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Clayson Wiley, North Pole, AK, 148.4 lbs., May 26, Dan Orion

VALDEZ, Alaska – The Valdez Halibut Derby kicked off May 19^th and Valdez Fish Derbies Weigh-In Clerk Joanne Winney said there were 11 fish weighed in the first week of the derby. Winney said that was a slow start, but all 11 fish weighed in over 72 pounds. On Saturday, 16-year-old Clayson Wiley of North Pole reeled in the largest fish so far, a 148.4 pound halibut aboard the Dan Orion. Wiley said, “My parents approached me a month ago and said, “Hey you want to go to Valdez? I said “no” and they said “great, we’re going on the 25^th”. Wiley’s parents bought him a seat on a charter and a derby ticket and he reeled in the largest fish he has ever caught.

In an interview following the big catch, Wiley showed up sporting the Valdez Fish Derbies fleece jacket he won for the 1^st place weekly prize and talked about his day fishing. “I grabbed a chicken tender and things went to chaos” said Wiley. “I was deathly afraid while reeling it in, (I thought) it was going to be a little bitty one. I didn’t want to struggle that much for a 15 pound fish”, said Wiley.

On Sunday, members of the Alaska military visited Valdez and the number of boats going out for halibut dramatically increased. The boats taking out anglers Sunday did not profit and donated their time to Military Appreciation Day. As part of Military Appreciation Weekend, the City of Valdez coordinates a program where boat owners donate halibut charters so first and second year Alaska-stationed military members can enjoy a day of halibut fishing. The City of Valdez also hosts military appreciation picnics and barbeques open to visitors and the community.

Charter Captains in Valdez are preparing for a busy season as anglers have high hopes of being the winner of the $10,000 first place prize in the Valdez Halibut Derby. A ticket costs $10 for the day or $50 for the season and must be purchased before heading out on the water. Ticket sale locations can be found at www.valdezfishderbies.com. The limit for halibut in Prince William Sound is still two per person, and one of those fish can be no longer than 29 inches in length. Halibut weigh-ins are conducted at the derby shack, located kitty corner from the Harbormasters office.

In addition to the grand prize of $10,000, 2^nd place prize of $3,000 and 3^rd place of $1,500 for catching the largest three fish, halibut derby anglers can also win weekly 1^st and 2^nd place prizes in the derby. The Halibut Hullabaloo is slated for June 8^th through 17^th. The angler catching the largest halibut during this period will win $1,000 in addition to the daily prizes.

This year, the Valdez Fish Derbies will also hold a drawing for $5,000 cash and everyone who purchases a ticket will be in the raffle, whether they go fishing or not. Every daily derby ticket purchased equals one raffle ticket, and each season ticket purchased equals five raffle tickets for the $5,000 drawing at the end of the season.

The Kids Pink Salmon Derby has been set for Saturday, July 21^st and will feature 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place prizes in four different age divisions. The Kids derby is free and open to kids age 5 to 16 years of age. The Silver Salmon Derby in Valdez will again boast a $10,000 first place prize and daily prizes and runs July 21^stthrough September 2^nd. The Annual Valdez Women’s Derby is slated for Saturday, August 11^th with an opening ceremony Friday, August 10^th and the closing ceremony Saturday night.

There will be a $500 prize for the vendor and operator selling the winning derby ticket in both derbies. For more information on the Valdez Derbies, visit: www.valdezfishderbies.com

Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders

1^st           Clayson Wiley                    North Pole, AK               148.4 lbs.                May 26                 Dan Orion

2^nd                Brian Auvil                           Fairbanks, AK                     107.4lbs.              May 27                 Dan Orion

3^rd           Megan Bauer                     Two Rivers, AK  105.2 lbs.             May 27             Halibut Grove

Halibut Derby – Weekly Winners – Week #1

1st          Clayson Wiley                    North Pole, AK 148.8 lbs.             May 26                 Dan Orion

2nd        John Mahle                        Gillette, WY                        91.2 lbs.                May 24                 Lena Claire

Representative Rauscher presented a citation from the Alaska House and Senate to Coach Langseth and players Linnea and Sydney recognizing Valdez High School as the 2018 State 3A Volleyball champion.

State Track and Field meet – Coach Walker and Coach Chadwick

Kassi Howard 3rd Place High Jump

Becky Walker – One of the highlights of this weekend’s track meet was Kassi Howard’s high jump of 5’1”.  That jump earned her a 3^rd place medal and also broke her own VHS school record of 5’.  Normally a jump like that would be a guaranteed 1^st place, but all three girls left in the high jump that day were jumping the best they’ve ever had and each set new  personal records.  All three however, were not able to complete the 5’2” inch jump, so the medal determination came down to scratches (misses) on the previous jumps that day.

