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Kaia Mangaccat wins girls’ state XC championship
JDHS girls place seventh in DI, Petersburg girls win D3 title, Sitka girls second in D2
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
One of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kaia Mangaccat’s favorite things is running in nature and on her favorite trail across the Juneau Ridge.
“I have just run in a lot of different places,” Mangaccat said. “I love seeing all the nature and like running up mountains and seeing the view at the top.”
On Saturday, Mangaccat found herself among falling leaves, a chilly autumn breeze and tumultuous terrain on the Bartlett High School trails, and turned her favorite things into a Division I Alaska State Cross-Country Championship with a time of 18 minutes 32 seconds. And the view at the top of the podium looked incredible.
“I was just really happy to run with my friends and teammates,” Mangaccat said. “My coach told me to just run within myself, and I just focused on myself. I am so happy and my teammates all ran hard.”
Mangaccat said she had wanted a state title since her first race in her freshman season.
“I got really nervous before it, and I got a stomachache and dropped out like a kilometer in,” Mangaccat said. “I was 13 years old and it was at Sandy Beach. I started running in eighth grade because a lot of my friends were doing running and I liked all the games that we played. Running just feels good. I am so happy that I won a title for my team and for Juneau.”
She said she was nervous before Saturday’s race. But “it felt really good when I started running. I was really relaxed. I had gone over a race strategy with my coaches and they said to think about myself on the course and all the work I put in.”
Mangaccat went stride for stride with Chugiak freshman Claire Shaha to the 1-kilometer mark, inching away from West Anchorage sophomore Chloe Hayner, West senior Kendall Barnett and Kodiak freshman Charlotte Deemer as the starting field of 81 runners on the flats was broken down quickly along the first long hill.
Mangaccat took the lead on a downhill over the 1K. She had a second advantage over Shaha starting the 2K, four seconds at 3K and 17 seconds at 4K. She kept the pace to win by 12 seconds, to Shaha’s 18:44. Mangaccat’s time averaged out to 3:42 minutes per kilometer or 5:58 minutes per mile.
“I am really proud of Kaia,” JDHS co-coach Abby Jahn said. “She executed her plan well and ran a really awesome, tactical race to take the win. The state championships are a big arena and championship racing can add a lot of pressure. She did a great job under pressure and ran so well. It's pretty cool to watch her take the lead that early and maintain a lead all the way to the end. There are so many talented athletes in the state right now. It's really cool to watch them all line up together and put it all out there.”
Hayner placed third in 19:03, Barnett fourth in 19:05, and Deemer fifth in 19:06.7, just edging Chugiak sophomore Maddison Kukuk in 19:06.9. Rounding out the top 10 were Palmer senior Karley Tichenor in 19:21, East Anchorage senior Madeleine Lojewski in 19:23, Service junior Fiona Selves in 19:24 and Colony senior Aubrey Virgin in 19:25.
JDHS junior Sigrid Eller was the second Crimson Bears runner across the finish, placing 34th in 20:48.
“I loved the race,” Eller said. “The race is super fun. I think state is like a totally different energy. Everyone is there and everyone is excited for each other, and I think it is really awesome.”
JDHS freshman Coralynn Nelson placed 48th in 21:30 and junior Nevah Lupro 50th in 21:34,
“I think it was really fun,” Nelson said. “It is a nice course. The hills are pretty hard, but you just have to push up them.”
Lupro said, “It was really fun and the hills didn’t seem as bad as I was expecting. I pushed up them hard and I enjoyed it.”
JDHS freshman Grace Rumsey placed 60th in 21:56, senior Kaycee Parady 62nd in 22:06 and sophomore Emmalynn LaPlante 70th in 22:58.
“The state course was actually really fun,” Parady said. “I was really excited and nervous at the beginning and then I just started running and it was really cool to see everyone run together, even though it was really hard.”
Rumsey said, “It was so fun running with the team. I was using Ricky Worl’s tactic to target jerseys and reel them in.”
