The Wrangell boys team took home first place in Division III at the Southeast cross-country championship meet in Juneau this past weekend, with the girls taking second place.

Continuing her winning season, Wrangell sophomore Jenna Meissner took first in the girls race, with a time of 20:32.2, finishing 21 seconds in front of Petersburg’s Arielle Tucker, running on the Treadwell Historic Mine Trail on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Coach Mason Villarma was impressed with Meissner’s race. “Jenna has demonstrated the classic lead-till-you-bleed style all season. She remains undefeated in Southeast.”

In team scoring, Wrangell boys scored 11 points, outrunning Skagway, with 21 points, and Craig, at 29, followed by Petersburg, Kake, Hoonah, Klawock and Metlakatla.

In the girls race, Petersburg won, with 11 points, with Wrangell in second at 19 and Craig at 26, followed by Haines, Skagway, Kake and Yakutat.

Teaming up with Meissner for the winning score, Wrangell senior Alana Harrison placed fifth, with a time of 22:02.7. Freshman Erica Jabusch finished 13th with a time of 23:47.5.

In the boys run, Craig senior Aulis Nelson took first, clocking in at 16:31.5. Wrangell senior and team captain Jackson Carney came in second, with a time of 17:59.5, a seasonal best.

Wrangell sophomore Ryder Ritchie also achieved a seasonal best, finishing fourth, running an 18:30.7. Junior Carter Howell came in right behind his teammate, getting fifth, with a time of 18:37.1. Junior Lucas Stearns finished the race with a time of 19:23.1. Freshman Quinton Davies ran a personal best, clocking in at 20:38.2. Senior Aadyn Gillen ran a 21:11.1.

“Our trio of finishers on the guys side raced smart,” Villarma said. “They didn’t overcommit too early. A couple of them packed up and worked up together.”

Next up for the Wrangell runners will be the state championships at Anchorage’s Bartlett High School Trails on Saturday, Oct. 3. The girls won state last year — the first time ever for Wrangell — with the boys taking second.

The top three teams and top 15 individual runners at Southeast qualify for the state championships.

“Both teams did really well. I am super proud of my whole team and what they accomplished at regionals,” Meissner said.

She explained her racing style to the Juneau Independent newspaper: “I am not really thinking about anything during the race. I am just thinking about, this is where I am going and give it all I have got because it is regions, why not? Our coach says, just give it your best and never give up. … Try not to think about everything because you might blow up if you try to think too hard about it.”

She is definitely looking forward to this weekend’s race. “I can’t wait to see what happens at state for us, especially because we have a couple of seniors who have contributed to the team in so many ways,” Meissner said. “We want them to leave their last season with state titles.”

Harrison, captain of the girls team, also is looking forward to state. “We learned what we needed to from this race and are more prepared than ever for state. We can’t wait to get up there.”

Carney, captain of the boys team, is thinking about the state meet too. “The state tournament is going to be a close race, and we are ready for it. As a team, I really like where our headspace is at. We’re having fun, working hard, and at state we plan on getting it done.”

Villarma discussed preparations for state: “We’re focused on the little things this week, cutting the mileage and not overthinking it.”

At state, the main competition for the girls likely will be Petersburg. The boys main competitor will be Dillingham.

“If we race like we did this weekend, we will have it in the bag,” Carney said.

Southeast Division III Good Sport award winners included Wrangell’s Carney and Meissner. Carney and Harrison were honored with All-Academic awards.