $15
2. Partner award booking fee: $12.50
3. Pet travel fee: $100 in the cabin, $200 in the baggage compartment with a kennel
4. Left on board item return fee: $20
On Condor Airlines, operating the only nonstop service from Anchorage to Europe, travelers can choose from four different bundles in economy class. The least-expensive, Economy Zero, from $840 round-trip, features fees for travelers:
1. Carry-on bag fee, up to 8kg: $35; a small bag like a purse always is included for free
2. Checked bag: $75
3. Airport check-in: $30
All three of these fees are included in the next-highest fare bucket, Economy Classic, from $900 round-trip. It’s cheaper to buy the bundle than it is to buy the components a la carte. Seat assignments are additional, from $25 for economy.
Airfares on the rise
There are a few good deals available for travel to select West Coast/Intermountain destinations in May, including:
1. Anchorage-San Francisco on Alaska Airlines, from $307 round-trip. Fly May 15-28 only. Add $90 round-trip for Main cabin.
2. Anchorage-Los Angeles on Alaska Airlines, from $317 round-trip. May 15-25 only. Add $90 round-trip for Main.
3. Anchorage-Phoenix on United, Delta or Alaska, from $267-$287 round-trip. Fly May 8-June 9 only. Add $90-$100 for Main.
4. Anchorage-Denver $357 round-trip on Delta. Fly May 8-June 9 only. Add $90 round-trip for Main.
For travel to other destinations, or later in the summer, be prepared to pay more.
Flying to Hawaii? Alaska Air’s nonstop prices out at $706 round-trip between May 30 and June 6. Add $110 round-trip for Main.
Nonstop flights from Anchorage to Salt Lake City start at $669 round-trip with Delta on May 17. That’s $100 more than the cost for the same flights last month. Add $90 more for Main.
Hotel costs continue to rise, accompanied by pesky resort fees.
The Outrigger on the Beach in Waikiki is a very nice beachfront hotel. It’s not plush, or the nicest property. But it’s solid. The cost is $334 per night.
But there’s more: a $50 per night resort fee, plus a variety of taxes and charges, totaling $112.55 per night.
Down in Seattle, the Sound Hotel in the Belltown neighborhood is marketed by Hilton. The discounted rate for “Honors” members — it’s free to join — is $313.34 per night for a king room in late May. Taxes and fees add an extra $56.40 per night.
There’s no appreciable bump yet for hotel rates as a result of the oil price surge. Yet. But if these hotel rates seem high, they’re in line with hotel rates in Anchorage this summer. At the Sheraton in Anchorage in June, it’s $450 per night, plus $54 in taxes and fees, when booked at Expedia.
Car rentals are not cheap
My go-to site for car rentals is the Costco site, which compares major brands and automatically includes Costco discounts.
In Las Vegas, for a one-day rental in May, Budget charges $67 per day, which includes taxes and fees of $22.77. In Anchorage, the same kind of car, medium SUV, costs $92.97 with Alamo.
The biggest differences so far in car rental rates seems to be the bill you’ll pay when you fill up the tank before returning. There’s no appreciable jump in prices because of the new war.
When it comes to making travel arrangements for the spring and summer, it’s more risky making completely non-refundable arrangements.
I made the decision to purchase most of my summer travel plans in advance, but only after determining I would not need to change the dates. Particularly with airline tickets, it’s expensive to change your dates.
There’s lots of uncertainty regarding travel arrangements, particularly international travel. As fuel prices go up due to oil shortages, travel companies will look for ways to recoup the increased costs. In most cases, those higher costs will be borne by travelers.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has led to a decrease in oil prices nationally, but Alaska’s senior senator said the state faces a different situation that could threaten rural communities.
“If you can’t produce power because you don’t have the diesel or you just can’t pay the prices, your little communities can collapse,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said at a Friday press conference at the Arctic Encounter Summit in Anchorage.
The price of oil has been a double-edged sword for Alaska. On one hand, the increased price of North Slope oil brings more revenue to the state, but consumer prices can also rise.
North Slope oil prices were $106.36 a barrel on Thursday.
“This is a very precarious time,” Murkowski said. “Our state has enjoyed a bounty because we have benefited from the higher prices of oil that goes into our treasury, but it’s the Alaskans in … the off-road communities that are threatened to be hit most hard.”
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