Students gather for Valley’s first elementary-level event

WASILLA — Christa Hayes, a longtime local elementary school teacher, has worked throughout the Mat-Su Valley.

Hayes taught physical education at Larson Elementary and Fronteras Spanish Immersion before moving to Machetanz Elementary when the school opened its doors four years ago. At each school, Hayes helped introduce traditional Native games.

Last Saturday, Hayes brought about 40 of her students to Wasilla High School to participate in the Valley’s first local Native Youth Olympics meet for elementary-aged students.

“Every year I do it, there’s something about it,” Hayes said of incorporating the traditional Native games such as the wrist carry, stick pull and Alaskan high kick into her physical education curriculum. “It’s something new, and it’s part of our culture in Alaska.”

Hayes said the use of NYO games in elementary classes is catching on in the Valley. Five schools were represented Saturday, with about 100 students grades first through sixth competing.

Event organizer Noel Strick has seen first-hand the overall growth of the sport in Alaska. Strick was part of the Junior Native Youth Olympics games when competitions were formed in Anchorage. Her daughter Alice, a Wasilla High graduate, is also a past junior and senior NYO athlete, and winner of numerous top honors.

Strick said the Valley has long had a significant contingent in the annual JNYO event held in Anchorage. Considering that, Strick was among Valley proponents of NYO who felt it was time to create a local event for the elementary athletes.

“We have a large enough representation (in the Anchorage meet), we needed to do something here,” Strick said as she watched fifth- and sixth-grade girls compete in the Alaskan high kick Saturday afternoon. “People want to be involved.”

Strick was excited about the turnout of five teams and 100 athletes at the meet, put together completely by volunteers. Strick praised the economic assistance of sponsors Knik Tribal Council and Mat-Su Valley Federal Credit Union, and those who leant time to make the event a success.

“This is all volunteer,” she said.

Strick said the beauty of the Mat-Su community is the family atmosphere, and it was a family event for her. Her daughter was on hand to help with events and her husband built the stations for the events.

Family atmosphere, and the general camaraderie and sportsmanship, are important elements of NYO, Strick said, noting the intangibles in addition to the athletic side of the competitions.

“Those life skills are so important,” Strick said. “And that’s what they’re learning. We’re creating good, young people.”

She also said NYO presents a great way to teach traditional Native culture to any age group.

“Honestly, we don’t get enough Native culture, I think — being (an) Alaska Native — in our schools. And this is one way to bring it,” Strick said. “It’s a huge cultural thing.”

Hayes said the incorporation of NYO events into the elementary education is currently optional, but continues to grow.

“It’s really catching on,” Hayes said.

She said this is a good age group to introduce these activities.

“It’s great for goal setting and something you can totally do at home,” Hayes said. “You don’t need a teammate with you. It’s all working with great physical attributes: endurance, strength.”

Hayes’ son Hunter, a fifth-grader at Machetanz, has participated since he was in the first grade.

“I like the events and how much fun they are,” said Hunter, 10.

Hunter has competed in everything except the stick pull, but the Alaskan high kick is his favorite.

“It’s just fun to see how high you get, how much you can improve by,” Hunter said.

Hunter is also involved in youth wrestling and said NYO has helped him in his other sport.

Strick said her daughter, Alice, is a perfect example of how NYO can help local athletes in other sports. Before moving to the Valley in high school, Alice had only competed in NYO. She joined the Wasilla High track team as a sophomore and qualified for state meet in two events.

Strick said she’s excited for the future of the local elementary district meet.

“We could double in size easily next year,” Strick said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Mat-Su Elementary

JNYO District Meet

Saturday, Wasilla High

Fifth-sixth grade

Boys Alaskan high kick:

1. Hunter Hayes, Machetanz, 59 inches; 2. Michael Robinson, Machetanz, 46; 3. Max Wansel, Meadow Lakes, 42.

Girls Alaskan high kick:

1. Isa Weiss, Machetanz, 54; 2. Danielle Statler, Chicakloon, 48; 3. Aiyslin Tira, Machatanz, 48.

Boys scissor broad jump:

1. Hunter Hayes, Machetanz, 25; 2. Saevaen Wright, Machetanz, 20-3 3/16; 3. Ethan Korytna, Machetanz, 19-6.

Girls scissor broad jump:

1. Isa Weiss, Machetanz, 21-5.5; 2. Macy Buskirk, Meadow Lakes, 20-7.5; 3. Danielle Statler, Chickaloon, 18-9.5.

Boys one foot high kick:

1. Hunter Hayes, Machetanz, 82; 2. Avery Bell, Machetanz, 60; 3. Max Wansel, Meadow Lakes, 56.

Third-fourth grade

Boys arm pull:

1. Trey Whitehead, Machetanz; 2. Daylen Sandidge, Machetanz; 3. Halen Jackson, Meadow Lakes.

Girls arm pull:

1. Lilly Hyee, Machetanz; 2. Ashley K., Knik; 3. Isabella T., Machetanz.

Boys two foot high kick:

1. Chase Schachle, Machetanz, 59; 2. Kaden Ketchum, Machetanz, 58; 3. Braxton Whitehead, Machetanz, 49.

Girls two foot high kick:

1. Mia Weiss, Machetanz, 42; 2. Trinity Pendergrass, Machetanz, 39; 3. Andrea Apthop, Meadow Lakes, 33.

Boys wrist carry:

1. C. Hahn, Knik; 2. Braxton Whitehead, Machetanz; 3. Chase Schachle, Machetanz.

Girls wrist carry:

1. Mia Weiss, Machetanz; 2. Trinity Pendergrass, Machetanz; 3. Twyla Anderson, Knik.

First-second

Boys kneel jump:

1. Deshawn Campbell, Machetanz; 2. Evan Holmes, Machetanz; 3. Elijah Marcinek, Machetanz.

Girls knee jump:

1. Kaydence Rifredi, Meadow Lakes; 2. Brianna Tira, Machetanz; 3. Sarah Welton, Machetanz.

Boys Eskimo stick pull:

1. Deshawn Campbell, Machetanz; 2. Tanner Enes, Meadow Lakes; 3. Tristan Yingst, Meadow Lakes.

Girls Eskimo stick pull:

1. Lacy Graham, Meadow Lakes; 2. Bright Brubaker, Machetanz; 3. Brianna Tira, Machetanz.

Boys seal hop:

1. Deshawn Campbell, Machetanz, 25; 2. Felix Baker, Swanson, 22-10; 3. Landon Kitzman, Machetanz, 19-1.

Girls seal hop:

1. Brianna Tira, Machetanz; 2. Julie Rider, Machetanz; 3. Bright Brubaker, Machetanz.