Sports briefs

Valley schools compete

in Valdez Invitational

Su Valley, Wasilla and Colony traveled to Valdez last weekend to compete in the Valdez Invitational cross-country ski meet. The event featured classic-style skiing, with seven schools competing in varsity and junior varsity boys' and girls' events.

Wasilla's Jamie Boehm, Rose Wallin and Jennifer Langher led Valley junior varsity girls with sixth-, seventh- and eighth-place finishes.

Colony skiers swept the top-three places in the junior varsity boys' race with Joe Dougherty finishing first, Calvin Romines placing second and Ryan Snyder taking third.

Su Valley's Renae Moore and Melissa Ostermick paced the Rams' girls to a team victory by taking first and second in the girls' varsity race.

Colony's Jeff Warner took first in the boys' varsity race, with teammate Ross Wise taking third. Their finishes paced the Colony boys to a team victory.

Umpires needed

Mat-Su softball is looking for fast-pitch softball umpires for the 2002 season.

Call Al Daniels after 5 p.m. at 746-3489 for more information.

Willow sled-dog race approaching

This year will mark the 41st annual Willow Winter Carnival. In honor of the late Earl Norris, the open-class sled-dog race has been renamed the Willow Winter Carnival Earl Norris Open Class Sled Dog Race.

The race will start Jan. 26 and 27 at 1 p.m. from the Willow Community Center, Mile 69.5 Parks Hwy.

Mushers interested in entering the race can contact Jean Kornmuller at 495-5890 (evenings) or 745-1441

(weekdays).

Donations toward the race purse can be mailed to the Willow Area Community Organization, P.O. Box 1027, Willow, AK 99688.

Su Valley teams

find mixed results

The Su Valley girls' basketball team defeated Nenana 51-42 Friday night. Melissa McNulty paced the Rams with 25 points and Jessica Bills added 11.

The Rams' girls dropped a close 50-49 game to Tok Saturday. McNulty chipped in 22 points in the loss with Bills adding 10.

The Su Valley boys lost 52-46 to Nenana Friday night. Tye Steadman scored 13 points for the Rams with Chris Birdsall adding 11. The Rams' boys fell to Tok 74-61 Saturday. Steadman exploded for 33 points in the game.

Soccer club registration

The Mat Valley Comp Soccer Club will register participants for the 2002 summer season Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Colony, Palmer, Teeland and Wasilla middle schools.

Registration is open to boys and girls ages 10-17. The club is also looking for coaches for many age divisions.

For further information, call 745-4953.

2002 Martial Arts championships

The 2002 Alaska Open Martial Arts Championships will feature a multi-style competition for all ages and skill levels.

The tournament will be Feb. 9 at West Anchorage High School.

The competition will include more than 170 divisions in hard and soft style forms, weapons, sparring and team competition.

For registration or ticket information, call (800) 20PUNCH.