Anchorage Daily News

Five Alaskans gained entry in the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame today, ranging from prominent Olympians to a nearly forgotten Southeast basketball player who lifted the University of Washington decades ago.

In addition, two moments seared into collective memory of Alaska sports fans became part of the hall as well as one ongoing event, the World Eskimo Indian Olympics.

Today's additions made up the third class of the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame.

"There was a great debate," hall of fame president Harlow Robinson said at the induction announcement, "and we're very, very pleased with the results."

Individuals

• Red Boucher, founder of the Fairbanks Goldpanners, who also helped start the Alaska Baseball League;

• Nina Kemppel, the four-time Olympic nordic skier who won Seward's Mount Marathon foot race nine times;

• Wally Leask, a phenomenal Southeast basketball player from Metlakatla in the 1940s;

• Hilary Lindh, the Juneau alpine skier who won an Olympic silver medal in the downhill at the 1992 Winter Games;

• Legendary dog musher and adventurer Norman Vaughan.

Sports Moments

• Doug Herron running 1:49.2 in the 800 meters as a Bartlett High senior, best in the nation.

• First winter ascent of Mount McKinley in 1967.

Ongoing Event

World Eskimo Indian Olympics

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