FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks and Fort Wainwright have announced their October Warriors of the Month. Warrior of the Month is a partnership between Fort Wainwright and the Nanooks, highlighting military members and student-athletes who excel on and off the court, in the classroom and on base or in the field. Each month a warrior is selected from Fort Wainwright, UAF Army ROTC and a female and male student-athlete.
Isaac Garcia, Junior, Men's Basketball, 3.4 Cumulative GPA, Computer Sciences
Isaac Garcia was named the Male Warrior of the Month by the Alaska Nanooks athletics department. Garcia is a newcomer to the Nanooks men's basketball program but according to head coach Greg Sparling, is a man of character through and through. He helps get teammates in the gym after hours, dedicates his free time to his studies and brings teammates along with him. He provides rides to his teammates and as a point guard on the court, he always both vocally and skill wise, pushes teammates to excel. Garcia constantly speaks his mind with honesty, both to players and coaches, and brings a different level of character to the Nanook family. Alongside his character, Garcia brings loyalty, leadership, competitiveness, and toughness on a daily basis. These are all things that exemplify this University. Isaac volunteers his time at Greater New Hope Church of God, Monroe High School, and with youth basketball around town. He is very dedicated to the town he grew up in. Leading in Fairbanks requires dedication and leading by example, and Garcia is exactly that.
Sarah Olson, Senior, Women's Nordic Ski, 3.34 Cumulative GPA, Business Administration
Sarah Olson was named the Female Warrior of the Month by the Alaska Nanooks athletics department. Olson, a senior on the women's nordic ski team, was honored for her infectious, positive attitude. She was named the women's team captain by her teammates for the upcoming 2022-23 season because she constantly leads others with enthusiasm and charisma. Olson is always willing to help others. She is always available to pick up teammates from the airport and has been a big help with international students throughout the seasons. Olson has gone out of her way to organize team events, even giving guidance and advice to her teammates. She is a hard worker who always holds on to a positive attitude. She is also a selfless leader and represents the University well. Olson has four years of volunteering while at UAF; she has helped with Healthy Futures and the Equinox Marathon. During the summer of 2022, she worked for the local fire department in Delta Junction, doing preventative forestry to lower wildfire risks. According to coaches Eliska Albrigtsen and Ben Buck, Olson makes UAF a better place. She greets everyone with a smile and is always willing to lend a helping hand. She volunteers her time outside of the ski team to many causes and is a member of the Student Ceramic Art Guild.
1LT Tristan Meadows, 24, of 11th Airborne Division
1LT Meadows is assigned to the 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment as the Squadron Logistics Officer. 1LT Meadows has served with 5-1 CAV on Fort Wainwright, Alaska since April of 2021.
1LT Meadows, from Vermillion, South Dakota, enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard in 2015 as a Blackhawk Helicopter Repairer serving on both the Blackhawk and Lakota Helicopters. In 2020, 1LT Meadows, graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor's of Science and a Bachelors of Arts. He was commissioned as a Cavalry Officer in the United States Army in May of 2020.
1LT Meadows is a member of the 2023 11th Airborne Division Denali Expedition Team and enjoys all things Alaska in his free time such as fishing, hunting and backpacking.
CDT Eaint Thiri- 4.0 GPA undergraduate student, ROTC Cadet
Cadet Thiri is a Green to Gold Scholarship recipient, continuing to serve on Active Duty while pursuing a Bachelor of Security and Emergency Management with a minor in Accounting. Cadet Thiri served as an Automated Logistical Specialist prior to joining UAF ROTC. Her diverse background and knowledge have been a great contribution to the dynamic population here at UAF. She has performed proactively and professionally in various supply management roles while assigned to the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at Fort Wainwright.
During her second year as a junior enlisted Soldier, she was selected to participate in the competitive Green to Gold program with the UAF ROTC. She is a recipient of the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for her excellent service to the community. Additionally she was a member of the Ranger Challenge Team competing against the ROTC programs of the West Coast to include Hawaii & Guam.
Outside of her service and school, she enjoys playing badminton and snowboarding. Currently selected to perform as the Battalion Personnel Officer role and Supply Officer role for the Fall Semester, she continuously strives to improve the ROTC program and mentor her peers. Cadet Thiri is the epitome of a Warrior, scholar and athlete and is a proud member of the Nanook community.
The award winners will be honored at the Saturday, Oct. 15 volleyball game in the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium at the Patty Center. The volleyball team takes on Seattle Pacific at 2:00 p.m. in their annual Dig Pink game.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks athletic department, follow @AlaskaNanooks on Instagram or Twitter, or like the Alaska Nanooks athletics page on Facebook.
