The Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) proudly announces the 2025 class of inductees into the Alaska High School Hall of Fame. This year’s honorees exemplify excellence in athletics, academics, arts, and service and have made lasting impacts in schools and communities across the state. The twelve individuals from all around Alaska will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday, April 27. The Special Olympics Alaska Jim Balamaci Training Center (3200 Mountain View Drive, Anchorage) is set to host the 2 p.m. ceremony and reception.
The Alaska High School Hall of Fame was established to identify and honor, in a permanent manner, individuals who exhibited high ethical standards and integrity while achieving excellence in high school athletics and activities, as well as others who have distinguished themselves by virtue of exemplary contributions to the advancement of interscholastic athletics and activities in the State of Alaska.
The 2025 class includes 10 athletes and two activity sponsors/teachers. The Kenai Peninsula inductees include:
• AJ Hull (Kenai Central): A dynamic four-sport athlete and Gatorade Player of the Year who led Kenai to multiple state titles.
AJ Hull, a 2012 graduate of Kenai Central High School, stands among Alaska’s most accomplished multi-sport athletes. A four-sport letterman and state champion, Hull combined elite athletic performance with leadership, sportsmanship, and academic excellence throughout his high school career.
In football, Hull was a three-year letter winner and two-time state champion (2009, 2011), also leading Kenai to a runner-up finish in 2010. He earned numerous accolades, including Gatorade Player of the Year (2011), Offensive Player of the Year, and State Outstanding Player. Hull was a three-time First Team All-State quarterback, twice named All-State at defensive back, and once as a return specialist. He was also named State Player of the Game in the 2009 title matchup and earned All-Tournament honors on both sides of the ball in 2010. He continued his football career at Western Oregon University from 2012–2013.
Hull earned four varsity letters in basketball, finishing his senior season as a First Team All- Region and Second Team All-State selection. On the baseball field, he was part of the 2012 American Legion State Championship team and was named Tournament MVP. He also received the Big Stick Award and was named Northern Lights Player of the Year, as well as First Team
All-State.
In track & field, Hull was a two-time Northern Lights Region Champion in the 200m and long jump. He also competed at the state level in the 300-meter hurdles and was part of a 4×400 relay
team that placed sixth in 2010. A true student-athlete, Hull graduated with a 3.68 GPA, was a member of the National Honor Society, and later earned a B.B.A. in Business Management from the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Known for his humility, leadership, and unselfish play—like pitching the ball to a teammate near the goal line to share the glory—AJ Hull’s legacy lives on in the Kenai community, where he continues to give back as a mentor and basketball official. He is a fitting addition to the Alaska High School Hall of Fame.
• Rachel Johnson (Nikiski): A standout in volleyball, basketball, and soccer whose collegiate soccer career included success at the Pac-12 level.
Rachel Johnson, formerly Rachel Thompson, is a distinguished athlete whose exceptional talents, leadership, and character have earned her a well-deserved place in the Alaska High School Hall of Fame. A three-sport athlete at Nikiski High School, Rachel excelled in soccer, volleyball, and basketball, leaving a lasting impact on her school and community.
In volleyball, Rachel earned 1st Team All-State honors in 2012 and 2014, and was named South Central Conference MVP in 2014. In basketball, she was named to the 1st Team All-State in 2015 and the 2nd Team All-State in 2014, while also earning the South Central Conference MVP award. Her leadership and dedication to her teams were evident both on and off the court, as she consistently led by example. Scott Anderson, her former basketball coach, shared, “Rachel’s leadership stands out as a primary reason for our fond memories. She made us a team, not just a group of individuals.”
In soccer, Rachel’s talent as a goalkeeper was exceptional, even though the small Nikiski soccer program often struggled to field a team. Despite the team’s challenges, Rachel kept them competitive and played a crucial role in every game. She was named Northern Lights Conference MVP in 2012, demonstrating her skill and resilience in a sport that demanded both mental and physical toughness.
Rachel’s athletic success continued at the collegiate level, where she played soccer at Highline College, setting a school record with an eleven-game shutout streak and earning two-time conference all-star honors. She then moved on to Washington State University, where she played for the Pac-12 Cougars, earning the Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week honors twice after shutting out No. 8 UCLA and tying No. 1 Stanford. Rachel’s commitment to both her sport and academics earned her Pac-12 Academic Honorable Mention recognition.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Rachel’s character and leadership qualities truly set her apart. She was a model student at Nikiski, excelling academically with a rigorous course load and earning an honors diploma. Her coaches and teachers admired her for her positive attitude, work ethic, and willingness to help others. “Rachel embodies what we strive for in a student-athlete,” said Jake Doth, a longtime coach. “She truly loves athletics, competition, and the camaraderie of working together with others.”
