Kevin Harper

Lynden Scholarships

Kevin Harper crossed the finish line at 0946 on Monday morning to earn the Junior Iditarod Championship. Harper is a two-time veteran of the race. He placed third in 2014 behind his brother Ben Harper and Conway Seavey. While living in Washington, Kevin was all about soccer and wrestling. When the family moved to Alaska Kevin and Ben began to mush with Ray Redington, Jr. That was four years ago and now Kevin won’t be found on the soccer field or wrestling mat, his life has gone to the dogs. Harper is currently a junior at Wasilla High. After graduating, he plans to go to college and get his pilot’s license. In the mean time, he keeps busy with mushing, hunting, fishing and snow machining. Congrats Kevin, nice run. Harper’s average moving speed was 11.4 miles an hour over the 130-mile course.

The Junior mushers crossed the finish line behind Harper in this order – Jimmy Lanier, Andrew Nolan, Dakota Schlosser, Jannelle Trowbridge, Marianna Mallory, Katie Deits, Rose Capistrant, Nicole Forto, Jordan Seager and Joan Klejka.  

Special awards were announced at the pizza banquet held in the Cantwell gymnasium this evening after the race. The Sportsmanship Award went to Andrew Nolan. Marianna Mallory received the Humanitarian Award. Jimmy Lanier’s leader Alpha received the Blue Harness Award.  As the first rookie to cross the finish line, Dakota Schlosser was named Rookie of the Year. The Red Lantern for perseverance went to Joan Klejka of Bethel.

Scholarships were presented to the top finishes and to the winners of the Sportsmanship and Humanitarian Awards by Lynden. Ethan Bradford of Lynden Air Cargo says, “Lynden’s primary purpose is to support the education of these young mushers and in turn the Junior Iditarod. Lynden believes that the Iditarod is a very important aspect of Alaskan culture and heritage and that it needs to be preserved for future generations.”