The Native Youth Olympic Games (NYO) have come a long way since their inception in 1971, which featured only a dozen teams.
The 2025 games, held at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, saw an impressive turnout of 53 teams, representing various regions across the state.
Approximately 450 athletes showcased their rich blend of athleticism intertwined with cultural traditions, competing from Thursday afternoon through Saturday evening.
This year marked a significant milestone for the Alaska Military Youth Academy (AMYA), as nearly two dozen cadets formed their own team for the first time.
Coach Rachel Ries expressed enthusiasm about the new team, stating, “We like it a lot because we’re able to bring more athletes and give more kids an opportunity to show up and perform and show us what they can do.”
This addition brought a newfound sense of pride to the academy as they participated in the games.
Unlike traditional high school students, AMYA cadets face stringent criteria for participating in extracurricular activities.
They are required to maintain above-satisfactory grades, uphold a clean disciplinary record, and demonstrate proficiency in their chosen events.
Coach Ries noted, “It’s important to them and sets them apart.”
While the academy provides various competitions for cadets, NYO represents their only team sport opportunity.
Co-head coach Justin Burns highlighted the effort needed to earn a position on the NYO team, noting, “They’re being rewarded for being above the rest, so that’s awesome for them.”
Previously, AMYA was limited to sending a mere four or five qualifying athletes to the Anchorage team.
With their new team, they proudly sent 19 cadets this year.
To graduate from the academy, cadets are expected to cover eight core components, including leadership, teamwork, and community service—values that resonate throughout NYO participation.
Coach Ries remarked, “This kind of hits all of those metrics” as it allows the cadets to bond and support each other while determining event participation.
It was a learning experience not just for the cadets but also for the coaches, both of whom had no prior NYO experience before assembling the team just two months ago.
Burns, a former track coach from Indiana, was encouraged to dive into coaching NYO, despite this being a new frontier for him.
He noted, “I love coaching, no doubt.”
The key to success for the AMYA team lay in the collective experiences of cadets who had participated in NYO at their respective schools prior to this event.
Burns emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “We asked some of the athletes, ‘Who has done this before?’ and…they will teach people how.”
This team consisted of cadets from diverse locations, including Anchorage, Juneau, Eagle River, and Fairbanks, tying them together through shared experiences.
Both coaches, being military veterans, carried vital lessons from their service that encouraged a team-first approach.
They worked alongside their cadets, fostering a culture where everyone had something to contribute.
This enabled cadets to join the team for various personal reasons, with motivations ranging from family pride to simply having fun.
Cadet Miracle Auvaa, who moved to Alaska from American Samoa at 8 years old, expressed his aspiration to represent his family through NYO participation.
“I joined NYO so I could show people and represent my last name,” he stated.
Fellow first-time competitor, Cadet Taevaughn Tom, echoed similar sentiments, sharing, “I just joined NYO to have fun and just represent the academy.”
For another cadet, Orlando Marchetti of Anchorage, this marked his first time competing at the junior or senior level after familiarity gained through gym classes.
“I wanted to do NYO just for the fun of it,” he said, embracing the playful spirit of the games.
Meanwhile, Cadet Anjula Geffe from Eagle River aimed to be “the best of the best at AMYA,” fueling her competitive drive.
As the games unfolded, first-time competitors like Unalaska junior Rafael Hernandez and veteran Abigail Semaken made their mark in the toe kick event, demonstrating the blend of experience and fresh talent.
Hernandez, a determined rookie, achieved a successful jump of 80” to claim first place in the senior boys division.
Reflecting on his achievement, he noted, “I worked so hard; I didn’t think I’d get this far but we got this far.”
Encouraged by his science teacher, who doubled as his coach, Hernandez expressed gratitude for the camaraderie and support he encountered throughout the competition.
“It’s a tight-knit community,” he said, reveling in the passion for tradition that NYO embodies.
Semaken, on the other hand, brought years of experience to the table, marking a significant personal best in the girls’ toe kick with a jump of 62” 1m, her highest-ever finish in the event.
She was inspired to start competing primarily by observing her older siblings, fostering a sense of family continuity in competition.
Another notable performer was Anatoly Fomin from Unalaska, who established a new state NYO record in the one-hand reach with a mark of 70”.
Alaska Military Youth Academy cadet Qmia Ta’ala also made headlines by winning the girls Inuit/Eskimo stick pull.
The results of the 2025 Native Youth Olympics displayed incredible performances across various events.
In the toe kick event, female competitors were led by Semaken, with notable placings from Kimberly Butler and Mila Neely.
The boys’ toe kick saw Hernandez take top honors, followed closely by Drey Schaeffer and Anakin Wassillie.
In the wrist carry, Eulalia Roman shined among girls, while Decklan Nettleton led the boys.
CC Carter dominated the Alaskan high kick, earning first in the girls’ division, while Kaidon Parker clinchedfirst for the boys.
The scissor broad jump showcased strong competitors, with CC Carter again leading the girls and Kolby Clark-Pruitt making a name for himself in the boys’ division.
Qmia Ta’ala’s victory in the Inuit/Eskimo stick pull remains one of the highlights, while Anatoly Fomin’s impressive achievement in the one-hand reach sets a new standard for future participants.
The excitement and vigor witnessed at this year’s games not only reflected the spirit of the competition but also celebrated the blend of athletic capability and cultural heritage that defines the Native Youth Olympic Games.
The growth in participation and enthusiasm promises an even brighter future for this beloved tradition in Alaska.
image source from：https://www.adn.com/sports/high-school-sports/2025/04/26/alaska-military-youth-academy-debuts-its-own-team-at-2025-native-youth-olympic-games/
