Wrangell’s cross-country season looked big from the start, assistant coach Laura Davies said, and it ended on a high note at the Division III state championships in Palmer on Oct. 4. Davies was not surprised by the success.

Freshman Jenna Meissner and senior Boomchain Loucks won their races, with Meissner pacing the Wrangell girls to the first state title in program history.

Davies said the results aligned with what she and head coach Mason Villarma expected after last year’s surge of success.

“Boomchain did so well last year, and we knew we had some strong runners coming up to high school,” she said. “We only lost one runner after graduation last year, so Mason and I both had high expectations for this year.”

“One of the keys — or most valuable factors in the team’s success — is that the team had five seniors and Mason has been their coach for four years,” Davies said. “So the time he has had with them has been priceless. They have all grown as runners and his coaching has evolved and gotten even better.

“So we are seeing the benefits now, and those seniors are spreading that positivity, work ethic and focus. That they have built up with Mason over the four years. I think that is huge.”

Davies said the team’s culture helped fuel both performance and consistency. She pointed to Loucks and teammate Jackson Carney as examples the younger athletes follow.

“The underclassmen look up to Boomchain and Jackson Carney so much,” she said.

“They’re natural leaders and they set such a positive tone for the team. When we were at state, I walked by and heard Jackson giving a pep talk to the boys, and it was so inspiring. And he finished by telling them, ‘Now we’re going to go cheer for the girls.’ They ran out and they cheered so loud. They were so enthusiastic in supporting their teammates. It was obvious to everyone. That was my favorite part of state.”

While Meissner and Loucks earned the individual headlines, Davies said progress across the roster stood out, citing Bella Ritchie’s offseason commitment.

“Bella put in so much work in the offseason. She trained so hard and really focused and committed herself,” Davies said. “And the results were obvious with the progress she showed this year.”

She credited Villarma’s approach for helping athletes set targets and follow through.

“Mason works so hard with them and really spent this year working with each one. He helped them set goals and tailored a plan to help them achieve those goals,” Davies said. “And that feels so good to see because it applies to so many areas of life beyond school.”

Though Loucks has run his last race for Wrangell, Davies said the outlook remains strong with experience returning and standards established.

“I can’t wait to see what they do and who improves between now and then,” she said. “It’s exciting to watch this program grow like it has. It’s exciting to think about what will happen in the future.”