The Unalaska Raiders traveled to Seward last week to compete on their first Native Youth Olympics (NYO) competition for the year. They had a strong showing during three day event, March 26-28. Eight athletes traveled with Genee Shaishnikoff, who is the coach of the girls’ team. She said, “It went very well. This was our first invite to Seward, they were very friendly. They had some state judges there that were very helpful and they had helpful tips for our students on how they could improve.” There was a senior NYO night where they introduced new games. Recent UCSD graduate Connor McConnell participated and represented Unalaska. He took for 1^st place in the Arm Pull event.

Ashley Robinson took 3^rd place for One Arm and 2^nd place for Alaska High Kick. Alyssa Roxas placed first in the Indian Stick Pull. Amanda Magnusen took first place in Seal Hop. Jhiddle Sugabo bagged 4^th place for Eskimo Stick Pull. Kim Gumera won 1^st place in One Foot, Two Foot, Alaska High Kick, and One Arm Reach, and 2^nd place in Seal Hop and Eskimo Stick Pull. Michael Willis was 1^st place in Eskimo Stick Pull and 1^st -5^th for Wrist Carry. Neil Bucaneg won 1^st place in Kneel Jump, Toe Kick, Indian Stick Pull, Seal Hop, and 2^nd place in Wrist Carry, 3^rd place in one foot, 4^th place in Alaska High Kick, and 5^th place in Stick Pull. Darell Laforteza placed 1^st -5^th for Wrist Carry as a carrier.

The team has a few more practices before they leave for State NYO. For the junior high participants, this Friday is their last day. State competitions will be in the Alaska Airlines Center on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus on April 16-18^th. There are 9 varsity girls and 3 junior high girls on the NYO team, coached by Genee Shaishnikoff. For the boys’ team, there are 20 varsity boys and 5 junior high boys, coached by Steven Gregory. In Seward, they were able to enter four athletes in an event but for State, only one student per school can enter an event, except for Wrist Carry, Toe Jump and Arm Reach. The coaches have not announced who will be competing next week.

Coach Shaishnikoff said that the season flew by fast. “Being a first time coach for NYO, everything was kind of overwhelming for me. But with help from Babbi Goodwin, the previous coach and from the students and Coach Gregory, I am getting the hang of it and am looking forward to seeing what State is all about. Qagaasakung. Thank you.”

There will be a potluck for the athletes when they return from State competitions.