David Registe carried the flag for Dominica and Alev Kelter helped carry the U.S. women's rugby team to three straight victories, giving Alaska a presence at the Pan Am Games in Toronto.
Registe, who was born and raised in Alaska but competes for the Caribbean island his parents are from, was Dominica's flag-bearer at Friday's opening ceremonies. One of four athletes on the Dominica team, he'll compete in the long jump July 21.
Kelter, a multisport star at Chugiak High and the University of Wisconsin, was the leading scorer for the U.S. women's rugby sevens team in two of the squad's three pool-play matches Saturday.
The women's teams from the United States and Canada both posted 3-0 records on the opening day of competition, with the Americans beating Brazil 26-7, Colombia 40-0 and Argentina 54-7.
Kelter was the leading scorer against Brazil with six points on three conversions and was the top scorer against Argentina with 15 points on five conversions and one try. In the win over Colombia, she furnished six points on three conversions.
Kelter and her teammates take on Mexico and Canada in matches Sunday. Depending on how they fare, they could wind up in the gold-medal match.
Kelter, who is from Eagle River, has emerged as a top player since joining the USA Rugby team a year ago. She helped the team qualify for next year's Summer Olympics in Brazil and is a leading contender to win a spot on that team, which will be named next year. Lorrie Clifford, who is also from Eagle River, trains with the national team, although she didn't make the Pan Am roster.
Rugby sevens is making its Pan Am debut this week, with medal games scheduled for Sunday. The sport is one of 36 being contested through July 26 in Toronto, where 6,136 athletes from 41 nations from the Americas and Caribbean are competing. In terms of athlete participation, it's the biggest multi-sport event ever held in Canada, eclipsing even the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
It's the second Pan Am Games for Registe, who grew up in Palmer, won an NCAA Division II championship at UAA and currently lives and trains in Anchorage.
He won the bronze medal for Dominica at the 2011 games in Guadalajara, Mexico, and was upgraded to silver when the gold medalist tested positive for a banned substance. He owns one of three Pan Am medals won by Dominica athletes since the games began in 1951.
Last summer at a meet in Mexico City. Registe jumped a personal-best 26 feet, 5.5 inches.
Joining Kelter and Registe in Toronto is a third athlete with Alaska ties. Ryan Anderson was an NCAA All-American for the UAF riflery team earlier this year and hopes to become the third Nanook to earn a Pan Am medal.
Anderson, who is from Great Falls, Virginia, capped his senior year in Fairbanks by capturing second place in smallbore at the NCAA championships. He'll compete in the 50-meter three-position event July 19.
UAF already boasts two Pan Am medal winners – Matt Rawlings won gold in 10-meter air rifle in 2011 and Melissa Malloy took home silver in 10-meter air rifle in 2003.
The Pan Am Games are held every four years, one year before the Summer Olympics.