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Crimson Bears Kaia Mangaccat earns athlete of the week honors
JDHS senior feted along with East senior Katahdin Staples after state cross-country titles
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
Already honored with region and state titles, Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kaia Mangaccat and Bettye Davis East Anchorage senior Katahdin Staples received another accolade Monday when both were chosen as the best of Alaska’s athletes across multiple sports.
“I am really honored to be selected as co-athlete of the week,” Mangaccat said. “I am grateful for my teammates, coaches and everyone who has supported me this season. Winning state for my team and for Juneau was really special, and I am so happy with how this season turned out.”
Chosen by the Alaska Sports Report selection committee, a panel of sports journalists, Mangaccat and Staples were both noted for finishing their seasons undefeated by winning respectively the girls and boys state cross-country championships last weekend on Anchorage’s Bartlett High School Trails.
"I love to run because it is the best way to face a challenge,” Staples said. “You push yourself and get better and push yourself and get better. Being able to compete and showcase years of hard work in cross-country is so special. I can’t wait to see where it will take me."
The ASR noted that Staples’ time of 15:34 earned not only the championship but also his third in a row, becoming the first Division I boy to three-peat since Kodiak’s Levi Thomet won from 2012-14. Thomet placed sixth as a freshman. Staples did not qualify for state his freshman year.
“Katahdin is a once-in-a-generation athlete who sets an inspiring standard for his teammates, coaches and fellow athletes,” East coach Christina Shurtleff said. “Winning three state cross-country titles is rare, but his legacy at East will be about more than victories and fast times. It will be about the culture, hard work and heart he gave to running. Talent alone is not enough to be great. It takes hard work, dedication, sacrifice, healthy choices, consistent training and a willingness to listen. It is frequently quoted that cross-country is a summer sport that shows results in the fall. I have had the privilege of coaching Katahdin year-round for four years. That steady work ethic is what has led to his success. Katahdin is not successful because sports come naturally — he is successful because he works hard, listens, stays focused and trusts the process. He is also one of the most humble, caring and enthusiastic athletes I have coached. It brings me endless pride to see the exceptional runner and person he has become, and I can't wait to see where it takes him next.”
Mangaccat covered the 5-kilometer course in 18 minutes 32 seconds, winning her first title and becoming just the fourth Crimson Bears runner to win a state individual cross-country crown. JDHS freshman Sadie Tuckwood won in 2016, and placed third, second and second — West Valley’s Kendall Kramer three-peated those seasons. JDHS’ Leah Francis won three state titles from 2006-08, her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons (she fell ill during her senior race and placed 22nd); and senior Tyler Dinnan won the only Crimson Bears’ boys state title in 2005.
“Kaia has contributed in big ways to our cross country program,” JDHS co-coach Abby Jahn said. “She is driven and invested in her development as an athlete. She set a goal early in her high school career and blew it out of the water on Saturday. We hope to see her continue her development as an athlete and continue having fun running and competing for years to come.”
Said JDHS co-coach Zack Bursell, “What we are seeing here now with Kaia is the result of years of hard work. She has set a high bar for herself and really put in the time in training over the summer.”
According to ASAA, Alaska runners earning four high school cross-country running titles include Kristy Klinnert, Kodiak, DI (1983-86); Emily Ransom, Seward, DII (1990-93); and Briahna Gerlach, Glennallen, DII (2013-16).
Three-time winners include Betsy Haines, East, DI (1975-77); Chris Gilbert, Wasilla, DI (1986-88); Kikkan Randall, West Valley, DI (1998-2000); Trevor Dunbar, Kodiak, DI (2006-08); Kailey Wilson, Kenny Lake, DII (2008-10); Allie Ostrander, Kenai, DI (2012-14); Kendall Kramer, West Valley, DI (2017-19); Tristan Merchant, ACS, DII (2018-20).
The pool of athletes being nominated by the ASR was large, and the following five also received high rankings:
Anna Dalton
The Anchorage runner won the USATF 50K Trail Championships in Yachats, Ore., in a course-record 4 hours, 29 minutes and 20 seconds. The 30-mile course featured nearly 6,000 feet of elevation gain. Dalton, 36, won by 26 minutes and broke the course record by nine minutes. She also became a three-time USATF trail champion, having previously won at half and full marathon distances.
Jeremy Swayman
The Boston Bruins goaltender from Anchorage opened his seventh NHL season in marvelous fashion. The former South High Wolverine earned victories in his first two starts while totaling a 1.48 goals-against average and .947 save percentage. Swayman bagged his 19th career shutout Sept. 29 with a 24-save performance versus the New York Rangers.
Audrey Parks
The Chugiak volleyball player hammered 35 kills – the most in the Cook Inlet Conference since 2012 – to highlight a five-set win over third-ranked South Anchorage. She hit .353 and crushed her previous career high of 20 kills.
Raden Willis
The South Anchorage football player was key in a 43-13 victory over East Anchorage as the junior playmaker went 5-for-5 on kicking PATs, provided a key block on Ethan Yarrington’s first of three touchdown runs and returned an interception 46 yards for a score.
Noah Cummings
The Service football player collected 270 yards of total offense and scored seven touchdowns in a 54-26 victory over Dimond. The quarterback put up 201 yards on the ground with five scores in addition to passing for 69 yards and two scores.
NOTE: Alaska Sports Hall of Fame executive director Harlow Robinson and Alaska sports journalists and photographers, including Beth Bragg, Matt Nevala, ASR co-founder Van Williams, Kathleen Navarre, Arielle Himelbloom, Stephanie Burgoon, Doyle Woody, Jason Metrokin and Juneau Independent sports editor Klas Stolpe vote each week for athletes to be chosen for publishing in the Alaska Sports Report.
• Contact Klas Stolpe at sports@juneauindependent.com
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