NYO 2025
Tune in to the RIVR this week as we bring you the energy from the 2025 Native Youth Olympics! The RIVR will have special news coverage Thursday through Saturday that includes daily recaps and social media commentary. Join us for Alaska’s Native Voice and hear from athletes, coaches and more voices from the NYO games.
Day 001:
The 2025 Senior Native Youth Olympics kicked off today, April 24, at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage with a powerful mix of competition and culture. Here’s a recap of Day 1:
The Toe Kick event made its long-awaited return after a decade-long hiatus. Athletes showed off their agility and precision with impressive results:
- Girls’ Gold: Abigal Semaken, Salamatof, 62″ 1m/60
- Boys’ Gold: Rafael Hernandez, Unalaska, 80″, 2m
Next came the Wrist Carry, a true test of strength, endurance, and mental resilience. In this event, athletes are carried across the floor suspended by just one wrist.
- Girls’ Gold: Eulalia Roman from Mat-Su with 322 feet, 6.5 inches
- Boys’ Gold: Decklan Nettleton, Unalaska, 444′ 7″
The day wrapped up with the Alaskan High Kick, where athletes kicked high for new heights.
- The Girls’ Gold went to Caelyn Carter of Mat-Su, who soared to 74 inches
- In the Boys’ Gold event, Matthew Chagluak of thrilled the crowd by connecting at 92 inches—just one inch shy of the all-time record. Officials raised the mark to 93 inches, but he came up just short.
The Native Youth Olympics continues Friday with four exciting events: the Scissor Broad Jump (which saw a record broken last year), along with the Eskimo Stick Pull, One-Hand Reach and Two-Foot High Kick.
Day 002:
The second day of the 2025 Senior Native Youth Olympics brought even more energy, resilience, and cultural pride to the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage on Friday, April 25.
The competition began with the Scissor Broad Jump, where athletes leapt for distance using a powerful combination of balance, coordination, and strength. It was a banner day for returning champions and rising stars:
Girls’ Gold: CC Carter, Mat-Su A, 28′ 9″
Boys’ Gold: Kolby Clark-Pruitt, Mt. Edgecumbe (MEHS), 37′ 7 1/4″
Next came the Inuit/Eskimo Stick Pull, a traditional test of grip strength and strategy. With firm stances and fierce focus, athletes battled it out:
Girls’ Gold: Qmia Ta’ala, Alaska Military Youth Academy (AMYA)
Boys’ Gold: Donovan Stephan-Standifer, Mt. Edgecumbe (MEHS)
The day continued with two of the most exciting and gravity-defying events—the One-Hand Reach and the Two-Foot High Kick—where athletes tested their vertical skill, balance, and explosive power. Results to follow as they become available.
With just one day left, the 2025 Senior Native Youth Olympics are shaping up to be a memorable celebration of tradition, athleticism, and Indigenous pride.
Stay tuned for Day 3 highlights!