Sports

DRIBBLING— Nanook Levi Pederson faces down Kenneth Fox of the Bethel Warriors on Thursday, February 26, during last week’s game in Nome

Nome defeats Bethel in last two regular season basketball games

Last Thursday night, parents and fans packed the Den of the Nanooks for the boys basketball senior night and game against Bethel Regional High School. The Nanooks won against Bethel easily, 62-45....

TRAINING – Carol Seppilu spent months training for the ITI 350, pictured here on the Iditarod Trail just outside of Nome.

Carol Seppilu competes on the ITI 350 trail

Before she ever learned about the Iditarod Trail Invitational, or ITI, Carol Seppilu had a dream that she was out on the Iditarod Trail near the Happy River Steps. “When I looked around, there were...

NO MORE TRAIL— Iron Dog racers were stunned to see that the sea ice at Elim had broken off after strong winds whipped the region. With the sea ice went the trail, forcing the teams to break an unused overland trail to continue their trek to Nome.

After racing through grueling storms, Aklestad/Olstad win 2026 Iron Dog — Team Booth/Barber finish 8th

Iron Dog competitors battled deep snow and cold temperatures on the way into Fairbanks from Nome as they made their final push to the finish line from the halfway point in Nome, arriving Saturday...

HOMETOWN WELCOME – Steffen Booth and Evan Barber drive their snowmachines down front street on February 18, 2026. Booth and Barber were first to arrive in Nome on February 18, 2026.

Iron Dog riders battle storms, deep snow

Iron Dog racers battled through a series of intense winter storms on their way up the western coast, to Kotzebue and Nome. High winds and snow prompted a holdover in Kotzebue for a Wednesday morning...

Each Monday, Thursday and Friday, the Nome Winter Sports Association, NWSA for short, take elementary schoolers out skiing.

Nome Winter Sports Association open for business

Last Thursday afternoon, a circle of 16 third graders surrounded local ski “meister” Keith Conger in a back hallway of Nome Elementary School, watching as he demonstrated proper ski carrying...

FATHER AND SON— Kevin McDaniel-Farley and Chugie Farley get ready to ship their snowmachines out to Anchorage to participate in the 42nd Iron Dog, beginning on February 14 at Big Lake.

Nomeites compete in 2026 Iron Dog

This Saturday, February 14, 30 teams will leave Big Lake for the 42nd running of the Iron Dog snowmachine race. Three of those teams have ties to Nome. Veteran racer and two-time winner Mike Morgan...

FREE THROW— Nome-Beltz junior point guard Luella Tumulak shoots a free throw against Galena during the Husky Shootout at Kotzebue High School, January 30, 2026.

Lady Nanooks put on a show in Kotzebue

If basketball fans wanted to witness competitive games in Kotzebue last week, their best bet was to find out when the Nome-Beltz girls took the floor. Three of Nome’s four games came down to the wire...

RUCKUS AT THE REC— Kevin Ongtowasruk (32), Brayden Sparrs (4) and Cohen Booth (30) all go for the ball during the Ruckus at the Rec on Friday, January 23.

Lady Nanooks dominate South Anchorage at Ruckus at the Rec

Nome hosted the Wasilla varsity boys and South Anchorage varsity girls for the “Ruckus at the Rec” basketball tournament last weekend. Parents and community members packed the Rec Center, snacking on...

MATCHUP – Cohen Booth and Peyton Weyiouanna go for the ball during the Nanooks’ game against the Valdez Buccaneers at the Subway Showdown on Saturday, January 10.

Nome-Beltz boys win big at Subway Showdown

Basketball fans from near and far packed the Den of the Nanooks last weekend as the annual Subway Showdown basketball tournament was underway. Teams from Unalakleet, Valdez and Soldotna traveled to...

THE HEAT OF PLAY - Cassidy Martinson handles a Valdez serve with Roselynn Paniptchuk and Chevy Reader watching.

Nome-Beltz Volleyball team puts up a good fight at State 3A Championships

The Nome-Beltz Lady Nanooks volleyball put up a tough fight last week at the Alaska State 3A Championships. On Thursday, November 13, the team went up against number one seed in the state, Valdez,...