Haines High School cross-country teams ran with partial squads at their season opener meet in Skagway Sept. 5, bringing up the rear in an invitational meet that included teams from Skagway, Mount Edgecumbe, Thunder Mountain and Juneau-Douglas.
The local harriers – some in their first competition – battled fierce winds on a J-shaped course that ended with a steep trail climb up to Dyea Road from downtown. “That hill is known to be a crusher. It was the first meet for some of the kids, so to take on that course was pretty brave,” said coach Tara Bicknell.
Four Haines girls were among 51 who competed. Naomi Welling of Thunder Mountain won in 22:43. Glacier Bear finishers included junior Jenae Larson (33rd, 29:45), junior Destinee Cowart (37th, 30:20), and senior Natalia Taylor (38th, 30:21). Sophomore Olivia Wing also ran.
Six Haines boys were among 69 competing in the boys’ race, won by Johnny Elliot of Juneau-Douglas in 19:00. Haines finishers included junior Neil Little (27th, 23:00), junior Casey Bradford (39th, 23:55), sophomore Dawson Evenden (42nd, 24:11), junior Matthew Green (58th, 26:05), senior Elliot Wilde (62nd, 27:15) , and senior Kyle Klinger (69th, 29:25).
Runners who weren’t eligible for last week’s meet because they didn’t have a required number of practices in will be joining the squads for this weekend’s meet in Petersburg, coach Bicknell said. She expects six Haines girls and 10 boys to compete.
The regional championship meet will be held Sept. 27 in Ketchikan