Talkeetna teen wins 2020 Jr Iditarod

WILLOW — Seventeen-year-old Talkeetna musher Nicholas Sousa took first place in the 2020 Jr Iditarod. After crossing the finish line, Sousa and the other finishing teams celebrated their hard work during the Jr Iditarod Awards Banquet at the Willow Community Center Sunday, March 1.

“It was a fun race, a lot of cool people all over the place,” Sousa said. “I guess I never really thought about representing the Valley but I guess it’s kinda good. A lot of my friends from the Upper [Susitna] Valley are congratulating me and whatnot.”

All nine Jr Iditarod mushers completed the race this year. They started off the Knik Lake Saturday morning, traveling up to Yentna Station Roadhouse for an eight-hour layover before taking off again and finishing on Willow Lake.

“It’s relaxing being alone with the dogs,” Sousa said. “You don’t really have to stand up against anyone’s expectations. You just have to run the dogs and make sure they stay safe on the trail.”

Iditarod officials awarded $40,000 of scholarships, a new dog sled, and other notable prizes to the brave young mushers.

Sousa said that he trained with the Redington family and ran Ray Redington’s dogs.

“It’s really fun to be part of the mushing community,” Sousa said. “It feels really tight-knit… It almost feels like a connection of family around the dogs… I’ve never met a single musher that doesn’t care for the dogs.”

Sousa said while he’s new to mushing he’s always been a “dog person.” The family manages 60 dogs at Talkeetna Sundog Kennel which means he has a full-time job year-round.

“I’m really used to being around dogs. I love them. They love me. It’s kind of like an extended family of sorts,” Sousa said.

Another 17-year-old, Julia Cross, took second place in the 2020 Jr Iditarod. Cross crossed the border, venturing all the way from Ontario, Canada, to compete in the mushing capital of the world.

“This is where it’s at,” Cross’ mother, Becky, said.

Alaska is where mushers from around the world come to prove their mushing might. Willow is the birthplace of the Iditarod and that’s clear to see with the countless array of local volunteers pitching in with everything from trial grooming to preparing meals.

Jr racers’ parents were very involved with their children’s 2020 endeavors. A lot of parents waited on the trail watching for their kids to finish.

Sixteen-year-old musher Sam Paperman’s mother Dana was dripping wet with snow Sunday evening, warming up after waiting for her son to finish. Dana said the Willow community has been nothing but welcoming during their time there and she marveled at the town’s commitment to keeping the Last Great Race going each year.

“The support from the community is mind-boggling,” Becky said. “The community has put a lot of energy into this sport.”

Cross also has a Redington connection. She said that Ryan Redington asked her to run his dogs. She said that she felt really lucky for the opportunity to prove herself this race and she’ll be back next year.

“I plan to mush for the rest of my life. It’s an addicting sport,” Cross said. “My goal is to be the first Canadian to win the Iditarod.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com