Haines High School cross country runners are back on the trails preparing for what they hope will be their best season yet.
Coach Chandler Kemp said the theme of the season is to be happy and healthy. “As we’re challenging ourselves to become better runners, it’s important to maintain healthy bodies during our fairly intense training,” Kemp said.
Practices began July 25 and about 22 students have joined the team so far, with more expected when the school year starts on Tuesday. Kemp said most of last year’s team has returned. The bulk of runners will be sophomores and juniors.
“We have a really strong team this year, and had a good showing in the region last season,” Kemp said. “We’re already in a much stronger position now than we were this time last year.”
Runners on the girls’ team have their sights set on making it to the state competition. Junior Marirose Evenden, who has been running on the team since her freshman year and has individually qualified for state, said she would love to see Haines girls finish strong.
“I’ve been running the longest. I want to take my team to state,” she said.
Sophomore Hannah Boron, who also individually qualified for state last year, said she wants to improve her own times, but also, “I want to play my part to get the team to state.”
New runner and junior Raine Winge said her goal is to gain endurance to better run up hills. Winge and teammate Haley Boron said team members have already bonded and are acting like a family.
“Cross country is the best sport the school has to offer,” Hannah Boron said. “It’s the best group I can ask for.”
From Aug. 9 through 12, Kemp and assistant coaches Alixanne Goodman, Liam Cassidy and Tracy Wirak took 19 Glacier Bears on a camping trip to Kathleen Lake in Yukon Territory, Canada. The group hiked on Chuck Creek Trail and ran on the Cottonwood Trail which spans 50 miles through Kluane National Park and Reserve.
“Spending a weekend running through Kluane National Park is the most fun thing,” Kemp said.
The team also saw presentations on glaciers and bears in the national park, visited the Da Ku Cultural Centre in Haines Junction, attended a yoga session led by Haines resident Mandy Ramsey and learned about trail safety and nutrition.
Sophomore Eli Williamson said the trip was amazing. “These are great people to run with,” he said.
The Glacier Bears’ first cross country meet is Aug. 25 in Sitka. “We have had a strong start, and it’s just going to go up from here,” Evenden said.