Worl is one of the assistant and volunteer coaches along with Merry Ellefson, Tristan Knutson-Lombardo, Elizabeth Ramseth, Hilary Young, Geoff Roes, Annika Ord, Jesse Miller, John Nagel, John Bursell, Jenny Strumfield, Therese Pokorney, Tim Mikulski and Ian Novak.
“The girls team was fun to watch,” JDHS co-coach Zack Bursell said. “They were vibing out there. I think we saw a glimpse of what this team will be for the next few years. We have a young girls team that is well connected. I am excited to see what they are going to do together in the future.”
The JDHS girls will have to do it without Mangaccat, who hopes to run in college next year. She leaves the Crimson Bears with their first girls’ state cross-country title since freshman Sadie Tuckwood won in 2016. Leah Francis won state titles as a freshman in ’06, as a sophomore in ’07, and a junior in ’08. Tuckwood was selected Alaska Gatorade Athlete of the Year for cross-country (’16) as was Francis (’06, ’07 for cross-country, ’08 for track). Senior Tyler Dinnan won the only Crimson Bears’ boys state title in 2005. The girls have won two team state team championships (1995 and 2018) and the boys two (2003 and 2004).
“I am just honored,” Mangaccat said. “I don’t really know what to say. I love to run.”
Also Saturday, Ketchikan senior Ryan Elerding placed 65th in 22:17, senior Sarah Kleeman 73rd in 23:27 and senior Madelyn Gass 78th in 24:59.
“Watching Ryan finish with a smile was a great sight to see for her last race,” Ketchikan coach Sean Vail said.
Chugiak won the girls’ team title with 59 points, Colony was runner-up with 83, followed by Service 84, East Anchorage 98, West Anchorage 104, West Valley 141, JDHS 168, Kodiak 184, Wasilla 238 and North Pole 324.
PETERSBURG GIRLS WIN DIII STATE TITLE
The Petersburg Vikings girls won the Division III Alaska State Cross-Country Championship by placing three runners in the top 10 individual finishes, including junior Arielle Tucker, who placed third in 20:47. She out-sprinted Wrangell sophomore Jenna Meissner, who finished in 20:48.
“I feel great,” Tucker said. “I thought it was a good race.”
This was Tucker’s first career win over Meissner, and she did it with a season-best time, and in a personal best time for this course.
“I guess having her in sight was a really good thing for pacing,” Tucker said. “I don’t know, I felt like I had a little bit more in me at the end and pushed a little harder.”
The Vikings won the team title with 12 points, Wrangell was runner-up with 23, followed by Dillingham 27, Craig 31, Unalaska 45, Scammon Bay 69, Sand Point 71, Nenana 82 and Tuluksak 92.
Tucker held off a final sprint by Meissner along the grass infield lined with cheering fans.
“I was so glad it was right there and not any further back,” Tucker said. “I was ready to finish. We came here to win the team championship.”
Cordova freshman Sierra Westing won the DIII girls title in 19:42 and Tanalian sophomore Autumn Oettinger was second in 20:41.
This is the second state title for Petersburg. Wrangell won the state championship last season with Meissner placing first and Tucker second. Petersburg won in 2024 with freshman Tucker placing fourth. Prior to 2019, the current DIII Southeast teams were in DII along with Sitka and Mt. Edgecumbe, and prior to that all were in the combined 1A/2A/3A classification. That meant they faced traditional powers Homer, Seward, ACS, Kenai and Grace Christian. JDHS and Ketchikan have always remained in the DI or 4A classification.
“Proud, excited, and just so happy for the Vikings,” Petersburg coach Kayleigh Lenhard said. “Similarly to regionals, I told the girls to go out there, trust the work that they have already put in, and have fun. I reminded them that they already know the technique and strategies that work for them, and to play into their strengths without trying anything new. The key for them was to conserve on the first loop and start passing competitors on the second lap. They also run in somewhat of a pack and so that played to their advantage. Lastly, these girls worked so hard during their hill workouts in practice, which I think really paid off today. It had been such an honor to work with such a strong and resilient group of young ladies.”
