The Haines High School cross-country team held its own against other Southeast schools in the Sitka Invitational meet Saturday, and are in the thick of preparing for regionals.

Haines placed second in Sitka among small schools. Sophomore Siyel George placed 12th overall, including the three largest high schools in the division. He set a personal record of 18 minutes and 14 seconds.

George said he was excited to run his fastest time in Sitka, and is looking forward to helping his team get to state.

The top three small-school teams and the top 15 individuals will qualify for state after Saturday’s regional meet.

Sophomore Kirby Faverty wasn’t far behind in 15th place, with a personal record of 18 minutes and 24 seconds. George, Faverty and the boys’ racers as a whole are expected to go to state if they place similarly in Ketchikan.

Haines runners Carver Culbeck and Mark Davis also set personal records, and finished in 26th and 35th place, respectively. Out of 140 runners, most Haines boys placed in the top 50.

The girls’ racers placed fourth in small schools. Haines’ top finisher, Freshman Hannah Boron, set a personal record time of 24 minutes and three seconds and came in 30th overall. Boron “tapped into her potential,” said Assistant coach Alixanne Goodman. “I don’t think she knew what she was capable of until this last meet.”

Goodman said her favorite part of the race, a “tear-jerking moment,” was seeing Hannah Boron and her twin sister Haley high five when they passed each other during a loop in the middle of the race.

“Team support is really nice,” said Haley Boron, who also set a personal best in Sitka. She said she knew her sister was running her best race yet. “It’s her first time doing a sport, and she’s a natural runner.”

Sophomore Marirose Evenden and freshman Atlin Zahnow finished in 40th and 41st place. Evenden set a season record of 24 minutes and 23 seconds. Zahnow ran a personal best of 24 minutes and 26 seconds.

“What I’ve enjoyed about this season is the motivation, positivity, and especially encouragement amongst the team,” Goodman said. “Traditionally, leadership has been taken up upon seniors and veteran cross-country runners. I’ve really enjoyed witnessing first-year runners and underclassmen leadership.”

“It’s really inspiring to hear them encourage and motivate each other inside and outside of practice. They’re a phenomenal group of kids with a variety of talents. Their exceptional work ethic will show at regionals. I’m excited to see them continually grow and show how far they’ll all come along,” Goodman said.

The Southeast regional meet will be held in Ketchikan Saturday; the state cross-country meet is set for Sept. 30.

Evenden said her team in fourth place has a really good chance to go to state, challenging Mt. Edgecumbe High School in third place.

“We’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain,” she said.