Girdwood runner Ava Earl recorded one of the fastest 6-kilometer times in Alaska history in 19 minutes, 42 seconds — a scintillating pace of 5:17 per mile — at the Big Ten Championships.
The former standout runner at South placed 14th overall and was the top runner for Northwestern University.
Earl, a senior, earned all-Big Ten honors for the first time in her career and helped the Wildcats to a 7th place finish n the women’s team standings out of 18 teams.
Her performance garners her our Alaska Athlete of the Week honors.
Also receiving consideration:
- Toby Carlson – The Anchorage Wolverines forward’s robust rookie season continued over the weekend. The 18-year-old delivered the game-winning goal at the 2-minute mark of the third period in the Wolverines’ 4-1 home win versus the Chippewa Steel.
- Matt DeMaster – The Wasilla High junior defenseman provided a highlight reel assist on Wasilla’s first goal of the season in Saturday’s 2-1 nonconference triumph over South at Ben Boeke Arena.
- Elaina Mack – The UAA basketball player out of King Cove pumped in a career-high point total on back-to-back nights in consecutive wins over Simpson. The junior guard scored 20 points Friday and then pumped in 27 points Saturday.
- Jeremy Swayman – The Boston Bruins goalie delivered a much-needed shootout for Boston and himself on Sunday in the Bruins’ 2-0 home victory over Seattle. The 23-save performance marked Swayman’s first of the season and fourth of his career.
- Obed Vargas – The Seattle Sounders starting midfielder from Anchorage scored the decisive shootout goal in the seventh round to key a 2-1 MLS playoff win over Houston after a 1-1 tie in regulation.
The Alaska Athlete of the Week is selected by a panel each Monday
Have a candidate in mind? Email us your nomination: info@alaskasportshall.org.
