Schumacher, Faulkner, Clendaniel and Leveque win Directors Awards as Alaska's top athletes

Six people and one team are the winners of the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame's 2026 Directors' Awards, presented annually in recognition of the best in Alaska sports.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:36pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting various Alaska sports scenes and achievements, including cross-country skiing, cycling, wrestling, and hockey, rendered in a vibrant color palette.The Directors' Awards honor Alaska's top athletes and contributors, celebrating the state's rich sports culture and the dedication of those who have put it on the map.Homer Today

The Alaska Sports Report announced the winners of the 2026 Directors' Awards, honoring the top athletes in the state. The honorees include Olympic medalist Gus Schumacher, cyclist Kristen Faulkner, wrestler Sobina Clendaniel, skier Jack Leveque, coach Jan Buron, basketball player Elaina Mack, and the Kenai Ice Hawks girls 12U hockey team.

Why it matters

The Directors' Awards recognize the exceptional talent and achievements of Alaska's athletes, coaches, and teams across a variety of sports. These awards highlight the state's vibrant sports culture and the inspiring stories of individuals who have made significant contributions through their dedication and sportsmanship.

The details

Gus Schumacher won the Pride of Alaska (men) award after winning an Olympic silver medal in cross-country skiing. Kristen Faulkner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, took the Pride of Alaska (women) award after overcoming a season-ending injury. Sobina Clendaniel, a 16-year-old wrestler from Seward, won the Pride of Alaska (youth girls) award for her success at national tournaments. Jack Leveque, a junior at Service High, won the Pride of Alaska (youth boys) award for his achievements in cross-country skiing at the state, national, and world levels. Jan Buron, the founder and head coach of the Alaska Winter Stars ski club, received the Joe Floyd Award for his significant and lasting contributions to Alaska sports. Elaina Mack of King Cove won the Trajan Langdon Award (adult) for her loyalty to the UAA Seawolves basketball team, and the Kenai Ice Hawks girls 12U hockey team won the Trajan Langdon Award (youth) for becoming the first all-girls team to win a co-ed state championship.

  • Schumacher won the Olympic silver medal in February 2026.
  • Faulkner returned to action in February 2026 at the Pan Am Games and added another gold medal in March 2026 at the road continental championships in Colombia.
  • Clendaniel won medals at the USA Wrestling women's national championships in April 2026, the U17 Pan-Am Team Trials in March 2026, and the U.S. Marine Corps Junior National championships in the summer of 2025.
  • Leveque won the state high school cross-country championships in 2026, earned three medals at the U.S. Junior National championships in 2026, and placed 10th at the World Junior Championships in Norway in 2026.

The players

Gus Schumacher

A 25-year-old cross-country skier from Anchorage who won an Olympic silver medal in 2026, the third Olympic medal for a U.S. man in the sport.

Kristen Faulkner

A cyclist from Homer who won three gold medals at the recent Pan-Am Games in South America and is a two-time Olympic gold medalist.

Sobina Clendaniel

A 16-year-old wrestler from Seward who has collected three medals at three national wrestling tournaments in the last calendar year.

Jack Leveque

A junior at Service High in Anchorage who won state and national championships in cross-country skiing and placed 10th at the World Junior Championships in Norway.

Jan Buron

The founder and head coach of the Alaska Winter Stars ski club in Anchorage, who has helped numerous athletes reach the Olympics and has been honored four times as the U.S. Ski & Snowboard coach of the year.

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What they’re saying

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— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.