Jun. 30—Last week, just a few days after claiming a pair of national titles at the Adidas Track Nationals out of state, Grace Christian’s Robbie Annett returned home and was named the Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year for third time in his career, second time in his senior year and the first time for track and field.
“This title has been a long time in the works so I am very grateful to be named GPOY for track and field this year,” he said after last Wednesday’s announcement. “Racing at a national meet was super cool and coming out with a couple wins is even more of a blessing.”
This particular honor is a little more meaningful to Annett than the first two he received because he feels like “it encapsulates so many other disciplines of the sport of running.”
“Getting awarded this when there are so many other great athletes around the state means a lot,” Annett said. “I think this weekend was the perfect way to cap off my high school career. I ended with two more personal records and two new school records which I am extremely grateful for.”
At the 2025 Division II state track meet, he finally completed the distance running triple crown, finishing first in the 3200, 1600 and 800.
“There is a long history of rivalry between my school and Grace Christian — kind of like competing siblings,” Mountain City Christian Academy head coach Serge Duchatellier said in a statement. “I have followed Robbie since middle school. He has always been an amazing athlete. It was a given that Grace Christian was going to score a ton of points with him. Our team needed to plan to score points in other events. I am not surprised that Robbie would be considered for this award. He is a strong, passionate runner with great instincts and drive.”
In the classroom, Annett maintained a 3.23 GPA and has also volunteered locally with his church as a youth coach for elementary school kids. The Liberty University commit is grateful for all the coaches, teammates, friends and family who have helped him during his career, and especially thankful for the part his faith in God has played.
“I would like to praise my Lord and savior Jesus Christ, who has gifted me with the ability to run and live a life for him,” Annett said.
Coming off a sensational senior season in which she swept the girls distance and middle distance races at the Division II state meet, Sitka’s Clare Mullin was named Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year for girls track and field for the second year in a row.
“What makes her so formidable in the distance races is her ‘all-in’ mentality — she simply goes hard the whole time and will not back down,” Grace Christian school head coach Tara Edwards said in a statement. “In horrible conditions at our All-Star Meet on Kodiak Island, she attacked the race and held on for all she was worth until the very end. She is both tough and determined.”
In the classroom, Mullin maintained a 4.0 GPA, was the valedictorian of her class and is a member of the National Honor Society. She has also volunteered locally at several school events and will be competing in distance running at Gonzaga University starting this fall.
The Madisonville Kentucky Post 8 Rangers completed the Alaska Airlines Legion baseball tournament tour Sunday by claiming their second title in the Alaska 529 Midseason Classic. As was the case when they won their first down in Kenai, they emerged victorious from a low-scoring shutout thanks in large part to a lights-out performance on the mound by senior Jax Lee. The Rangers avenged their loss in the title game of the Todd Ryan Memorial Tournament to fellow out-of-state visitor, Klamath Falls of Oregon, by narrowly beating them 1-0.
“It’s pretty fun just being with the team, enjoying the times together and just having fun,” Lee said.
[‘It’s all been beautiful out here’: Kentucky Legion baseball team enjoys an extended stay in Alaska]
Anchorage’s Alissa Pili continues to make the most of her opportunities in the WNBA when they come. After not seeing the court in the Minnesota Lynx’s previous two games, the former Dimond High multisport star scored five points in seven minutes of action on Sunday night in a 102-63 blowout win over the Connecticut Sun. She drained one of her 3-pointer attempts and recorded an assist as well.
Two University of Alaska Fairbanks sports programs hired a new assistant in the past week. Last Wednesday, Nanooks head hockey coach Erik Largen has announced the hiring of Ryan Theros following a two-year stint as the head coach of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in the North American Hockey League (NAHL).
“Ryan is a passionate coach who specializes in player development,” Largen said in a statement. “He’s a proven leader who knows how to build winning teams and strong character. His success with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs and deep roots in the hockey community make him a tremendous addition to our program.”
On Monday, the Nanooks rifle program and first-year head coach Randi Loudin announced the hiring of Cecelia Ossi as the team’s new assistant coach. Ossi joins the staff following a standout graduate season with the Nanooks as a player in 2024-25 that included winning an individual national title in smallbore and several record-setting performances.
“Cecelia made a meaningful impact on our team culture last year with her drive, attention to detail, and outstanding performance,” Loudin said in a statement. “She has consistently demonstrated leadership — whether as an athlete, teammate, or coach for junior shooters — and brings a wealth of knowledge to this role. While we initially thought we’d only have her with the program for one year, using her final year of eligibility, I’m incredibly excited to see her continue to grow here in Fairbanks as a leader and valued member of our community. We look forward to all she’ll bring in this next chapter with the Nanooks.”
