Glacier Bears reflect on a close-knit team

Haines Glacier Bears cross country runners Siyel George and Kirby Faverty placed first and third respectively in the 2A schools division at the state championship in Anchorage this weekend. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams went to Anchorage where they competed against about 150 runners from schools across the state in each race.

Haines boys placed sixth overall in the second division. Haines girls placed 12th in the same division.

Head coach Chandler Kemp said his team performed well on a pretty tough, muddy and hilly course. “The level of performance was on par with what I was hoping for,” Kemp said.

George placed 18th overall. Reflecting on the season, George said he was impressed by what he said was the most team spirit he’s experienced in his three years of running on the team. “It was a wonderful team I was so happy about all the sportsmanship and all the cool personalities on our team,” George said. “I think it was really special to have both the guys’ and the girls’ teams go to state because it’s been many years since we’ve done that.”

He said many of his teammates improved their times. Sophomore Hannah Boron was one of them. She improved her run time by 50 seconds compared to the same course last year, Kemp said.

Boron said last year when she ran at the state competition she didn’t have a whole team by her side. This year with the whole girls’ team by her side, she said, she was able to improve. “I would call it more of a family than a team quite honestly,” Boron said. “We’re all so close. Running is a very hard sport so when you have consistent struggle [and you’re] engrossed with each other, your friendships become a lot tighter.”

Kemp also commented on the camaraderie of the team this year. “It was a really tight team,” Kemp said. “I think that it’s a really positive supportive group of kids. [Coach] Alixanne and I tried to let that flourish and the kids developed a really positive and close culture on the team. It’s been a great season and I’m missing practices.”

State results:

Boys:

Siyel George; 17:35

Kirby Faverty; 18:13

Mark Davis; 19:18

Carson Crager; 19:18

Patrick Cunningham; 20:25

Caleb Hinson; 20:32

Eli Williamson; 21:51

Girls:

Hannah Boron; 23:16

Marirose Evenden; 24:19