Dozens qualify for state NYO at Valley district meet

HOUSTON — It’s become cliché to describe an outstanding performance as an athlete “jumping out of the gym.” In the case of Will Byrd, the cliché is almost a literal description of his performance.

The Wasilla High School sophomore dazzled the crowd of athletes, parents and coaches with a personal best leap of 106 inches in the one-foot kick Saturday at the Houston Invitational, the Valley’s district meet and state qualifier for the state Native Youth Olympics.

The leap, which topped his previous best of 104 inches set at last year’s state NYO meet, in which he placed fourth, had his competitors clapping and drew a standing ovation from all in the Houston Middle School gym.

“That was fantastic,” Byrd said after just barely missing the 107-inch mark. “It’s a great feeling. Everybody’s there for you, miss it or not.”

Byrd’s run also drew the attention of girls winner, Ashley Apangalook, a Houston High School sophomore who posted an 80-inch jump of her own.

“That was so crazy seeing him get 106 and watching him break that personal best,” she said.

That camaraderie among athletes — no matter their team affiliation — is one of the things that makes Native Youth Olympics stand apart. Many times during Saturday’s action, all competitors would stop and rhythmically clap for another to pump him or her up for a crucial athletic attempt.

“It’s good to have everybody supporting you and that helps,” Apangalook said.

Byrd seemed to feed on the energy.

After he and a pair of others — Daniel Adams of Palmer High School and Issac John Giles of Burchell High — hit at 100 inches, Byrd found another level. He hit 101 inches on his first try, as well as 105 inches. The 106 to set a new personal best hit on his third attempt.

And he’s not done yet. Byrd placed forth at state last year with a kick of 104 inches, and believes he can hit 110 this year.

“With enough practice, I can probably go three more inches, four more inches,” he said. “My goal is to place in the top four. I’m going to try and get 110.”

While Byrd was setting up his entertaining run, Apangalook was busy staving off stiff competition from Wasilla’s Simone Pushruk. Pushruk finised second in the one-foot kick with a kick of 78 inches. More than that, however, the diminutive dynamo finished the district meet qualifying for state NYO in six events.

The top two finishers in each event move on to the state meet. Pushruk placed second in the one-foot kick, Indian stick pull, Alaskan high kick and seal hop. She won gold in the two-foot kick (63 inches) and the toe kick (34 inches).

After finished the seal hop, the day’s last event, Pushruk said she was pleased with how she performed, and admitted that she was a little sore Saturday after competing in a host of events the day before.

That competition from girls like Pushruk helps push Apangalook to perform better, she said.

“Yeah, you get all pumped up and you get scared,” Apangalook said. “She’s really good and she’s so tiny, too.”

The athletes aren’t the only ones feeling invigorated by the Native Youth Olympics. Cheering in the stands for a pair of Wasilla athletes were Mary Ann Smith and Helen Spicer, both grandmothers. They are both grandmothers of Timmy Smith, and Spicer also is Tommy Betti’s grandma.

For Betti, watching the NYO brought back memories of growing up in her father’s home with her siblings. Her father, Herbert Kinneebauk, would teach his children some of the athletic skills on display at NYO, like the high kick.

“I wish my father could have seen these kids doing this,” she said. “You know, when we were growing up. Papa used to let us jump and kick (his hand). That’s how we would train, he would just his hand out and we’d kick it, and it would get higher and higher.”

For Mary Ann Smith, NYO is a way for Valley youth to keep traditional skills alive.

“I’m very proud that they’re involved with NYO,” she said. “My grandson has done it since sixth grade every year, and now he’s a junior in high school and he’s learned a lot and come a long way. They’re all learning how things used to be and they’re learning from their elders.”

While Pushruk was busy qualifying in six events on the girls side, Burchell High’s Issac John Giles will represent the Valley in three events at state. He placed second in the one-hand arm reach (59 inches) and Alaskan high kick (82 inches), and he won the two-foot kick with an effort of 84 inches.

The state NYO Games are set for April 25-27 at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage. Admission is free.

Contact reporter Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.

Houston Invitational

Native Youth Olympics District Meet

Saturday, Houston Middle School

Top 3 teams:

1. Wasilla High School 41, 2. Burchell High School 20, 3. (tie) Palmer High School and Houston High School 17.

Girls events:

One-hand arm reach:

1. Chelsea Morrow, BHS 58 inches; 2. Kierra McDaniels Holmes, HHS 54 inches; 3. Bette Stachovich, WHS 50 inches.

Kneel jump:

1. Kasey Ryan, PMS 31 15/16 inches; 2. Chelsea Morrow, BHS 30.5 inches; 3. Lilliah Merculeif, BHS 28 ¼ inches.

Two-foot kick:

1. Simone Pushruk, WHS 63 inches; 2. Allison Qualls, PHS 62; 3. Hannah Clemons, SV 60 inches.

Toe kick:

1. Simone Pushruk, WHS 34 inches.

Indian stick pull:

1. Kayla Olhansen, CHS; 2. Simone Pushruk, WHS; 3. Deandra Nicholai, WMS.

Eskimo stick pull:

1. Cassidy Edwards, WHS; 2. Bette Stachovich, WHS; 3. Serena Montgomery, CMS.

Alaskan high kick

1. Tayah Clark, CHS 65 inches; 2. Simone Puchruk, WHS 62 inches; 3. Chelsea Morrow, BHS 60 inches.

Wrist carry:

1. Hannah Clemons, SV 246 feet, 11 ¾ inches; 2. Lucy Holmes, HMS 182-1; 3. Simone Pushruk, WHS 158-4 ¼.

One-foot kick:

1. Ashley Apangalook, HHS 80 inches; 2. Simone Pushruk, WHS 78 inches; 3. Hannah Chemora, SV 76.

Seal hop:

1. Lacy Holmes, HMS 98 feet, 4 inches; 2. Simone Pushruk, WHS 96-1/2; 3. Carrissa Vasquez, WMS 86 feet.

Boys events:

One-hand arm reach:

1. Daniel Adams, PHS 62 inches; 2. Issac John Giles, BHS 59 inches; 3. Emmit Walker, BHS 50 inches.

Kneel jump:

1. Timmy Smith, WHS 48 ¾ inches; 2. Kevin Horton, WHS 47 ½ inches; 3. Tanner Barclay 46 ¼ inches.

Two-foot kick:

1. Issac John Giles, BHS 84 inches; 2. Timmy Smith, WHS 84 inches; 3. Daniel Adams, PHS 84 inches.

Toe kick:

1. Kevin Horton, WHS 78 inches; 2. Connor Evans, SV 62 inches; 3. David Adams, PHS 48.

Indian stick pull:

1. Daniel Ballatis, WHS; 2. Dalton Beatie, HHS; 3. John Gillespie, SV.

Eskimo stick pull:

1. Dalton Beatie, HHS; 2. Lester Asher, SV; 3. Frank Kelly, SV.

Alaskan high kick:

1. Daniel Adams, PHS 84 inches; 2. Issac John Giles, BHS 82 inches; 3. Emmit Walker, BHS 76 inches.

Wrist carry:

1. Josh Hughes, WHS 544 feet, ½ inch; 2. Connor Floyd, BHS 463-10; 3. Jacob McNulty, HHS 341-11 ½.

One-foot kick:

1. Will Byrd, WHS 106 inches; 2. Daniel Adams, PHS 100 inches; 3. Issac John Giles, BHS 100 inches.

Seal hop:

1. Cameron McBride, BHS 79 feet, 7 inches; 2. Emmet Walker, BHS 75-1; 3. Kacey Gage, WHS 73-1 ½.