Wrangell's Boomchain Loucks took first place in the Southeast regional cross-country Division III championship Sept. 28 at Ketchikan - as did the Wrangell boys team. The qualifiers will compete in the state meet this weekend in Anchorage.
For the third year running, the Wrangell boys cross-country team is the Southeast Division III champion. Boomchain Loucks won the race for the second year straight as the Wolves' eyes turn toward the state championship meet in Anchorage this Saturday.
The boys team eclipsed Petersburg by just two points to claim the championship at the Sept. 28 competition in Ketchikan, solidifying their dynasty status with three Southeast titles in as many years.
Loucks continued his winning ways when the standout junior finished atop the podium after crossing the finish line just half a second ahead of Craig's Aulis Nelson. Head coach Mason Villarma was thrilled.
"Three regional titles in a row for the Wolves!" he said. "Coach Davies and I are very proud of our team. Loucks did not feel his best and still managed to take the Region V title for the second year in a row in a very tight race."
The girls team continued to show the improvement Villarma has hoped to see all season. Kourtney Barnes was Wrangell's highest finisher, crossing the finish line in 13th. Bella Ritchie and Kailyn McCutcheon finished directly behind her in 14th and 15th. Overall, the girls team finished fourth of the six teams. The Wolves were just five points behind third-place finisher Kake.
While Loucks' first overall finish anchored the boys victory, he was not alone in securing the team's success. Fellow junior Ian Nelson finished in fifth and sophomore Jackson Carney finished sixth. Daniel Harrison rounded out the Wrangell top 10 finishes with a ninth-place finish and a season-best time of 18:33.08. Jackson Powers, Lucas Stearns and Everett Meissner finished in 12th, 13th and 14th.
While the fight against Petersburg for the championship was close, both teams left third-place Skagway far in the distance. Wrangell won the race with 12 points. Petersburg finished second with 14. But Skagway finished a sizable 34 points behind Petersburg.
The top two team finishers will head to the state meet this weekend. On the boys side, it will be Wrangell and Petersburg. For the girls, it will be Petersburg and Hoonah.
Individually, three Wrangell girls qualified for the state meet: McCutcheon, Ritchie and Barnes.
"These athletes have put in a lot of hard work," Villarma said. "It's been fun to watch them grow this season. They will be a tough squad next year."
Over the summer, Villarma made it clear what the team's goal was for this season: another boys state championship. Now, the Wolves have the opportunity to see that through. The state championship meet will be held Saturday, Oct. 5, in Anchorage. Villarma, Loucks and the rest of the team are hoping for fast times under the forecasted cloudy skies.
"At state, we're looking to get the boys their third straight title. For the girls, we are trying to get some good big-race experience for next season when we have the whole team qualify," Villarma said.
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