Wrangell runs in cross country regionals

Last weekend was the regional meet for Region 5 cross country teams. While Wrangell High School has participated in the season virtually this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were able to travel this weekend to Petersburg to compete in person.

Activities Director Trisa Rooney said, in an email, that while Wrangell was in

Petersburg last Friday, Oct. 2, they ran separately from Petersburg's cross country team. Other participants in regionals include Haines and Metlakatla virtually, Gustavus on Oct. 3, and Hoonah on Oct. 4.

They ran at Greens Camp, Rooney added. The team travelled to Petersburg via Breakaway Adventures and adhered to a mitigation plan to stay safe from COVID-19.

They all wore masks while travelling, except for when they were running and socially distanced while attending the meet. Greens Camp is

located 26 miles south of Petersburg on Mitkof Island.

In the boys' race, Ethan Blatchley came in first place for Wrangell, and fifth overall, with a time of 18:36.78.

Devlyn Campbell came in second for Wrangell, and sixth overall, at 18:37.16. Elias Decker came in third for Wrangell, eighth overall, with a time of 18:47.91. First place overall went to Uriah Lucas of Petersburg.

In the girls' race, Liana Carney came in first for Wrangell, and fourth overall, at 21:49.27. Jade Balansag came in second, sixth overall, at 22:15.05. Brodie Gardner came in third for Wrangell, eighth overall, at 22:49.07. First place overall went to Mackenzie Dryden of Haines.

While the state championship is coming up, Rooney said that Wrangell will not be participating this year. Their cross country season has come to a close.

"The state competition will take place this coming weekend in Anchorage," she wrote in an email. "Sadly, Wrangell will not be going. The risk is just too big right now with how Anchorage is trending with COVID cases. Craig for sure is not going and I suspect a few other teams will not be going due to Anchorage['s] case count."