Hometown Heroes

Former Wasilla student-athlete James Watts has found a spot in the Western Oregon University offense. The sophomore tailback has gained 123 yards on 24 carries and is averaging more than five yards per carry.

Watts has seen action in all five games for the 2-3 Wolves. Watts and Western Oregon defeated San Diego 34-3 last week and will host Western New Mexico this season.

Fellow Wasilla graduate Travis Dutcher and Colony alum Josh Williams are red-shirt running backs for the Wolves and former Wasilla quarterback Jake Carney is expected to be added to the team in November.

Football:

Cole Magner (Colony 2000) is a starting wide receiver for the Division I Bowling Green State Falcons. The sophomore flanker has nine catches for 193 yards and a touchdown for the 5-0 Falcons … Travis Webb (Wasilla 2002) is in his first season with St. Peters College (NJ) … James Watts (Wasilla 2001) is a sophomore running back for Western Oregon. Watts is the Wolves' second leading rusher with 134 yards … Travis Dutcher (Wasilla 2002) and Josh Williams (Colony 2001) are red-shirt running backs for Western Washington … Jake Carney (Wasilla 2002) is expected to be added to the Western Oregon roster in November … Matt Gillete (Wasilla 2001) and Jon Fillman (Colony 2001) are sophomore defensive lineman for the University of Minnesota Crookston … James Winter (Colony 2001) is a sophomore nose guard for the Moorehead State. Winter has been a regular on the UMM varsity defensive line. Winter was named the team's freshman of the year on the defensive line last season.

Basketball:

Ray Schafer (Wasilla 2003) has an oral commitment with Oregon to join the Ducks for the 2003-04 season … Zac Forsythe (Palmer 2002) is entering his first season with the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Forsythe and the Nanooks participated in Midnight Madness, Oct. 11, to celebrate the first official practice day for NCAA basketball … Jessica Moore (Colony 2001) enters her second season with the University of Connecticut. Moore and the Huskies will look to defend their 2001-02 NCAA National Championship … Nicky Bean (Colony 1999) enters her first season with Alaska Anchorage after transferring from Spring Hill College (AL). Bean also spent two years with Marshalltown College (IA). Bean is a senior guard … Melissa McNulty (Susitna Valley 2002) enters her first season with Alaska Fairbanks.

Hockey:

Shane Saum (Palmer) is competing in his third season with Air Force. Saum has 22 goals and 22 assists during his career with the Division I program … Kerry Weiland (Palmer) is entering her senior season with the University of Wisconsin women's ice hockey team. The 2001 All-American registered an assist in her squads sweep of ninth ranked Northeastern last weekend. Weiland was recently named to the 2002 USA Women's Select Team that will compete in the 4 Nations Tourney in November.

Cross-country:

Kristine Larson (Colony 2000) is a sophomore with Eastern Washington … John Heimerl (Colony 1999) is in his senior year with Alaska Fairbanks … Diana Heimerl (Colony 2001) is in her sophomore season with the Nanooks … Renae Moore (Susitna Valley 2002) is in her first season with Alaska Fairbanks … Eric Strabel (Colony 2000) is competing in his junior season with Alaska Anchorage … Ivan Steadman (Susitna Valley 2002) is in his first season with the Seawolves … Nicole Hanson (Susitna Valley 2000) is a sophomore with Alaska Anchorage and Sarah Hanson (Susitna Valley 2001) is a sophomore with the Seawolves … Patrick Egelus (Palmer 2000) is in his junior season with Eastern Oregon … Antonia Gatto (Colony 1999) is in her first year with the Pacific Lutheran running team.

Volleyball:

Leisa Rosen (Wasilla) is in her fourth season as an assistant coach with the Michigan Wolverines

Swimming:

Dirk Craft II (Palmer 2000) is in his second season with South Dakota. Last season Craft was named the USD Team MVP.

Wrestling:

James Winter (Colony 2001) will begin his second season as a heavyweight for the Moorehead State … Dan Pickett (Colony 2001) is a sophomore for Moorehead State and Daniel Graham (Colony 2002) is entering his first season with Moorehead State … Jesse Brock (Wasilla) is now a junior with Boise State, wrestling at the 133 lb. class. Brock was a Pac 10 champion last season … Tony D'Amico (Palmer) is a junior at the 184 lb. class. D'Amico, placed third in the Pac 10 championships after transferring from Oklahoma State the year before … James Wade (Palmer) is a red-shirt sophomore for Boise State after transferring from Indiana last season … Scott Jorgenson (Palmer) is also a sophomore for Boise State … Jon Bush (Palmer 1997) is entering his senior season with Purdue.