Sports

The television show “American Ninja Warrior” enters its 11th season next month, and again will feature the Eskimo Ninja, Nick Hanson from Unalakleet. Nick visited Bethel last week to hang out with his buddy, fellow American Ninja Warrior, Nate DeHaan. These two comprise two thirds of all the Ninja Warriors to ever come from Alaska. KYUK sat down with the two ninjas to talk about how they became friends, and what it means for them to represent rural Alaska on the show.

Bethel welcomed home its own Iditarod champion in grand fashion Monday night. Musher Pete Kaiser returned to Bethel on the evening jet after winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. KYUK was at the airport as the town celebrated.

It was a long last leg, but Bethel rookie Victoria Hardwick crossed the Iditarod finish line in Nome on Monday afternoon. Davis Hovey with KNOM was there when Hardwick earned the race’s Red Lantern Award for finishing last.

Musher Jessica Klejka completed her rookie Iditarod run Friday night with 11 dogs. She finished in 31st position after spending 12 days, 7 hours, and 12 minutes on the trail. Klejka grew up driving dogs in Bethel and dreaming of completing The Last Great Race. Now that dream has come true, and Klejka says that nothing could have prepared her for the experience.

When Iditarod champion Pete Kaiser from Bethel accepted his race winnings Sunday, the crowd rose in a standing ovation, filling the Nome Recreational Center with applause. After three hours of ceremony and speeches, Kaiser was the final musher to take the stage.