The top 10 state finishers will all return next season. Glennallen junior Mariah Abbott placed fifth in 21:05, Dillingham freshman Haylee Schollmeier sixth in 21:26, Petersburg junior Cadence Flint seventh in 22:15, Craig sophomore Jayla Edenshaw eighth in 22:21, Dillingham sophomore Michaela Savo ninth in 22:26 and Petersburg freshman Arya Holmgrain 10th in 22:26.
“It was really great because we have had this goal all season,” junior Cadence Flint said. “As soon as I crossed the finish line I knew that we won, and it was so amazing.”
Said Holmgrain, “I was having a goal to get pretty far ahead and I wanted to be close enough where I could see my teammates, and today I did that. So it really just like made me happy, especially to end on such a good note. And then growing with this team has just been such a blessing. I just love this team so much and I am thankful for this ending.”
Craig’s Edenshaw said, “The meet was very cold but I kind of like running in the cold, it is kind of refreshing. You feel lighter. I felt like I could have done better, but it felt good. It means a lot to Craig because in the last few years we have had a good team but not an amazing team and to be around Aulis (Craig’s senior boy champion Aulis Nelson) is amazing. He is a huge role model and an amazing person to look up to.”
Just four seniors graduate from the top 30 state DIII placings.
Petersburg freshman Devyn Flint placed 18th in 23:18, senior Maria Toth 20th in 24:05 and junior Zia Hulebak 23rd in 24:23
“It was really exciting because I have been wanting to do really good as a team and we were all really close together,” D. Flint said. “And I wanted to win state with my sister. It was so exciting.”
Said Hulebak, “I feel pretty great. This is our second time winning state. It wasn’t my best race but I am just so proud of our team and how we have done.”
Wrangell’s Meisser will be back next season.
“I had an off race,” Meisser said. “I felt pretty sick. I just got out there and tried to do what I could for our team. I think the cold kind of affected me, but other than that it is what it is. I am going to come back next year and try to get up there. You just try to do your best. On your sick days, get out there and try to get what you can get. This team has meant a lot. We have two seniors that really meant a lot to this team, and we just try to get out there and do our best for them. It is what it is, and we will come back next year and try our best.”
Wolves senior teammate Alana Harrison placed 11th in 22:29 and freshman Erika Jabusch 19th in 23:47.
“Oh man, this season is so bittersweet,” Harrison said. “I love cross-country and I have been with this team since my eighth grade year, I was practicing with the high school team. I have seen it grow and I have been through building years and peak years. It is really exciting and sad that I am leaving this team, but I feel good about where I left them. I mean, you know, being from a small community it is just such a family. I feel like our team is like a family, all supporting each other and man, I know Jenna pushed her hardest for me and I am very grateful for that.”
Other Southeast finishers include: 14th Haines sophomore Sophia Hedden 23:02; 16th HNS freshman Violet Crowe 23:12.1; 17th Craig senior Rayne Fraley 23:12.6; 22nd CRG sophomore Saranne Stonecipher 24:16; 29th Hoonah senior Easton Ross 25:28; 30th Kake junior Aurora Davis 25:44; 38th CRG senior Ashlynn Smith 26:42; 49th CRG senior Madison Conatser 27:50; and 51st CRG sophomore Alli Demmert 28:05.
Wrangell coach Mason Villarma noted that Meissner, “Was also fighting some sickness, but she still managed to finish 4th in the state. I know she was disappointed because her expectations for herself are so high, but you’d hardly know it. Jenna is a class act and a champion at heart. I have no doubt this little setback will only motivate her more. Alana Harrison ran a really solid race. She stayed controlled, looked strong throughout, and despite being sick herself, still managed an 11th-place finish. Erika Jabusch also gained some valuable State experience this year. She has continued to improve, and I expect her to be a big contributor to this team next season.”
