Alaska Scottish Highland Games athletes shine during 2024 events

Athletes from across the state and beyond participated in the 2024 Alaska Scottish Highland Games held at the Alaska State Fairgrounds.

The Alaska Scottish Highland Games features a variety of traditional Scottish games that involve feats of strength and skill. Athletes from all walks of life and experience levels come from across the state to compete in events such as the caber toss, the Challenge Stone, and the uniquely Alaskan event called the Salmon Toss.

The 2024 Highland Games were particularly special this year since it was the first time the Women's World Championships were held in Alaska.

Alaskan Scottish Club Executive Director, Jeni McDaniel said they hosted the Men's World Championships in 2016, and she was elated about the fact they could finally host the Women's World Championships. She said that she was very impressed with the local and visiting women athletes.

“They stuck to it and did a great job and put on a really great show for Alaska," McDaniel said.

California athlete Meagan McKee was named the 2024 World Champion. McDaniel noted that it was McKee's fifth consecutive victory.

“She's definitely one of the best female Highland games athletes that the sport has seen to date,” McDaniel said.

Jess Bridenthal and her husband Jared Conklin made their way to the Last Frontier from Hillsdale, Michigan to compete in the Highland Games.

“This is one of my favorite Highland Games to compete at," Bridenthal said. This is really cool. I think it's really one of the best run games.”

Bridenthal said this is their third time visiting Alaska and they made more time to explore the state this time around.

“We've been living it up,” Bridenthal said. “It's beautiful. It's probably my favorite place I've ever visited.”

Bridenthal participated in a plethora of athletic events. She won this year's Salmon Toss and set the world record for the women's division several years ago.

Bridenthal said that she enjoys sharing this unique journey with her husband as they participate in Highland Games events across the country.

“It's a cool thing for us to do together and gets us to travel together," Bridenthal said.

Conklin said they both have Scottish heritage and they both enjoy challenging themselves as athletes.

“It's just fun to throw weird stuff," Conklin said with a laugh.

Conklin said the Highland Games format is a very open and supportive activity to be involved in.

“Everyone can be included in it," Conklin said. “It's more family-esque than anything.”

The 2024 Alaska Scottish Highland featured numerous athletes from the Mat-Su Valley such as Jason Kepler. He said it brings a lot of worldwide attention to the small city he grew up in.

"It's a big event I think for Palmer," Kepler said.

Kepler said that he's participated in the Highland Games about a dozen times and he enjoys it.

“It's just a challenge to try to beat your record," Kepler said.

Kepler has been bringing his teenage son Zeke along to compete in the Highland Games the last two years.

“It's a fun family event,” Kepler said.

6 year old attendee Anna Kamahele walked up to Alaska Scottish Highland Games board member and athlete Margaret Wallace to get her autograph. She said that Wallace is her favorite athlete because they had a lot of fun spending time with the Highland cattle.

This was Kamahele's second time attending the Highland Games and she was happy to be back.

“I love it," Kamahele said.

Kamahele's grandmother Kathy Miller said the Highland Games event is a great way to spend time with family.

“I like the people and being able to get out and being able to see different groups," Miller said.

Wallace said that she has enjoyed being a part of this annual tradition. She said it's a very supportive and fun loving environment where it's commonplace for athletes to make friends and cheer each other on.

“I really like the community,” Wallace said.

We hang out and dance the whole time.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com