Other state medal winners were:

• Dustin Woods 3^rd place in the high jump with a 5’10 inch jump.
• Girls 4X100 3^rd place, with a time of 55.25–Jade Watts, Sophia Palomar, Katie Wadsworth, and Kassi Howard
• Girls 4X200 3^rd place, with a time of 1:55.71—Jade Watts, Sophia Palomar, Katie Wadsworth, and Kassi Howard.

These girls work together like a well-oiled machine.  In fact it’s difficult sometimes to see when the baton exchange happens because there is no disruption of the sprint!

     Although they didn’t medal, several other team members had some great moments.  Sophomore, Owen Chadwick made it into the finals of both the 100m and 400m races.  He finished 8^th in the 100m and 5^th in the 400m, just a fraction of a second from a 4^th place medal.  Expect to see great things from him in the future.  He has talent, the desire to do well and the persistence, drive, and self-motivation to make it happen.  He is one of the hardest working kids I’ve coached.

     Hayden Howard, a freshman, qualified for finals in the 200m on the first day of the meet and finished 7^th place overall.  He has set personal records at almost every meet this season and I believe with his dedication and hard work, he will continue to excel next season.

     Jeffrey Prevost, another one of our freshman that qualified for State, ran the 110m Hurdles.  He finished strong and set a personal record of 20.70 seconds.  As his form improves, Jeffrey is on his way to becoming a pretty outstanding hurdler.

     The boys 4X200—Hayden Howard, Kyle Sodergren, Kyler LaBonte, and Owen Chadwick placed 5^th, again just a fraction of a second outside of medal range at 1:39.68.

     In the 4X100—Hayden Howard, Kyle Sodergren, Kyler LaBonte, and Luke Baczuk took 6^th place overall with a time of 48.63.  All four had a great race with clean hand-offs and strong sprints.

     Another freshman, Marianne Prax, qualified and competed in the 300m Hurdles, finishing with a time of 59.77. Running hurdles takes a lot of strength, speed, and courage, and despite taking a few spills, Marianne continues to get out there again and again and run it faster.

Destiny Gray is another team member that runs both the 100m and the 300m Hurdles.  Destiny advanced to the finals in the 300m Hurdles and finished in 5^th place overall with a personal record of 53.61.  Destiny also competed in High Jump and finished 7^th with a jump of 4’6”.

It was a beautiful, sunny weekend (something we hadn’t encountered yet this season) and the Bucs competed well.  They ran their hearts out, gave every event 100 % effort, showed great sportsmanship, and supported and cheered each other on.  It was a pleasure to coach them and see their hard work pay off.

Girls 4X200 3rd Place Katie, Jade, Sophia, Kassi

Dustin Woods 3rd Place High Jump

 

Hayden 200

 

Handoff Sophia to Katie

 

Destiny Hurdles

Valdez, Alaska – The Totem Hotel & Suites rose from the ashes and opened their doors at a Grand Opening Ceremony in Valdez Saturday Night. The Totem Inn and Restaurant was lost to a devastating fire in 2016. As the flames were extinguished, owners Mike Williams and Connie Ballow became aware that their life work had crumbled to ashes.

While many would walk away from such a devastating loss, Mike and Connie, who believe strongly in the economic future of Valdez, set out to rebuild the hotel in the picturesque rural community of Valdez surrounded by the majestic Chugach Mountains. Important to their plan was to using Alaskan contractors, Alaskan Labor, and Alaskan materials.

After two years enduring unpredictable, and at times harsh, Alaskan weather conditions the Hotel has risen from the ashes. Not only is the Hotel rebuilt by Alaskans, and succeeding in their plan using all Alaskan materials, but the Hotel comes with three floors of luxury and modern design. Through sheer perseverance and the love for Valdez, and Alaska, owners Mike and Connie have restored the Totem beyond its former glory.

“The upgrade of the hotel is significant, and we’re really proud of it”, said Connie Ballow. “It’s about pride of ownership”, said Mike Williams. “We had three choices (after the fire). One choice was to re-build like it was, the other choice was to take the money and run and leave a big hole in the ground and the third choice was to make it bigger and better”. Ballow and Williams chose to adopt a new business model, and re-brand as the Totem Hotel. The hotel features 65 guest rooms, a great room for events, a fitness room, pool, and the distinction of being the only hotel in Valdez with an elevator.

“We’re taking a leap of faith in both Alaska and Valdez”, said Williams. The hotel opened for the Valdez Fly In and Airshow on Mother’s Day weekend and all the rooms were full so the initial response has been excellent. The Mayor of Valdez Jeremy O’Neill officially cut the ribbon at the Hotel’s Grand Opening Saturday night and Valdezeans and visitors alike came by to take a tour of the hotel and wish the owners well.