For the first time in the 97-year history — dating back to the territorial basketball championships — an all-female crew officiated a state high school tournament title game.

Kyla Dinkel, Wendy Newman and Zosha Krupa were referees for the Division 2A Seward Seahawks basketball title game against the Glennallen Panthers on Saturday night, March 14, in Anchorage.

“When I began officiating in Alaska there were only a small number of female referees, and the field was largely male-dominated,” the trio said in a joint statement.

“While the role can come with challenges — particularly in managing feedback from coaches and fans — it is incredibly rewarding. Being part of the game and supporting young athletes makes it worthwhile, as does the strong sense of camaraderie among officials.”

Dinkel, 31, has been officiating for 15 years. Off the court, she is a financial adviser. She is a 2013 Wasilla High School graduate and played at Biola University in Los Angeles from 2013-14.

“I have been officiating ever since I got my driver’s license,” Dinkel said. “I think my favorite thing is staying involved in the sport and seeing the other side of it — the technical side — how all the rules break down and game management and just giving back to the kids.”

Wendy Newman, 53, has been officiating for 13 years. Off the court, she is an assistant at an Anchorage school. She is a 1991 graduate of Slidell High School in Louisiana and played at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia from 1991-95.

“I got into it because I play basketball and like many will say, you want to give back to the sport,” Newman said. “We love it, but it is not made for everybody so we encourage everybody who might be interested to find an organization and help.”

Zosha Krupa, 27, has been officiating for four years. Off the court, she manages a coffee stand. She played high school basketball for Sitka, graduating in 2017, and for North Idaho College from 2017-19 and the University of Alaska Fairbanks from 2019-22.

“I grew up playing the game and loving the game,” Krupa said. “I want to give back to the community and make sure these kids have the opportunity to play high school basketball.”

In their joint statement the three said: “Although women are still underrepresented in officiating, our numbers continue to grow each year and there is a strong sense of support from our fellow officials. I am especially encouraged when I see my female colleagues earn opportunities to officiate high-level, highly visible games.

“An all-female referee crew was long overdue at the state tournament, and I am honored to have been part of it. Representation matters, and it is important for the next generation of women to see that there is a place for them to stay involved in basketball.”

All three have officiated at the state tournament previously, just not all together.

“As far as I know, this is the first all-female crew to officiate the state tournament,” Alaska School Activities Association Executive Director Billy Strickland said.