2019 Professional Class

2019 Men's Professional Class

Andy Vincent – 1st Time Competing in Alaska

Hometown: League City, Texas

Years Throwing: 10, 8th year as a Professional

Has also Competed as a Professional Strongman and Played in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions

Fun Fact: Brother is Matt Vincent who is the last Professional Athlete to turn the Challenge Caber back in 2015. Will Andy add another Vincent name to the record books this year?

Chuck Kasson – 1st Time Competing in Alaska

Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska

Throwing in the Highland Games since 2011, Professionally since 2014

Current US National Champion, and 2018 World Champion.

Fun Fact: Some say that I was once bitten by a cobra, and after 6 days of agonizing pain, the cobra died.

Damien Fisher - 1st Time Competing in Alaska

Hometown: Ferndale, Washington

Years Throwing: 4

Head S&C Coach and Assistant T&F Coach for Western Washington University

Fun Fact: Has two daughters, Lilly and Abby, with his wife Emma. They traveled to Alaska with him to cheer dad on!

Daniel Tennison – 2nd Time Throwing in Alaska

Hometown: Witchita, Kansas

4th year as a Professional thrower

Co-Owner of Valhalla Barbell Club and proud father to Magnus, Ulrik and Hilda Mae

Fun Fact: Pre-Competition ritual includes Katy Perry songs; he has listened to her before any competition he has done in the last decade.

Kyle Lillie – 1st Time Throwing in Alaska

Hometown: Sacramento, California

Years Throwing: 4, 1st as a Professional.

As an amateur was a 2-time World Amateur Highland Games Champion.

Assistant T&F Coach for Sacramento State University.

Fun Fact: NCAA National Championship Qualifier for Shot Put and Hammer at Arizona State University

Nathan Burchett – 4th Year competing in Alaska – 2014 AK Games Champion

Hometown: Mason City, Iowa

Years Throwing: 16, 7 as a Professional

Lightweight national Champion in 2006, Amateur US Champion in 2012, Amateur World Champion in 2012, and Amateur record in the Light Hammer.

Fun Fact: If he could walk out to any music it would be “Big Pappa” Notorious B.I.G. His sister Emily Burchett was part of the Inaugural Women’s Professional Class in Alaska last year.

2019 Professional Women’s Class

Emily Adams – 1st Time Throwing in Alaska

Hometown: Chesapeake, Ohio

Years Throwing: 4

6x All-American in Collegiate Track and Field.

Professional Cake Decorator @sweetmountaincakes

Fun Fact: Her husband Matt Adams is competing in the Lightweight Class at the Alaska Scottish Highland Games this year.

Felicia Balten – 1st Time Throwing in Alaska

Hometown: Vista, California

Years Throwing: 7

Has held 5 World Records in the women’s lightweight class at one time.

Proud Mom to 8 year old Jordin

Fun Fact: Her husband Mike Baltren is competing in the Men’s A Class at the Alaska Scottish Highland Games this year.

Katie Crowley – 1st Time Throwing in Alaska

Hometown: West Salem, Wisconsin

Years Throwing: 10+

Track and Field sprinter and all American.

First Women’s Lightweight Highland Games World Champion (2016)

Fun Fact: Her Husband Luke Crowley is also a professional Highland Games Thrower and they have been competing for over 10+ years together.

Jessica Bridenthal – 2nd Time Throwing in Alaska – 2018 AK Games and Alaskan Salmon Toss Champion

Hometown: Falls, Pennsylvania

Years Throwing: 4

NCAA National Champion and 12x All-American from Ashland University.

2017 USA North American and World Champion in the Highland games, 2018 World Runner Up

World record in HWFD 55'1 and Former sheaf world record holder at 35'

Fun Fact: Jessica has the handsomest corgi cattle dog in the world, Albus and 2x cat mom. She also holds the Alaska Women’s Games records in the 12# Braemar Stone Event and the 28# Weight for Distance

Nikita Marzano – 1st Time in Alaska

Hometown: Wilmington, Deleware

Years Throwing: 6

Has competed in some of the most prestigious Highland Games, including Enumclaw, Pleasanton, Worlds, East v. West and the Arnold.

Fun Fact: Nikita has also competed in MAS Wresting, Strongwoman and Powerlifting competitions.

Olivia Tyler – 2nd Time in Alaska

Years Throwing: 7

Current Women's World Highland Games Champion, also the 2016 North American Highland Games Champion. World Record Holder in Sheaf at 35'3" Will she break that record at the Alaska games during the inaugural year of the Sheaf Toss event?

Married to Highland Games Professional Athlete Spencer Tyler and mom to beautiful daughters, Eva and Johnna.

Proud Fact: Olivia is a Thyroid Cancer Survivor. The Alaska Games is her first game back from her battle with Cancer!