Wolves take on 11 teams in first cross country meet of season

Despite intermittent downpours, the Wrangell High School boys' and girls' cross country teams took on several other runners in the first in-person meet of the season last Saturday.

Forty-six girls and 69 boys from around Southeast competed in the soggy conditions, with Wrangell boys placing third as a team against 11 others, and the girls' team placing fifth out of nine in the 5-kilometer event.

"The boys stuck together like we have been in practice, and they listened to me as I told them to catch people," cross country coach Kayla Rooney said about the boys' overall performance. "They did really good. I'm happy with how they're placing right now."

The boys' race started a little after noon and the girls began around 1 p.m., running a three-lap loop around Volunteer Park.

"I'm very proud of my girls," Rooney said. "We have some work to do this week to help get them ready for our next meet. ... This team has been dedicated to cross country for the last two seasons and I'm grateful for that."

Senior Liana Carney was the first Wrangell runner across the finish line for the girls, placing fourth overall with a time of 21:56.77. Freshman Daniel Harrison was the fastest of the boys' team, coming in sixth at 18:26.09.

Sitka placed first in the boys' competition with a team total of 1:32:16, while Wrangell's total time was 1:38:54.

The girls' team turned in a time of 2:19:12 for their fifth-place finish. Ketchikan finished first at 1:57:22.

Teams competing in the event were Wrangell, Sitka, Petersburg, Craig, Gustavus, Ketchikan, Klawock, Juneau-Douglas, Thunder Mountain, Mt. Edgecumbe, Southeast Island School District and Metlakatla.

Rooney expects times and performance to improve, as this race was the first official one of the season with other teams.

"It's the first race with actual people, so they're getting those first-race jitters out. We did a practice with Petersburg last week, but it's different when you've got 11 other teams you're competing with," she said. "It's definitely a learning curve usually the first race. I expect their times will be better after this week, but I'm happy with what they are."

Runners' stats:

Boys

Daniel Harrison, 18:26.09 (Frosh)

Devlyn Campbell, 18:58.21 (Jr)

Elias Decker, 19:55.18 (Jr)

Randy Churchill, 20:08.73 (Jr)

Ethan Blatchley, 21:26.07 (Jr)

Jimmy Baggen, 21:34.42 (Sr)

James Shilts, 22:10.57 (Sr)

Tyson Messmer, 23:13.01 (Sr)

Girls

Liana Carney, 21:56.77 (Sr)

Della Churchill, 25:27.81 (Frosh)

Sierra Ely, 27:12.09 (Soph)

Mia Wiederspohn, 27:13.93 (Soph)

Rylee Chelette, 37:211.82 (Jr)