Wrangell High turned in podium performances at the Kayhi Invitational at Ward Lake on Saturday, Sept. 13, as Boomchain Loucks and Jenna Meissner won their varsity cross-country 5Ks and the Wolves’ …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account below or purchase a subscription.
Please log in to continue |
Wrangell High turned in podium performances at the Kayhi Invitational at Ward Lake on Saturday, Sept. 13, as Boomchain Loucks and Jenna Meissner won their varsity cross-country 5Ks and the Wolves’ girls packed the top four.
Loucks claimed the boys race in 16:16.31, finishing 43 seconds ahead of runner-up Aulis Nelson, of Craig, before adding a post-race workout, coach Mason Villarma said.
His time was just 8 seconds off his winning run at the start of the season Aug. 23 in Wrangell — the fastest time among state cross-country runners so far this season.
Meissner captured the girls race in 20:51.61, with teammate Bella Ritchie close behind in 20:55.94. Alana Harrison placed fourth to complete a 1-2-4 finish for Wrangell.
Petersburg’s Arielle Tucker took third.
“Ketchikan is always a fun and fast course,” Villarma said. “The girls took full advantage of a great day at Ward Lake and went first, second and fourth. Bella had perhaps the most impressive day just being five seconds behind Jenna, who won her second race,” he added.
“All three girls continue to impress the region. They have, and continue to, put in the work necessary for a state title. Coach (Laura) Davies and I are proud of them.”
Villarma said Loucks “has big things to come,” projecting a 15:45 5K time later this year when he races in Washington state after Alaska’s season ends.
“The rest of the boys have a couple more hard weeks to put in before they see times drop. They had an average day, but I believe they have a good shot at state if they stick with the process and stay focused,” Villarma said.
Wrangell’s Jackson Carney placed 12th among the 96 runners at the Ketchikan meet, with a time of 18:36.79.
In the girls team standings, Sitka edged Petersburg, with Wrangell third. Ketchikan was fourth, followed by Juneau-Douglas, Craig and Mt. Edgecumbe. Ketchikan won the boys team title, with Petersburg second, Sitka third and Wrangell fourth, ahead of Skagway.
The next event on the schedule is the Capital City Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 20, in Juneau. Southeast regionals are scheduled for Sept. 27 in Sitka. The state championships are Oct. 4 in Palmer.
