ALASKA SPORTS TALK
AST is back with Episode 4, featuring Anchorage Wolverines GM Merit Waldrop as he reflects on his journey through Alaska hockey—from UAA and the Aces to leading the Wolverines. He shares his approach to building a team around character and hard work, looks back at last season’s strong finish and close playoff exit, and discusses the roster decisions ahead. The crew also previews the Wolverines’ September 11–12 showdown with Team USA’s U-17 squad at Sullivan Arena, alongside Alaska State Hockey Hall of Fame festivities. Merit explains what makes Anchorage a compelling destination for players and why hosting some of the nation’s top young hockey talent is a special opportunity for Alaska fans. On the football field, the conversation covers Bartlett’s resurgence under coach Hans Diemer, its upcoming rivalry clash with East, Lathrop versus Palmer, and the Battle of the Bridge between Chugiak and Eagle River. Plus, Kodiak celebrates its first home football win since 2019, South stays unbeaten and unscored upon in flag football, and the crew checks in on UAA volleyball and preseason basketball buzz. Watch the Full Episode on AST YouTube: https://youtu.be/bzAJ59l_5ng
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AST RECENT EPISODES
A podcast all about Alaska Sports! We bring insight, knowledge, with an interesting and fun perspective about all the happenings in high school and college sports in Alaska!
Photos on AlaskaSportsTalk.com provided by Stephanie Goon (@goongallery96), Todd Ramoth and the University of Alaska Anchorage
SEASON 4, EPISODE 2
Keaton, Isaiah, and Brad welcome West Anchorage head football coach Brown Faaaliga to recap the Eagles’ challenging trip to Colorado, where the heat, elevation and injuries tested the team against Heritage High School. Coach Brown reflects on lessons from the loss, West’s progress at the season’s halfway point, his coaching partnership with Tim Davis and the team’s preparation for a major Cook Inlet Conference matchup against South Anchorage. The crew also breaks down Soldotna’s impressive battle with Wyoming powerhouse Star Valley and previews the Railbelt Conference showdown between Soldotna and Lathrop. They check in on Alaska’s high school volleyball season, highlighting upcoming weekday matchups and encouraging families and students to get out and support their local teams. The conversation also explores the continued rise of girls’ flag football, its growing participation and popularity across Alaska, and the excitement surrounding the sport’s future on the Olympic stage. Plus, they preview the Anchorage Wolverines’ highly anticipated games against the USA Hockey National Team Development Program at Sullivan Arena on September 11 and 12. The two-game series will feature some of the country’s top young hockey talent, along with a 50/50 raffle that could award a prize of at least $10,000. Watch the Full Episode on AST YouTube: https://youtu.be/x0BllwV_73E
SEASON 4, EPISODE 1
Alaska Sports Talk kicks off Season 4 with former Dimond High School football coach Brian Yim joining Isaiah and Brad to break down Alaska’s high school sports scene. They discuss the loss of C-team programs, transportation barriers for younger athletes, early-season football standouts, coaching milestones and possible improvements to the state playoff format. The conversation also covers the rapid growth of flag football, UAA’s energized athletic programs and Colony’s rise in high school volleyball. Plus, Isaiah previews the Anchorage Wolverines’ “Fire and Ice” games against the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and shares how All In 49 plans to transform the Sullivan Arena into a year-round community and entertainment venue. Follow Alaska Sports Talk on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, and listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to rate, review and share the show! Watch the Full Episode on AST YouTube: https://youtu.be/Wntx6q7897o
SEASON 3, EPISODE 51
The show opened with a recap of the high school baseball state championships, where Juneau-Douglas captured the D1 title and Homer brought home the D2 championship. It was another great reminder of how strong and competitive Alaska baseball continues to be across the state. From there, the conversation shifted to the softball diamond, where the Chugiak Mustangs claimed the D1 championship and continued an impressive run of success. Isaiah and Keaton broke down Chugiak’s consistency over the past five years and what makes their program such a steady championship contender. In D2 softball, the Palmer Moose put together a memorable postseason run, winning four straight games to capture the state title. Their championship push was one of the great stories of the tournament and showed just how dangerous a team can be when it gets hot at the right time. On the hockey side, Isaiah broke down major changes coming to the NAHL structure. The Chippewa Steel are moving from the Midwest to Pueblo, Colorado, while the league adds five new teams and expands to five divisions. The Minnesota Mallards will join the Midwest Division, replacing Chippewa. Isaiah explained how these moves impact league alignment, scheduling, and what future realignment could look like. To close things out, Isaiah and Keaton checked in on UAA athletics as the Seawolves prepare for the upcoming season. They discussed new coaching hires, roster additions, and the continued growth of both the men’s and women’s basketball programs. They also touched on the still-open athletic director position, the timing of the hiring process, and why that role is such an important piece for the future of UAA athletics. Watch the Full Episode on AST YouTube: https://youtu.be/c3eUIvvmYmg