Michael Owens, 16, was born and raised in Nome and has grown up around mushing. He says he started running his own team three years ago and has completed the Jr. Iditarod two times. “My family works together with dog chores and training. We have a kennel of 30 dogs. I am running this year’s Jr. Iditarod just because I can!” Michael is a freshman at the Auburn Adventist Academy in Auburn, Washington, and when asked what school activities he participates in, he replies, “study.” He enjoys soaring, flying and fishing and plans to attend aviation school when he finishes high school. He wants to obtain his aviation degree with as many certifications as possible. He does not expect to continue mushing.