With new head coach and new quarterback, Dimond flag football is still poised to dominate

The three-time defending Cook Inlet Conference champion Dimond High flag football team has a new head coach at the helm and a new quarterback under center this season. But neither are strangers to the program.

Kristen Melican-Nevala has been involved with the Dimond flag football program since its inception and adoption of the sport by the Anchorage School District in 2006.

She has held many titles over the years, including varsity assistant coach, JV coach and C-team coach.

Last year, she was voted the CIC Assistant Coach of the Year, and this year, Melican-Nevala is finally adding the title of head coach to her resume.

“It’s just a really fun sport to coach,” she said. “I’ve coached basketball and tennis, so being involved with flag football, we have a really good time with it.”

Being at the helm of the successful program that she played an integral part in helping establish and build up is “not too different” for her, considering she’s always been involved in some capacity.

“I’ve been in charge of the paperwork anyway since I work here at the school,” Melican-Nevala said. “I’ve always been the paperwork coach, so it’s not that much different. We have a lot of our coaches back.”

By day, she’s the school’s librarian. By late afternoon, she puts on her whistle and aims to lead the Lynx into continued prosperity.

Senior Maile Wilcox was a key player for the Lynx on defense last year from her middle linebacker spot but will now be leading the charge on both sides of the ball as the team’s starting quarterback as well.

“She had some plays at (quarterback) when we needed her, but she was really strong on defense, so it really wasn’t a huge step forward,” Melican-Nevala said.

Wilcox is taking over the reins from her former teammate on the gridiron and hardwood, Kali Hibbert, who graduated this past spring and was the quarterback for the past two years.

“It’s good and a lot to live up to, especially because Kali was very good at what she did,” Wilcox said. “It’s fun being the quarterback and managing everything on offense.”

Like Hibbert, Wilcox believes time on the basketball court translated well to the football field.

“If I have multiple options on a pass,” she said, “I use my court vision skills to find them.”

Even more than her physical skills and ability to see and read the field, the Lynx coaching staff values Wilcox’s leadership.

“The leadership is the big thing,” Melican-Nevala said. “She’s a real natural leader, and the other girls really listen to her, so that’s good.”

While the Lynx lost a lot of senior talent from last year’s team, one of the key returners is senior Mai Mateaki, who is a threat to score whenever the ball is in her hands, whether it’s after a handoff, reception or turnover.

“It’s amazing to have her,” Wilcox said. “She’s incredible. She has such control over her body, and she can go wherever and whenever she wants.”

Another offensive weapon that she believes spectators and opponents alike should be on the lookout for is Zoe Fanning.

“She’s our wide receiver and is really tall, so she’ll catch the ball over everyone,” Wilcox said.

Basketball isn’t the only sport that can be a rich breeding ground for talented flag football players. The Lynx have several soccer players on their team as well, which helps increase their overall team speed tremendously.

“We like our soccer players,” Melican-Nevala said. “We have a couple ones that didn’t play last year that are sophomores, so that’s fun.”

Even though she backed up Hibbert at quarterback last year, Wilcox’s role on offense was far from limited to being a reserve.

“She made some special plays for us on offense, so to say she was just the backup isn’t really accurate,” Melican-Nevala said. “She just did so much for us at other positions, so it’s very easy for her to slip in at QB1.”

Wilcox sees herself as a dual-threat quarterback who can do “a little bit of everything.”

“I haven’t really identified what my strengths are yet, just because it’s still a little bit new for me,” she said. “I like running a lot and am working on my passing more.”

Since last year’s varsity team was so senior-heavy, it meant that the Dimond junior varsity team had a lot of juniors on it who are seniors this season. They’re looking forward to adding to the program’s rich legacy.

“They’re really excited to be on varsity this year and play a major role,” Melican-Nevala said.