KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
One athlete, one coach and one historic moment from Kodiak sports history are on the ballot of the Class of 2011 candidates for the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame.
The 2001 Kodiak High School basketball team’s state championship win over East Anchorage High, which capped an undefeated season is nominated under the sports "Moment" category. Four-time state cross country running champion Kristi Klinnert and Coach Joe Floyd, are nominated in the "People" category. No Kodiak sporting "Event" was nominated in that third category this year.
The general public can vote online at the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame website.
Floyd, who came to Kodiak more than 50 years ago, was modest upon hearing of his nomination:
— (Sports 1 6 sec "Any recognition that comes … that support those programs.")
Floyd was a coach and athletic director for years, and founded the Christmas Basketball Tournament that now bears his name.
He recalls the 2001 basketball championship, and credits coach Amy Fogle for her leadership of the boy’s team:
— (Sports 2 36 sec "We had the four pygmies … came out just rosy.")
Klinnert, now Waythomas, is a teacher in Anchorage, whose name still appears in the sports pages for her running skills. Coach Floyd recalls someone who was a guiding influence in Klinnert’s life back in her school days during the mid-1980s:
— (Sports 3 28 sec "If I was asked, I’d say one … and encourage her.")
Other notables on the list this year include cross-country skier Kikkan Randall and Iditarod mushers Dick Wilmarth, who won the first race in 1973, and Libby Riddles, the first woman to win it in 1985.
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