Frontiersman sports person of year

There is a new tradition at the Frontiersman.

Each year, the Frontiersman will now name the sports person of the year.

The Frontiersman sports person of the year is in recognition of the individual who has the greatest effect on the Mat-Su Valley and athletics during the year.

There are four finalists for 2003.

First is Isaac Moore. A graduate of Wasilla High School and an officer in the Marine Corps, Moore raised a large amount of money to aid a struggling Iraqi wrestling program while serving his country during the war in Iraq. Moore was a star wrestler and football player for Wasilla and standout wrestler in college for the Virginia Military Institute.

The second finalist is Pete Christopher. In his first full year as the Mat-Su Miners' general manager, Christopher gave the local amateur baseball organization a complete facelift. His many tasks included refurbishing Hermon Brothers Field and bringing in a host of new talent that sparked winning ways in the Palmer ballpark.

The third finalist is Jed Wade. The Wasilla athlete established himself as one of the best wrestlers in the history of the sport in the state. Wade won his third straight state title in March and broke the state record for wins in a career in December. Wade was also a standout and All-Northern Railbelt Conference selection in football.

The last finalist is Palmer's Rory Egelus.

Egelus won the Junior Mount Marathon in July and was named to the U.S. world mountain running team.

Egelus is also a standout on the Moose running squads.

The first Frontiersman sports person of the year will be named in the January edition of Peak Magazine, which is available in the Sunday edition of the Frontiersman.

Finalists- Frontiersman Sports Person of the Year- Isaac Moore, Pete Christopher, Jed Wade, Rory Egelus

The following are the Frontiersman prep athletes of the year, individuals who topped the Frontiersman sports headlines during 2003.

Prep basketball- Ray Schafer- Led his Wasilla squad to a second place finish in the state tournament … Named Gatorade Player of the Year …. Began collegiate career at the University of Oregon

Prep football- Junior Aumave, Nick Pilch, Justin McCain, Tory Johnson, Colby Yuill- Helped lead the Palmer Moose to their first Northern Railbelt Championship by paving the way for the potent Moose running attack … These linemen helped Palmer gain more than 2,000 yards on the ground.

Prep volleyball- Jessie Macknicki- The outside hitter led the Moose to a Region championship and a place in the state tournament … Named Region III- Northern Division Player of the Year.

Prep ice hockey- Jake Williams- Houston forward led the Hawks to a second-place finish in the 3A state tournament … Began his junior career with the Dubuque Thunderbirds of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League.

Prep cross-country skiing- Tazlina Mannix- Su Valley skier named to the US Junior National Team .. Now training with Alaska Pacific University in the early entrance honors program.

Prep wrestling- Jed Wade- Wasilla grappler broke the state mark for wins in a career and won his weight class in the Reno Tournament of Champions

Prep running- Rory Egelus- Palmer native won the Junior Mount Marathon and was named to the U.S. Mountain Running team

Prep soccer- Sienna Garrod- The Colony striker led the Knights to the Region III title … Began her college career with Gonzaga University.

Prep rifle- Allison Kolberg- Palmer shooter invited to participate in US Junior Olympic competition.