Sophomore Jenna Meissner led the Wrangell High School cross-country program with a standout performance Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Bartlett Invite State Preview in Anchorage.

Overall, assistant coach Laura Davies was pleased with the results.

“It was a competitive, big race. We competed in one big group against big schools,” she said. “It was a learning opportunity.”

Competing in a massive field of more than 800 runners representing 34 teams from across Alaska, Meissner finished 23rd overall in the varsity girls race with a time of 20 minutes, 53.6 seconds.

Her top-25 finish earned her the distinction of being the fastest Southeast runner in the girls division on the challenging Bartlett High School trail network.

The meet was a preview for runners who will race on the same course for the state championship on Oct. 3.

Two other Wrangell girls also turned in solid varsity performances in the 133-runner field. Alana Harrison took 69th place with a time of 22:54.1, while Erika Jabusch crossed the finish line in 23:35.9 to claim 86th place.

Without the minimum five runners required to compile a team score, the Wrangell girls did not place in the team standings, which Fairbanks West Valley won behind individual champion Miriam Armstrong.

In the varsity boys division, the Wrangell squad fielded a complete lineup, placing 21st overall in the team standings. West Anchorage captured the boys team title, while Katahdin Staples of East Anchorage won the individual race in 15:55.9.

Sophomore Jackson Carney paced the Wrangell boys pack, placing 110th in a competitive 156-runner field with a time of 19:31.7. Teammates Carter Howell and Ryder Ritchie followed close behind in a tight pack, with Howell claiming 112th in 19:36.2 and Ritchie securing 116th in 19:41.9.

Lucas Stearns finished 121st for Wrangell in 19:46.6, while Aadyn Gillen took 151st in 22:35.6. Jacoby Daugherty rounded out the varsity boys effort, finishing 154th in 23:27.2.

The team will travel next to compete Sept. 12 in Ketchikan.