Eleven youths from Cordova traveled to Anchorage the last weekend of February to participate in the Junior Native Youth Olympics competition.
Roughly 680 kids participated in the weekend event, held at the University of Alaska’s Wells Fargo Sports Complex Feb. 22-25.
Cordova’s team originally planned on taking the ferry. However, due to the most recent cancellation of ferry service throughout the remainder of February, they were forced to fly to Anchorage, which hiked up the cost of the trip.
“We were lucky that we have sponsors,” Coach Nick Tiedeman said.
Taylor Tiedeman placed first in the arm pull, beating out at least 100 other girls who were competing, while
Willow Tiedeman placed second in the same event.
Chris Sandoval Fernandez, who competed against 80 or 90 boys, placed fifth in the wrist carry with a time of 28.25 seconds.
The Senior Native Youth Olympics will take place April 25-27 at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage.
Practices for SNYO started Feb. 28 and will continue every Tuesday and Thursday until April 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Mt. Eccles Elementary School gym. Kids grades 7-12 are welcome to participate.
For more information, contact Native Village of Eyak Family Program Coordinator Jessica Weaver at 907-424-7738.