Villarma said seniors Jackson Carney and Alana Harrison, “Have given much to this program over the last four years. Jackson was part of our 2024 State team, helped Wrangell win four regional titles, and capped his high school cross-country career with an individual runner-up finish at State. Alana helped make history last year as part of the 2025 girls team that won Wrangell’s first girls team State Championship in any sport. They’re both driven leaders who make the people around them better, and that’s a legacy that goes well beyond running.”
Lastly, Villarma thanked assistant coach Laura Davies.
“She deserves a tremendous amount of credit,” Villarma said. “She has been an incredible asset to our program. The kids love her, they trust her, and she has become the rock this program needs to continue building year after year. We’ll celebrate this season, say goodbye to two great seniors, and then get back to work. 2nd place is pretty good motivation. That says a lot about their grit, their commitment to one another, and the culture they’ve built.”
SITKA GIRLS CAP OFF DII SEASON WITH RUNNER-UP STATE FINISH
The Sitka Wolves ran in the definition of a pack, finishing as runner-up to Grace Christian for the team title by two points without placing a runner in the top 10.
Sitka sophomore Novah Schmidt placed 11th in 21:42, sophomore Lola Hitchcock 12th in 21:44, freshman Ruby Richter 13th in 21:50, sophomore Mari Fujioka 15th in 21:54, sophomore Grace Hall 16th in 22:05, freshman Elizabeth Crosiar 25th in 23:19 and sophomore Cedar Bethune 44th in 25:03.
“There was just a 22-second spread between our first and fifth runners, which was unprecedented in my career,” Sitka coach Shasta Smith said. “I have never seen that. I was so incredibly proud of this team. I told them that regardless of the outcome, I wanted them to finish knowing they gave their very best effort. They exceeded my expectations. The future looks bright for the ladies. Five sophomores and two freshmen that are coming on strong.”
Grace Christian scored 48, Sitka 50, Homer 65, Kenai 72, and Bethel 119.
Sitka drafted off each other as they kept pace through the first two kilometers. Schmidt, Hitchcock, Richter, Fujioka and Hall kept their eyes on various opposing team runners, noting the number of jerseys needed to stay near or above.
“It was awesome because we were all working together as a team and we were all right next to each other,” Schmidt said. “We were all using each other to move forward and just battle. It helps a lot knowing your teammates are right there. It was very cold on the course. This race is super big for us. We are all just super proud of each other. It is awesome to work together. Especially with our team because it is all freshmen and sophomores so it is great to know that we are all just going to keep getting better.”
Seward junior Olive Jordan won the race in 19:47 with Homer junior Ariela Garvey second in 19:48 and Grace Christian’s first two scorers coming across in third and fourth — junior Ashlyn Elliot in 20:03 and senior Hazel Tulip in 20:48.
Rounding out the top 10 were: 5th Etta Bynagle junior HOM 20:57; 6th Ruby Davis senior Kenai 21:03; 7th Olivia Jones freshman Mountain City Christian Academy 21:14; 8th Gemma Geyer sophomore Monroe 21:20; 9th Maya Iverson freshman Bethel 21:28; and 10th Sydney Mondeel senior GC 21:32.
“It was amazing,” Sitka’s Richter said. “It was such a dream in middle school to be able to run on this team, I didn’t ever think that I would be running varsity. And I PR’d by ten seconds, which is crazy. And it was so great to run with my team. My team is amazing and we are all so close. And they are all so uplifting and we all love each other so much. We were right together the whole time, all ahead the entire time and we just petered out at the last. I think we can definitely win a team title and we are such a young team, we still have two more years to get better than we are. So I think we definitely can.”
Just six seniors graduate from the top 30 state placings.
Other Southeast finishers included Mt. Edgecumbe junior MaryKay Evon placing 43rd in 25:02, senior Ilana Kalke 46th in 25:13 and sophomore Audrina Dull 58th in 27:20.
• Contact Klas Stolpe at sports@juneauindependent.com
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