AOTW: Alaska soccer’s leading goal scorer is also a state tennis champion

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Chugiak High School’s Mary Jo Landon is a two-time Alaska State Tennis Champion, claiming Doubles Titles in 2024 and 2025, and is off to compete in NCAA Division II Athletics this fall.

“I love the town Ellensburg, it is super pretty and the campus is super nice,” Landon said of continuing her education and athletics at Central Washington University.

However, she is not bringing her racket with her to CWU, as Landon has another talent that sprouts during the spring. The senior standout is one of the best soccer players in the state. She signed a soccer scholarship to the DII school.

“Mary Jo is just one of those players who, stylistically, is so different in the female game, you just don’t see players like her,” Chugiak head coach and former DI player at Cat Ruesch said after a Mustangs win over Dimond High in April, the team’s first over the program many years.

At the time of publication, Landon leads the entire state in goals scored at 27, sparked by a 6-goal, one assist performance to open the season.

“It is really cool to see her creative side and how much of a game-changer she can be and how much she connects the entire field to each other and also... she’s just fun to watch,” Ruesch added with a laugh.

While Landon has recorded two 5-goal performances, she also uplifts the young team around her, tallying 12 assists on the season which is good for third in the state.

“Transitioning from club to high school was definitely a transition and playing with her has done such a big impact on me on learning technique and skills,” said sophomore teammate Arrianna Lubeck.

At 10-3-1, Landon has already led Chugiak to its best win total since 2011.

“My personal goal this year for soccer is to try to get Gatorade Player of the Year, I am trying to keep that up and help my team get to the [state championship] final,” Landon said.

A soccer star in the spring and a tennis ace in the fall, Landon excells in two sports that do not share many similarities outside of using a ball.

“Tennis definitely helped me gain better hand-eye coordination and such, also soccer helped me a lot with agility and just that speed on the court, so they both helped hand and hand with each other.”

No matter the path, Landon continues to strive for excellence whether in the classroom, tennis court or soccer pitch.

“What makes me want to be great, is just the drive to want to be great,” Landon said. “And wanting to prove that Alaska has talent and we can drive ourselves to work hard and be the best.”

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com