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ALL THINGS DASH Photos |
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2012 AKIAK DASH MUSHER FIELD Bib 1: Johnny Evan Age: 54
Johnny returns to the Akiak Dash this year and started racing eight years ago. Since then, he has participated in the Akiak Dash, Elia Sallafic, and Last Hurrah races. An interesting fact about Johnny is that his kennel of 18 dogs is named the “Spark Plug Kennel.” Despite cold weather being his biggest challenge he continues to race for the enjoyment of the sport. His lead dogs are Ang’up and Cereus.
Bib 2: Anthony Olick Age: 46
This is Anthony’s 12th year of mushing, but his first time participating in the Akiak Dash. He previously participated in the Bogus 150 and his greatest achievement is placing 2nd in the Bogus 150. The stress relief of mushing keeps him participating every year. He feels a strong connection with the dogs and loves feeling the power of the dogs during the race. His lead dogs are Blue and Bambam. He is sponsored by the kennel owner Richard Westdahl.
Bib 3: William Jackson Age: 35
William started mushing five years ago and has enjoyed participating in local races in the past. His biggest challenge this year is running the Akiak Dash. His lead dogs are Little Gird and Branbon. Kennel owners are John and Robert Snyder. His sponsor is Akiachak IRA.
Bib 4: Jesse Nickolie Age: 44
Jesse has been mushing for the past two years, but is not a rookie to the Akiak Dash. He enjoys the fresh air and spending time with his dogs. He is hoping his leaders, Blue eye and Dora will lead him to a victory this year. His biggest challenge this year has been constantly trying her best to stay on top. His sponsor is Akiachak IRA.
Bib 5:Ray Nose Age: 35
Ray is a professional musher and has been mushing for the past nine years. His Yup’ik name is Ket’aq. He enjoys competing in village sprint races and the Akiak Dash with his greatest achievement is winning the Akiak Dash. Ray enjoys working with his dogs, R.N. Kennels, and passing by his competition during races. The most difficult part in training for this race was that the weather got too cold for training sprint dogs. His sponsor is Akiachak IRA.
Bib 6: Ronald Underwood Age: 38
Ronald “claims” to have started mushing this past August; however he has been racing his whole life. He enjoys racing as a recreational sport and has participated in the Aniak 150 and Kusko 300 in the past. There are 28 dogs in his Underwood kennel with Prozax being the leader. His sponsors include Drs. Eggimann and McClure along with Hageland. Ronald’s would enjoy listening to the Rolling Stones as he finishes the race.
Bib 7: Schoaviller V. Wassilie Sr. Age: 45
Schoaviller has been racing for the past 20 years and has won several races. He won his first race in the 1996 Akiak Dash and placed second in the Bogus Creek the year after. In 2003, Schoaviller placed 15th in the Open North American Sprint Race. Other first place wins include the 2008 and 2010 Russian Mission Sprint races. His most recent achievement is the champion of the 2011 Eli Salafee Sprint. In addition to these races, Schoaviller has participated in several local sprint races in the past. Schoaviller enjoys racing with his competitive local mushers. Since Schoaviller’s grandfather and father both raised dogs, he grew up with them and is very comfortable with them. He thouroughly enjoys spending time with his dogs and training them. The cold weather this year has been a real challenge for Schoaviller in training his dogs. His sponsor is Akiack Native Community.
Bib 8: Jeffrey Chingliak Age:28
Twenty-eight year old Jeffrey Chingliak has been mushing for three years. He’s participated in the Kusko 300 in previous years, and makes his home in Akiachak, AK. Jeffrey races for the Chingliak kennel.
Bib 9: John George Age: 55
John George has been mushing for over 20 years and is no stranger to the K-300. He won the Bogus 150 in 2002, and placed 5th in last year’s Akiak Dash. He says he “heard dogs barking” when he was born, and enjoys taking good care of his team. His lead dogs this year are Missy and Roger, two of just 24 dogs in the Tag-Along Kennel. John’s greatest challenge this year has been getting enough miles in for training. His sponsor this year is the Akiachak IRA, and he recognizes the support of his family and local fisherman and fishcutters.
