Alaskan Athletes Shine at State Sports Awards

Kristen Faulkner, a cyclist from Homer, and Gus Schumacher, a skier from Anchorage, were honored this week as Pride of Alaska winners at the state’s Sports Hall of Fame Directors Awards. The award recognizes top athletes from across the state, and both Faulkner and Schumacher earned their spots in a competitive field. Schumacher, who is 25 years old, has already made history by becoming the third American man to win an Olympic medal in cross‑country skiing. He has received this award before, winning it in 2024, 2020, and as a boy in 2018. This makes him the first athlete to win it four times. Faulkner, who recently captured three gold medals at the Pan‑American Games in South America, is receiving her second consecutive Pride of Alaska award. Her performance has put Homer on the map for Olympic cycling talent. Other winners include Sobina Clendaniel, a wrestler from Seward who collected three medals at national youth tournaments last year, and Jack Leveque, also from Anchorage. Leveque defended his state titles in both classic and freestyle cross‑country races, earning a second straight Skimeister title and a junior national championship in Wisconsin.In addition to the Pride of Alaska awards, several other recognitions were given. Jan Buron, founder and head coach of the Alaska Winter Stars ski club, received the Joe Floyd Award for significant contribution to Alaskan sports. She helped develop athletes like Schumacher and Leveque. Elaina Mack of the UAA Seawolves earned the Trajan Langdon Award for adult leadership, integrity, and sportsmanship. She stayed with the team after a coaching change and helped lead them to a winning record, scoring 434 points. The youth recipients of the Langdon Award were the Kenai Ice Hawks girls’ 12U hockey team, who became the first all‑girls squad to win a title in the coed 12UB Alaska State Championship Hockey Tournament. Alaska Sports Hall of Fame executive director Harlow Robinson said, “Every year we find so many talented athletes across our state from a wide range of sports. ” The awards highlight the depth and diversity of Alaskan athletic talent.