Top harriers ready for Southeast Championships in Juneau

For Region V high school racers, the hay is in the barn and it is time to eat

Runners from schools across Southeast Alaska begin the Kayhi Invitational Cross Country women's 5,000 meters race at Ward Lake on September 12. (Photo by Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

By Klas Stolpe  

Juneau Independent

Top high school runners from around Southeast Alaska will be striving — and striding — for team titles and top times Saturday at the Region V Cross Country Running Championships on the Treadwell Mine Trail at Douglas’ Sandy Beach. 

“I am feeling strong and prepared and I think the rest of our team is also strong,” Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Sunna Schane said. “And I am excited to work together and put ourselves out there and just go for it." 

Seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshmen will all get to showcase a season of preparations leading up to this meet. For some, it will be their final team run, for others a path to the state championships in Anchorage next weekend.

“We are looking at focusing on the fundamentals this weekend,” JDHS coach Zack Bursell said. “We are confident in how our teams are performing right now - all they need to do to succeed this weekend is stick to the basics and believe in themselves…The goal is to win both team titles so we can bring all of our varsity runners to the state championship meet.”

Runners from schools across Southeast Alaska begin the Kayhi Invitational Cross Country men's 5,000 meters race at Ward Lake on Saturday, September 12. (Photo by Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

There are four races Saturday. The Division III girls run at 10 a.m., the DIII boys at 10:45 a.m., the combined DI/DII girls at 11:30 a.m. and the combined DI/DII boys at noon. A 9:30 a.m. elementary school race and a 12:30 p.m. open race for all ages (youth through adult, community or visitors) are also scheduled.

“I tried to instill in my runners heading into regions that the work is done,” Ketchikan coach Sean Vail said. “The hay is in the barn. Now it is time to eat. We are a team now, fight for your teammate behind you and chase the one in front of you.”

Division III Wrangell sophomore Jenna Meissner has the fastest Southeast female time of 20 minutes 41 seconds, with DII Sitka sophomore Novah Schmidt on her heels in 20:42, and DI JDHS junior Sigrid Eller hitting 20:56. Their times rank 48th, 49th and 58th, respectively, across all divisions and runners in the state.

Meissner’s time is the third fastest for any DIII female in the state.

“I want our runners to know they have put in the work,” Wrangell coach Mason Villarma said. “All season long, their workouts have trained them so they can run fast and respond to anything. Even though we train them to run fast, time does not matter when you get into the postseason. It is about controlling your emotions, racing smart, finding position and trusting your base and speed to cover any move in the field… I am impressed by the kids who keep building our program. Many have come up through four years with us and grown into amazing student-athletes and young adults with real leadership and grit. Wrangell kids are built different. A school of 67 competing against schools of hundreds or even 1,000+ shows their toughness and dedication.”

Girls cross country runners from schools across Southeast set off on Lincoln Street Saturday on a course that winds through Sitka National Historical Park, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (James Poulson / The Daily Sitka Sentinel)

Schmidt’s time is the eighth fastest for DII female runners across the state. Classmate Lola Hitchcock has run 21:12 — 76th across all state divisions.

“As a coach, I am emphasizing all of the things that happen outside of practice,” Sitka coach Shasta Smith said. “From nutrition and sleep to stress levels. The physical work is mostly done. There is not much fitness to be had, but all of the other things become more important as we near the end of our season.”

Petersburg junior Arielle Tucker has a 21:19 time — 84th across the state in all divisions — and classmate Cadence Flint 21:39 — 106th across the state.

“I try to instill confidence and trust in my runners,” Petersburg coach Kayleigh Lenhard said. “They have put in all the hard work this season and the championship race is all about trusting that preparation, believing in themselves, and leaving it all out on the trail.” 

