A Dual Celebration of Skill and Scholarship
The 2026 Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) state soccer tournament concluded with a double distinction for the Juneau‑Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears. Both the boys and girls squads brought home Team Academic and Team Sportsmanship honors, underscoring the program’s commitment to excellence on and off the field.
The girls team capped its season by finishing fourth overall, a remarkable turnaround highlighted by a 2‑1 victory over Colony in the consolation championship match. Their triumph was punctuated by standout performances from Peyton Wheeler and Ayla Erickson, who were both selected to the girls All‑State Tournament team.
The boys, meanwhile, secured fifth place after a 4‑1 loss to West Anchorage in the third/fifth‑place game. Jesper Bennetsen and Sam Mazon earned spots on the boys All‑State Tournament team, with Mazon netting the Crimson Bears’ lone goal in that contest.
Offensive highlights continued with Wheeler scoring her 72nd career goal, assisted by Maddie Dale, while Kenzie Simonson contributed the second goal for the girls, set up by Gracie Snyder. Simonson’s impact was recognized when she was named ASAA Player of the Game and received the team’s Hard Hat award.
Academic achievement was equally impressive. The girls maintained a 3.74 grade point average, edging out the boys’ 3.61 GPA, a testament to the team’s balanced focus on scholarship and sport.
Coach Riley Schultz praised the collective effort, noting that “the dedication shown in the classroom mirrors the intensity we bring to each match.” The recognition from ASAA not only celebrates athletic prowess but also reinforces the school’s broader educational mission.