Alaskan Olympians

Every four years, we get to watch world-class athletes and hear their heart-warming stories in the Olympics. Part of the fun is rooting for athletes with ties to home. We’ve had our share of Alaskans competing over the years.

The site Ranker.com lists these former Olympians from Alaska:

Alan Alborn, ski jumping

Callan Chythlook-Sifsof, snowboarding

Hilary Lindh, alpine skiing

James Southam, Nordic (cross country) skiing

Jay Jakkinen, biathlon

Jeff Pain, skeleton

Jessica Schultz, curling

Kikkan Randall, Nordic skiing

Pam Dreyer, ice hockey

Rosey Fletcher, snowboarding

Scott Gomez, ice hockey

Sports-Reference.com also lists:

Barbara Britch, Nordic skiing

Kelsey Campbell, wrestling

Don Clary, 5000 meter running

Sue Forbes, Nordic skiing

Megan Gerety, alpine skiing

Peter Lash, Jr., handball

Margie Mahoney, Nordic skiing

Diana Olson, rowing

Bill Spencer, Nordic skiing

Ryan Stassel, snowboarding

Kirsten Thorsness, rowing

Lynn von der Heide-Spencer-Galanes, Nordic skiing

Kerry Weiland, ice hockey

And we have a great group in our current Alaskan Olympians:

Corey Cogdell-Unrien won a bronze medal in trapshooting. Alev Kelter’s team (the first women’s rugby team at the Olympics) came in fifth place. Janay DeLoach is competing in the long jump, and Matt Emmons is competing in riflery later in the games. We are proud of all of them for their dedication and the inspiration they give us. May we all use their example as motivation to meet our own goals in life, whether athletic or otherwise.