Wrangell High School runners turned in dominant performances at the squad’s first cross-country meet of the season, sweeping both the boys and girls individual titles and securing the girls team victory.

Senior Boomchain Loucks surged to the front early and never looked back in the boys 5K, setting a Wrangell High School record and clocking a winning time of 16 minutes, 8.5 seconds in the home meet on Saturday, Aug. 23.

His performance led Wrangell boys to a second-place team finish, tied with Petersburg at 22 points. Ketchikan took first among the boys teams.

Wrangell’s Jackson Powers added depth with a solid sixth-place finish in 17:57.9, sealing the Wolves’ strong finish in the team standings.

On the girls side, Wrangell freshman Jenna Meissner highlighted the day with a breakout win, covering the 5K course in 20:49.8. She was followed closely by teammates Bella Ritchie (third, 21:01.2) and Alana Harrison (fourth, 21:26.8), giving Wrangell three runners in the top four.

The girls won the meet with a team score of eight points, while Petersburg placed second with 15 points.

“Boomchain is number one in the state of Alaska across all divisions … and Jenna (Meissner) is ranked number seven as a freshman,” Wrangell coach Mason Villarma said.

“Boom and I stay very in tune with his training. We talk to each other every day about it. I’m not surprised by his time from his workouts. I think we’re both excited but not satisfied. I know his goal is to get into the 15s (minutes).”

Petersburg’s Arielle Tucker placed second in the girls race at 20:53.4.

Craig’s Aulis Nelson (16:21.7), Ketchikan’s Carter Phillips (17:03.8), Petersburg’s Gaje Ventress (17:22.1) and Ketchikan’s Henry Vail (17:33.6) rounded out the boys’ top five.

Teams competing in the Wrangell meet were from Craig, Hoonah, Ketchikan, Klawock, Petersburg and Sitka.

The race started on the road headed to the Muskeg Meadows Golf Course, where runners turned and ran most of the 5K on the course.

The results showed the depth and balance of the Wrangell team on both sides. Loucks, a championship senior leader, and Meissner, a promising freshman, gave the Wolves bookend victories, while strong supporting finishes ensured the team standings went in Wrangell’s favor.

The Wolves will look to carry their momentum into the next meet on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Palmer.