The ninth class of the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame, which inducted its first honorees in 2007, will hold an induction ceremony for the new inductees on Thursday, March 5th in the Alaska Museum Auditorium.
The Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2015 inductees in the memorable event and premier sporting event categories feature central peninsula athletes, whose involvement impacted Alaska sport in a dramatic fashion. The Alaska Hall of Fame committee has selected three individuals and two category inductees for 2015. Friday’s ceremonies will also include the awarding of the Director’s Award, the Pride of Alaska Award, to KCHS senior Allie Ostrander. Voted on by the Alaska Hall board of directors, Ostrander will be honored for consistence excellence in athletic competition.
Michaela Hutchison-First Girls State Wrestling Championship: Memorable Event
The Memorable Event for the Class of 2015 celebrates the first girl winning a state co-ed wrestling championship; when in 2006 Michaela Hutchison, wrestling for Skyview High School, completed an undefeated run through the ASAA State Wrestling Championships at Chugiak High School, becoming the first female state champion in high school wrestling in Alaska and in the nation.
Michaela’s championship run capped a regular season which included 45 victories and 33 pins. Michaela is a member of a wrestling family dynasty which includes brothers and sisters who have made their name in Alaska wrestling.
Michaela, following her high school career, wrestled for Oklahoma City University, where she was a three-time national weight-class champion and a four-time All-American. Currently Michaela is a women’s wrestling coach at McKendree University in Illinois.
The state championship event of 2006 is the 13th memorable event selected to the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame.
Iron Dog Snowmachine Race: Premier Sports Event
The Iron Dog snowmachine race, now called the National Guard Iron Dog, has been named the 2015 inductee in the premier sporting event category. Seven-time champion Scott Davis, of Soldotna and 5-time champion Dusty Van Meter, of Kasilof, have been instrumental to the growing success and notoriety of the Iron Dog. Van Meter last won the Iron Dog in 2012 and 2013. Other locals Mark Carr and Cory Davis will represent the peninsula in the 2015 Iron Dog.
The Iron Dog for 2015 will incorporate a ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage on February 21st, 2015; more evidence of the growth and interest in the Iron Dog snowmachine race.
The Iron Dog snowmachine race is the ninth event honored into the hall of fame.
Individual Inductees:
Nancy Pease: Distance running, extreme running, record holder for Mount Marathon
Dick Mize: Anchorage Nordic Skiing trail builder and supporter
John Brown: 4-time All-State basketball from Ketchikan in the 1960’s
Class of 2015 Director’s Award
Allie Ostrander: female Pride of Alaska Award
High School
*3-time 4A State Cross Country Running Champion
*4A State Track & Field Champion: 3200M and 1600M
* State record holder in 3200M and 1600M
Non-High School
*National Championship victory at 2014 Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon
*Mount Marathon Junior Champion 2014 Overall Champion; Girls Champion 2007-2014
Erik Flora of Alaska Pacific University and track and cross-country: male Pride of Alaska Award
Aliy Zirkle dog musher from Two Rivers: Trajan Langdon Award, Leadership, Sportsmanship and Inspiration
Micheal Freiss, UAA track and cross country coach: Joe Floyd Award, Significant and Lasting Contribution to Alaska through Sports