Glacier Bears prepare for Region 5 meet

The Haines Glacier Bears worked hard in Petersburg last Friday in their last regular season clash with the other runners who are trying to put the clampdown on a trip to the state meet in Anchorage. The boys finished third in the small school division behind Sitka and Petersburg, while the girls took second, trailing only Petersburg. Six Glacier Bear runners set personal records on Petersburg’s hilly, two- lap course that begins and ends at Sandy Beach on Frederick Sound.

“It was a good race,” said Haines Coach Chandler Kemp. “We had [personal records] at all levels.”

Siyel George placed fourth of 115 boys, finishing in 17:25, 46 seconds behind race winner Dominic Bacciocco of Sitka. Haines third and fourth scorers were separated by less than a second, as Carson Crager advanced several positions in his second lap and charged down the homestretch to finish within hundredths of a second within teammate Mark Davis and Petersburg’s Koren Spurl. Crager and Kamakana Kanahele established personal records in the race.

In the girl’s race, Avery Williamson ran to a personal best in her third high school race. She finished sixth in a field of 82 by running a 21:46. Coach Kemp was impressed. “Avery has done a really good job as a freshman,” Kemp said. “She’s been fearless, going out with the front pack in every race. Her bold racing has set the tone for the team and helped everyone perform better.”

Kemp said that his team received praise from veteran rival coaches for their focus and for the camaraderie they showed as a team as well as with opposing teams.

Lydia Andriesen, Dori Getchell and Yzella Miramontes also set personal records. Andriesen spoke about the keys to her breakout sophomore season. “The training camp did a lot. I got a lot stronger. It’s helped having teammates to pace myself with at practice,” Andriesen said. “Since we’ve had three races, I’ve learned who I can race with. There’s a girl from Thunder Mountain that I keep an eye on and I try to stay close with Haley [Boron].”

The Region 5 meet will be held on Sep. 22 on Juneau’s hilly, three lap Treadwell Park race course. The race will determine the top three teams and top 15 individuals who will earn their bib for the state championship race at Bartlett High School in Anchorage.

Looking ahead to the big race, Davis said, “My goal is to PR, definitely, and hopefully make it to state as an individual and as a team. I want to figure out my best pace, especially at the beginning of the race.”

“Both teams have a good chance of qualifying because the both have a lot of heart and we all want to do well,” Boron said.

This Saturday, the teams will host a 5-kilometer time trial at the fairgrounds. The run will give coaches a final chance to figure out the seven varsity runners that each team can enter in the regional showdown. All Glacier Bear team members will travel to compete in either the varsity or citizens’ race in Juneau.

Community members of all ages are invited to join the Glacier Bears for the 5K and encouraged to do so in costume. Interested participants should meet in the fair parking lot no later than 8:45 a.m. The run will be followed by a bacon and pancake brunch in the high school cafeteria. Both the race and the brunch cost $10, with proceeds supporting the teams’ journey to regionals and potentially state.

Meet Results:

Boys

4) Siyel George 17:25

24) Kirby Faverty 19:07

31) Mark Davis 19:29

33) Carson Crager 19:29 PR

62) Patrick Cunningham 20:57

91) Eli Williamson 22:56

101) Kamakana Kanahele 24:16 PR

Girls

6) Avery Williamson 21:46 PR

17) Hannah Boron 23:12