Bethel musher wins Junior Iditarod

WILLOW — The Junior Iditarod title returned to the Klejka family.

Jeremiah Klejka, 17, hit the finish line at the Willow Community Center at 11:46 a.m. Sunday to win the mid-distance sled dog race, open to young mushers ages 14-17. Klejka is the second member of his family to win the race in the last four years.

His older sister Jessica won the race in 2008.

Klejka finished the course that stretched from Knik Lake to Yentna Station to Willow Community Center in 1 day, 11 hours and 46 minutes to win the title, and the $5,000 scholarship that goes along with it. Klejka hit the finish line with 15 of his dogs.

He finished fourth last year.

Cantwell’s Anitra Winkler arrived at the finish line at 12:12 p.m. Sunday to finish second and earned a $3,000 scholarship prize.

Wasilla’s Emily Krol was third, and won $1,500.

Kaye Berg of Eagle River was fourth and Jenny Greger of Bozeman, Mont., finished fifth. Bert and Greger earned $1,000 and $500 scholarships respectively.

Ninilchik’s Merissa Osmar, the 2010 champion, finished eighth.

Junior Iditarod 2011 standings

Into Willow Community Center

1. Jeremiah Klejka, 11:46 a.m.; 2. Anitra Winkler, 12:12 p.m.; 3. Emily Krol, 12:34 p.m.; 4. Kaye Berg, 12:39, 12:39 p.m.; 5. Jenny Greger, 12:47 p.m.; 6. Jesse Klejka, 1:09 p.m.; 7. Shameka Nelson, 1:43 p.m.; 8. Merissa Osmar, 2:20 p.m.; 9. Meredith Mapes, 3:14 p.m.; 10. Conway Seavey, 3:58 p.m.; 11. Aea Robinson, 3:59 p.m.; 12. Selji Takagi, 5:19 p.m.