Pure Sole: A Crimson Bears harrier on the state course

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Friday soothes the nerves for the Saturday championships

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears cross country running team run along the Bartlett High School trails state course on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. The Crimson Bears race in the Division I ASAA Alaska High School State Championships on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

By Klas Stolpe

Juneau Independent

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears cross-country team jogged a lap along the Bartlett High School on Friday, seemingly without a care.

They boarded an early Alaska Airlines flight that morning, bringing on an energy that involved jumping for a photo in the Juneau terminal, playing a few games and visiting as the engines roared. Then many drifted to sleep until announcements, or pesky peers, woke them.

A hotel check-in and then study hours at Z.J. Loussac Library and finally, the reason they were in Anchorage — the ASAA Alaska High School State Championships — and a chance to preview the course before a team dinner.

One lap, two laps, some strides and a bit of mind relaxation. Even throwing a ball for the ASAA event coordinator’s Burmese Mountain poodle — yes, a mix of puppy excitement.

Saturday will hold hopes and dreams, successes and near misses, and the culmination of years of understanding just what cross-country running is about.

Fitness is really important for the final race of the season BUT — and this is a big “coordinating conjunction” —it is all about execution in the championship races.

It is doing everything right.

At the state championships, a Crimson Bears runner has to be able to anticipate what the field is going to do. Runners may go out hard and be excited in the beginning.

A lot of runners mid-pack will be working the uphills too hard and resting on the downhills, which is not an efficient way to race a cross-country 5K.

Being able to be efficient, being able to move up in the pack and not get stuck, and being able to move well through all the different terrain are the keys, despite all the pressure, expectations and all the noise.

The Bartlett Trails course is two laps.

The start is on a flat, grassy field and once into the main part of the course in the lap it is constant up and down.

The “meat” section has three main climbs, which come around to empty runners back onto the flat again for lap two. The dreaded three hills again and then an exhausted sprint finish on the flat.

The first of the three hills, 1/4-mile after the start, is the biggest. Runners will be pumping arms, their heads down, grinding to the top.

To do well here, a Crimson Bears runner has to be willing to push the pace, get out hard and not be bottled in. However, they must be aware to not reach the upper level of exertion on that climb. Running on the edge. Knowing their body and mind well enough to have the confidence to push, but to also hold back just enough so that in the later stages of the race, when the course really counts, they are able to make a move.

It is hard to prepare during the season for the excitement surrounding the state championships, the fast runners and the big crowds. JDHS’ key is they are senior-laden. Most have been here before. They know what to expect.

The Crimson Bears are healthy. Their Region V championship meet was impressive. The depth of the team crushed the course.

Fueling for each individual has been perfected over the season. Carbohydrates are important, but knowing the time of day is also a factor. A later race allows for more protein in the morning.

Crimson Bears know what works best for them.

Bring on the bagels, oatmeal, eggs, yogurt and granola.

Bring on the Crimson Bears.

They are ready.

They are aware of temptation, know the right spot for themselves, and have the understanding of their own sense of pace.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears cross country running team pose for a photo at the Bartlett High School trails state course on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. The Crimson Bears race in the Division I ASAA Alaska High School State Championships on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

NOTE: The JDHS state harriers are seniors Kaia Mangaccat, Erik Thompson, Logan Fellman, Zachariah Bos, Austin Huang and Max Webster; juniors Sigrid Eller, Nevah Lupro, Sunna Schane, Emmett Hightower, and Anderson Murray; sophomore Maya Mothershead; and freshmen Coralynn Nelson and Grace Rumsey.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RACES:

The Division III girls race at 10 a.m., the DIII boys at 11 a.m.

The DII girls race at noon, the DI girls at 12:45 p.m.

The DII boys race at 1:30 p.m., the DI boys at 2:15 p.m.