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Cheseto, Strabel honored by AK Sports Hall

TRACK & FIELD UAA Media Relations

Cheseto, Strabel honored by AK Sports Hall

ANCHORAGE – Former University of Alaska Anchorage student-athletes Marko Cheseto and Eric Strabel were named Tuesday as Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Directors Awards winners. The pair will be recognized along with the Class of 2014 inductees during the Hall's annual induction ceremony on Mar. 19 at the Anchorage Museum.

Cheseto, a cross country and track & field star at UAA from 2008-10, will receive the Trajan Langdon Award, bestowed for leadership, sportsmanship and inspiration. Currently a graduate assistant coach with the Seawolves, the Kapenguria, Kenya, native claimed a pair of All-America honors in both of his sports and was a three-time Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion in cross country.

Following the end of his cross country eligibility, Cheseto survived a November 2011 incident when he spent more than two days missing during a snowstorm, with the ordeal resulting in the amputation of both of his legs below the knee. Thrust into the limelight, he thereafter has worked hard to overcome depression and has spoken openly about the topic. Cheseto earned a degree in nutrition, entered graduate school, and now – wearing special prostheses – he has also returned to running competitions. He aspires to compete in the 2016 Paralympics.

Strabel, a Nordic skiing and cross country standout from 2001-04, will receive the Pride of Alaska Award for consistent excellence in athletic competition – sharing the men's award with fellow runner Trevor Dunbar. At UAA, the Palmer native led the Seawolves to their first-ever GNAC title in cross country in 2002 and was a three-time All-American on the ski trails, including an NCAA runner-up finish in the 20-kilometer freestyle in 2002.

Since graduating, Strabel has become one best mountain runners in Alaska history, winning multiple titles in the Crow Pass Crossing, Mount Marathon and Matanuska Peak Challenge races. Last summer, he broke the 32-year-old record of former UAA coach Bill Spencer by finishing Mount Marathon in 42 minutes, 55 seconds, as well as earning the record in the Matanuska Peak Challenge. He is also one of two men to break the 3-hour mark for Crow Pass.

In addition to Cheseto and Strabel, the Seawolves will also be recognized in the Class of 2014 with the induction of UAA's 1988 men's basketball victory over Michigan, which will be honored in the 'Event' category.

For a complete list of this year's Directors' Award winners, please visit the ASHOF's Alaska Sports Blog.


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Players Mentioned

Marko Cheseto

Marko Cheseto

DIS
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Marko Cheseto

Marko Cheseto

Sophomore
DIS