Bib 10: Gregory Larson Age: 39 Gregory has been mushing for 15 years, and says he does it for the fun and stress relief it provides. He owns his own kennel which houses 27 dogs, and his lead dogs are Joey and Buddy. Gregory won the Akiak Dash in 2004. Running his dogs was his greatest challenge this year, and his sponsor is the Bethel Sprint Club.
Bib 11: Maurice Andrews Age: 28
Bethel local Maurice has been mushing since high school, and has competed in a myriad of races- in Bethel, Russian Mission, Nunapitchuk, and Akiak. He finds mushing fun, enjoys being outdoors, and likes that it keeps him busy. He races for Simon Kennel, and his lead dogs are Gus and Birdie. Sponsoring Maurice this year are Bill and Jane Eggiman and GEO Care.
Bib 12: Gilbert Phillip Age: 27
Gilbert has been mushing for 6 years. He has competed in the Holiday Classic and placed 2nd in the 2011 Frank “Nuraufq” Kawagley Annual Race. He mushes recreationally and enjoys being with the dogs especially training yearlings. Mike Williams is the owner of the Williams Racing Kennel. Gilbert’s lead dogs are two females named Zuuk and Slim. His sponsors include Akiak Native Community, City of Akiak, Ko Karmiut Corporation, Mike & Maggie Williams, Bill Eisenbart, Mary Whittiker and Shawna Williams.
Bib 13: Casie Stockdale Age: 32
Casie is the only female musher in this year’s Akiak Dash. She has been mushing for 7 years and has participated in numerous races. She placed 1st in the 2010 Holiday Classic and the Larry Chase back to back. Other races include Bogus Creek 150, Akiak Dash, Aniak 150, GinGin 200, Chatanika Challenge 100, and local races in Bethel and the villages. Her kennel’s name is Lil’ Dipper with 12 dogs. Her lead dogs are Jura, Marion, and Oakley. Casie loves her dogs and being outside. The biggest challenge this year has been focusing on her career and going to school. Her sponsors are AVCP, Pete Kaiser, Alex Wasierski, Bob and Judy Wasierski, Fran Reich, Angela Denning-Barnes, Tim and Joann S. Andrew, Janet Kaiser, and Doug Dorland.
Bib 14: Joshua Klejka Age: 15
This is Joshua’s first race. He began mushing at age 9 and is the youngest musher in this year’s Akiak Dash. He has 24 dogs at the Klejka Family Kennel. His favorite thing about racing is that it’s a family activity. His lead dogs are Jody and Japan. Joshua biggest has been going through blizzards and training -45. His sponsors include Bethel Sprint Mushers Club,/John S, Klejka family, Angstmans, Dr. Bob Sept, Buchowski’s, Bill and Jan, Sam/Jess, and Justin Brandt. He would like to hear the song Final Count Down as he finishes the race.
Bib 15: Jim Napoka Age: 45
Jim is number 15 in this years Akiak Dash. He loves to run his team recreationally and professionally. From Tuluksak his family kennel is Spark Plug. Max and Spider lead his team of 18 dogs. His best finish was in 2008 when he crossed the line forth in the Akiak Dash. John Evan helps as his support team. He will be listening to hear Home as he crosses the finish line.
Bib 16: John Riley Sr. Age: 67
John has been running his dogs competitively since 1963. He is a familiar face to Kuskokwim Sled Racing including the Akiak Dash and Bogus Creek 150, where in finished First Place in 1989. He is supported by his wife Ruth, Scott and TJ Riley, Dorothy and Vern Chase, and Regina and Don Johnson. Nellie leads his team of 10 dogs from the JR Kennel. Sponsored by Hageland Aviation, Jerry Demientieff, Richard Westdahl. Sam Jackson, and John Simon, his biggest challenge is the extreme cold weather. His “Love of Dogs” and Winning keeps him running. Good luck John and Don’t Worry Be Happy. |
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