The Alaska Sports Hall of Fame announced the three girls finalists for the 2020 Pride of Alaska Youth Award.
They are Seward swimmer Lydia Jacoby, Fairbanks runner and skier Kendall Kramer and Delta Junction track sprinter Hailey Williams.
The winner will be announced May 6 at 2 p.m. ADT by Alaska Sports Hall of Fame executive director Harlow Robinson via Facebook Live on the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Facebook page.
Past winners include Anchorage’s Alissa Pili in 2018 and Kramer in 2019.
2020 FINALISTS
Lydia Jacoby
Lydia Jacoby, Seward – Just a 16-year-old sophomore at Seward High, Jacoby is already a two-time state record holder in the 100-yard breaststroke. This season she posted a blazing time of 1:00.61 to break her own state record. With a time of 1:10.45, she qualified by a half-second to compete in the 100 breast stroke at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, which were canceled due to COVID-19.
Kendall Kramer
Kendall Kramer, Fairbanks – As a runner, the West Valley High star won her third straight cross-country running state title and swept the 1,600 and 3,200 events in track and field. As a skier, she was named to the U.S. Ski Team’s Developmental Team, was state Skimeister and competed at World Juniors. Kramer collected 14 state championships — six in track, five in skiing and three in cross-country running. She also won the Mount Marathon junior girls title in 2018. Kramer won the ASHOF Pride of Alaska girls award in 2019.
Hailey Williams
Hailey Williams, Delta Junction – Williams swept the 100-, 200- and 400-meter Alaska D2 state titles in 2019 and was named the Gatorade Alaska Girls Track & Field Girls Player of the Year, a first for tiny Delta Junction High School. She maintained an A average in the classroom while winning seven state track titles before her senior year was canceled due to COVID-19. Williams placed fifth in 200 and 12th in the 100 at New Balance Nationals. She has signed with NCAA D1 Duke.
The Pride of Alaska Youth Award honors consistent excellence in athletic competition. It rewards an athlete or team that not only excelled in sports but did so with integrity and sportsmanship. Recipients must be in high school or younger at time of selection.
HONORABLE MENTION
Hannah Hogenson, Anchorage – The South starting goaltender was named to the U18 U.S. National women’s hockey team. The senior is a USA Today High School All-American and has signed with NCAA D1 Bemidji State.
Elaina Mack, King Cove – The basketball star was voted AABC Class 1A Girls Player of the Year for the second time after averaging 40 points as a senior. She eclipsed the 50-point mark four times and has signed with UAA.
Hahni Johnson, Anchorage – The Dimond volleyball standout won Gatorade Alaska Player of the Year honors for the second straight season. The all-state setter compiled 712 assists, 300 digs and 221 kills as a senior.
Kendyl Carson, Juneau – Carson led the Juneau-Douglas basketball team in scoring at close to 20 points a pop. The senior all-state guard signed with NCAA D1 Pepperdine.
Destiny Reimers, Anchorage – Reimers became the first basketball player in ACS history to win Gatorade Alaska Player of the Year after taking home the 2020 girls honor. She led ACS to the 2019 state title and signed with UAF.