2026 Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman/Mat-Su Sea Hawkers Student-Athlete of the Year finalists announced

The Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman has announced the finalists for the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman/Mat-Su Sea Hawkers Student-Athlete of the Year Award.

The 2026 finalists are: Colony seniors Addison Stewart and Gabe Black, Houston seniors Madelyn Seime and Elias Johnson, Mat-Su Career Tech seniors Lilly Diltz and Chase Ringler, Mat-Su Central senior Lizzie McQuillin, Palmer seniors Alder Deal and Nolan Garner, Redington seniors Sonia Gericke and Jake Murdock, Susitna Valley seniors Lily Esmailka and Austin Barnard, and Wasilla seniors Claire Bredberg and Zorn Allen.

All of the finalists will be honored during an awards banquet May 3 at 5:30 p.m. at Evangelo’s in Wasilla. Tickets for the event are currently on sale, and can be purchased at frontiersman.com/events.

The student-athletes of the year, one senior boy and one senior girl, will be announced during the banquet. Each winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship courtesy of the Mat-Su Sea Hawkers.

The award was created to recognize students who excel in athletics and academics. Local high schools nominate students based on criteria set by the Frontiersman, including a minimum grade point average and the participation in extracurricular activities.

Local medal-winning Paralympian Andrew Kurka is the guest speaker during the event. Earlier this year, Kurka — a longtime international standout in mono-skiing — capped his illustrious career with a bronze medal at the 2026 Paralympic Games in Milan, Italy.

The Frontiersman will also recognize the 2026 coaches of the year during the event.

Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.