FAIRBANKS - Kinley Erickson of the Nanooks volleyball team and Markuss Komuls of the Nanooks hockey team were named the Nanooks selections for the September 2022 Warrior of the Month. Alongside Erickson and Komuls, Fort Wainwright named 1LT Austin Pinkerton, 11^th Airborne Division and UAF Army ROTC Cadet Patrick Clark as their selections. 
 
Warrior of the Month is a partnership between the Alaska Nanooks athletic department and Fort Wainwright, highlighting student-athletes and military members who excel on and off the court, in the classroom and on base or in the field. 
 
Kinley Erickson, Sophomore, Volleyball, 4.0 Cumulative GPA, Communications
Erickson, a current sophomore on the Nanooks volleyball team, exemplifies all of the qualities that coaches Brian Scott and Meagan Woods want their volleyball athletes to have. According to her coaches, she is a hard worker, dedicated and does what she is asked. Erickson is also a leader in the Fairbanks community and at her church. Through this, she continues to learn the ropes of what it means to be a leader for the volleyball team at a young age. Her coaches have noticed the work she puts in as she spends extra time in the gym, in the weight room and in the classroom. She's very diligent in her studies, which is reflected in her 4.0 GPA, and is someone who always goes above and beyond to make herself a better athlete for her team. She is passionate, disciplined, and has the highest level of character, exemplifying all of the characteristics that uphold the highest traditions at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Erickson volunteers and works with FCA, True North Church, Elevate Volleyball Club and the Fairbanks Community Food Bank. With Elevate VB Club, she is a coach for the younger teams, showing her passion for wanting to teach and mentor young athletes while also mentoring for her church and FCA at the University. Alongside her community services, Erickson is a current Sports Information student-assistant, helping in graphic design, template creation and other social media graphics for all Nanook teams. 
 
Head Coach Brian Scott Quote
"This is a well-deserved award for Kinley. She truly goes above and beyond for her teammates and the university. She has made huge improvements over the offseason and it is showing in her level of play this season. She is an excellent student, receiving a 4.0 GPA on the year. In addition, Kinley is a great role model and teammate and has spent many hours making sure her teammates feel welcomed and comfortable in Fairbanks. She is exactly what our program and UAF represent."
 
Markuss Komuls, Junior, Hockey, 3.80 Cumulative GPA, Business Administration
Komuls, a current junior (athletic eligibility) on the Nanooks hockey team, graduated his four-year degree in just three years. He posted a strong on-ice +/- with only a -1 and tallied a career-high three goals and four assists for seven points. To kick off the 2022-23 year, Komuls volunteered at Rev It Up and the highly successful "Back to School" event by the Nanooks athletic department. He is a constant help with new players coming to Fairbanks, welcoming them to town and assisting in airport pick-ups. He has shown freshman and newcomers what it means and takes to be a Nanook through his leadership and hard work. Komuls also volunteered at Hockey Club Fairbanks youth practices and has assisted in volunteer efforts at the Holiday Food Drive every year since becoming a Nanook. Through his schooling, and being one of the leaders in volunteer hours for the Nanooks hockey team, Komuls has put the "student" in student-athlete and has become a go-to player on and off the ice. 
 
Head Coach Erik Largen Quote
"Markuss has been a great leader during the first part of the year. He's been volunteering at multiple community events and being a mentor to our younger players. He is a first-class person and we expect big things from him on and off the ice this year."
 
1LT Austin Pinkerton, 25, of 11^TH Airborne Division
1LT Austin Pinkerton is assigned to Medical Department Activity-Alaska as a Registered Nurse. Pinkerton has served at Bassett Army Community Hospital on Fort Wainwright, Alaska since June 2022.  
 
Pinkerton, whose hometown is Great Falls, Montana, joined the Army through ROTC at West Virginia University. In his current assignment, leaders credit Pinkerton as being an integral member of the perioperative nursing team. Leading by example through physical fitness and clinical expertise he has quickly established his presence in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit.  
 
Pinkerton continually strives to improve himself. He consistently scores well on the Army Combat Fitness Test and pushes his soldiers to improve themselves during physical training, as well. He has completed a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and has plans to pursue his Masters in Clinical Nursing Leadership.   
 
University of Alaska Fairbanks Army ROTC Cadet Patrick Clark, 3.96 GPA, undergraduate student
Cadet Patrick Clark is a Green to Gold Scholarship recipient, continuing to serve on Active Duty while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. Clark has served as an Infantry Soldier in the U.S. Army for the last 11 years. 
 
His experience includes combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as a rotation to the Republic of Korea; filling every position from Rifleman to Platoon Sergeant. As a Master Gunner, Clark's expertise in tactics and training doctrine enabled him to be extremely successful at Cadet Summer Training, placing in the top 15% of cadets nationwide. 
 
Clark was stationed at Fort Wainwright for over 5 years before coming to UAF, where he has put his extensive experience to use in training and preparing our Cadets to be successful at summer training and beyond. Selected as the Battalion Executive Officer for the Fall Semester, he continuously strives to improve the UAF ROTC program and mentor his peers. As Ranger Challenge Team Captain, Clark has developed a tough, ambitious training program that will allow UAF to be successful at regional competitions in October. Clark is the epitome of a warrior, scholar and athlete and is a proud member of the Nanook community.
 
Join the Nanooks on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 2:00 p.m. for their volleyball game against the Western Washington Vikings where they'll present the recipients with their banners.