Chugiak High softball wins second state title in four years

The Chugiak High School Mustangs won their second Division 1 softball state championship in four years, and the Anchorage Municipal Assembly passed a resolution July 21 recognizing the team. The resolution commends the Mustangs for pushing through early-season adversity to claim the title.

Winter weather kept the team off its fields deep into the season. The Mustangs played only seven conference games and four non-conference games before regional and state play, finishing 21 games total. More than half the 15-player roster posted batting averages above .400, and the team recorded 230 hits across the season.

The program has been a fixture at the top of Division 1 softball. The Mustangs finished runner-up in 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025 before winning titles in 2023 and again this year.

The 15 student athletes named in the resolution are Tess Budde, Allison Craig, Emry Drake, Ryleigh Green, Torri Jolin, Abigail Lanehart, Brooklyn McCormick, Samantha McCulloch, Emily Sain, Aubree Sim, Alyssa Silva, Isabel Sjostrand, Peyton Smith, Shelby Strange, and Rachel Wood. Head Coach Michelle Strange led the team alongside assistant coaches Sam Strange, Andi Doerflinger, and Kim Stolze. Assembly Members Handeland and Goecker sponsored the resolution.