Rachel’s commitment to community service further underscores her character. She volunteered for numerous causes and led various school events, earning respect from her peers and mentors alike. Her natural leadership and ability to inspire others will be remembered by those who had the privilege of working with her.
Rachel Johnson’s exceptional athletic career, combined with her academic excellence, leadership, and selflessness, made her a deserving inductee into the Alaska High School Hall of Fame. Her legacy continues to inspire future generations of Alaskan student-athletes.
• Luke Johnson (Nikiski): A four-sport athlete, three-time wrestling state champion, and scholar who now serves his community as a civil engineer.
Luke Johnson’s high school athletic career is nothing short of legendary. A true multi-sport standout, Luke excelled in football, wrestling, basketball, and track & field, leaving a lasting impact on every team he was a part of. His achievements reflect not only his exceptional athletic ability but also his unwavering dedication, leadership, and academic excellence.
Luke’s wrestling career is especially notable. He achieved the rare feat of being undefeated for three consecutive seasons, winning three state titles in a row from 2013 to 2015. His dominance on the mat was further highlighted by his selection as a USA Wrestling Academic All-American in his senior year. As a freshman, Luke was a state runner-up, losing to his older brother, setting the stage for the remarkable success that followed. As coach Dylan Hooper remarked, “Luke is probably the most accomplished athlete I have ever coached.”
In addition to wrestling, Luke was a key player on the football field, where he played in four state championship games, winning a state title in 2013 and finishing as a runner-up in 2012, 2014, and 2015. He was a force both offensively and defensively, earning multiple All-State honors. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 and 2014, and Lineman of the Year in 2015. Luke was also recognized as State Player of the Game four times and capped his high school career with an MVP performance in 2015. His coach, Jake Doth, shared, “Luke’s leadership on the field was unparalleled; he always led from the front.”
Luke’s excellence extended to track & field, where he proved his versatility by competing in multiple events. He earned state championships in the shot put and set a new school record in 2016. That same year, he finished second in the discus. Luke’s well-rounded abilities also saw him place in the top six in the state in both shot put and discus in 2015, and he made an impressive showing in his freshman year by placing in the state in the shot put, high jump, and 4x100m relay.
As a basketball player, Luke contributed to a sixth-place finish at the state competition in 2016, showcasing his talent in yet another sport. His ability to excel in multiple disciplines made him a standout athlete and a leader on every team.
In the classroom, Luke maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout his high school career, demonstrating the same dedication and work ethic that fueled his athletic success. His teachers and coaches praised him not only for his athletic achievements but also for his character, leadership, and kindness. Luke’s commitment to excellence was evident in both his sports and academics, making him a role model for his peers.
After high school, Luke continued his athletic career at the University of Idaho, where he played college football while pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Today, he works as a Civil Engineer in Moscow, Idaho, and is raising a family with his wife, Rachel.
The other inductees include;
• Freddy Hamilton III (Craig): A basketball standout who helped lead Craig to a state championship and inspired his small community.
• Stan Harris (Palmer): A beloved music educator whose influence in band and choir continues to resonate across the state.
• Tobin Karlberg (Grace Christian): A basketball leader, two-time state player of the year, and mentor who now coaches at the collegiate level.
• Allisa Pili (Dimond): A 13-time state champion and national athlete of the year who now plays in the WNBA for the Minnesota Lynx.
• Justin Schwartzbauer (Colony): A three-sport standout and state champion hurdler whose leadership and talent earned him Alaska State Athlete of the Year honors.
• Nathan Schwartzbauer (Colony): A versatile four-sport athlete whose success in football, hockey, and track helped lead Colony to multiple team championships.
• Pauline Tufi (West Anchorage): A three-time Gatorade Softball Player of the Year and multi-sport star known for her leadership and volunteerism.
• Nathan Vereide (Whitestone): A legendary coach in Drama, Debate, and Forensics, whose teams earned 31 sweepstakes titles and national recognition.
• Kerry Weiland (Palmer): A pioneer in women’s hockey who competed with the U.S. Olympic team and earned a silver medal in 2010.