Eller’s time is 46th fastest among the state’s DI field, and classmate Nevah Lupro has a 21:23 (88th among all state divisions), but cross country course titles change with the twists and turns, the ups and downs and the combined scoring of each runner.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kaia Mangaccat runs during the JDHS Sayeik Scrimmage at Sandy Beach, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

The JDHS girls will run sophomore Maya Mothershead, freshman Coral Nelson, Eller, Lupro, Schane, senior Kaia Mangaccat and freshman Grace Rumsey. Mangaccat is the defending region champion, winning last season in 19:58, Eller was second in 20:18 and Ketchikan - then junior - Ryan Elerding third in 20:38.

"I'm preparing a lot throughout the week while eating big lunches and dinners and just fulfilling meals,” JDHS’ Rumsey said. “And making sure I get enough sleep and making sure I am accurately doing all the workouts so I can have a really good race.”

The Crimson Bears boys will run junior Anderson Murray, senior Logan Fellman, senior Erik Thompson, senior Austin Huang, senior Zach Bos, senior Max Webster and junior Emmett Hightower in the DI race against Ketchikan’s Kings. Thompson is the defending region champion, winning last season in 16:55, with Fellman second in 16:59 and Bos third in 17:16.

"I am approaching regions as I am very excited to be given this opportunity to run and I am really excited and hoping to show everyone around that I belong on this stage,” JDHS’ Murray said. “I am excited to show everyone that I am ready to support the team and carry everyone through the regions and hopefully to state in the near future."

JDHS’ Fellman has the fastest Southeast time with 16:19, sixth fastest in the state. DIII senior Aulix Nelson has run 16:23, the 11th fastest across all state divisions. JDHS senior Logan Fellman has a 17:07, 46th in the state, and classmate Bos 17:11, 50th statewide. DII Stika senior Derek Wilson has the fifth-fastest Southeast time of 17:16, with Ketchikan freshman Benjamin Thompson next at 17:41 and senior teammate Henry Vail 17:47. DIII Skagway junior Logan Rupprecht has run 17:56, JDHS’ Huang 18:03 and Sitka’s Owen Mork 18:05 to round out the Southeast top ten.

"I am approaching regions with a positive mindset and I am super excited to race,” JDHS’ Fellman said.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cross country running fans cheer on a runner during JDHS' Sayeik Scrimmage at Sandy Beach, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

The DI and DII teams will run together but be scored separately. JDHS and Ketchikan represent DI. Mt. Edgecumbe and Sitka represent DII. In both those divisions, the top 10 individual finishers and all members of the top team advance to the DI and DII state tournaments.

The Sitka boys have outscored their crosstown rival MEHS during the season and are odds-on favorites to continue that at regions with their 14th straight title. Eight different Wolves are ranked in the top 10 Region V DII times this season (Wilson, Mork, so Silas Marley, jr Andrew Mullin, jr Silas Todd, so Cedar Starbuck, jr Calvin Strong, jr Leyton Larson), and two from MEHS (fr Duke Walcott, jr Arthur Barr). MEHS senior Benjamin Balluta and junior Connor Hamilton will challenge for placings also.

The Sitka girls have done the same and have a strong possibility to claim their eighth straight region crown. Ten different Sitka girls are ranked in the top 10 fastest DII times this season (Schmidt, Hitchcock, so Mari Fujioka, so Grace Hall, fr Ruby Richter, fr Elizabeth Crosiar, so Cedar Bethune, so Taylor McCarty, sr Zoe Tydingco, sr Sarah Todd). MEHS sophomore Audrina Dull and juniors MaryKay Evon and Macey Langlie can challenge for top 10 finishes, as can Sitka sophomore Piper Johansen but the race will allow just seven runners per team. Hitchcock won the title last season in 21:37.

Members of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cross country running team warm up during practice at Savikko Park on Monday, August 10, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

The JDHS boys have won every 4A and DI region title from 1990 on, and 47 since 1974 — with records for 1986-88 unavailable and Sitka winning the ’89 title. This season could be closer than anticipated if Ketchikan can place their first five scoring runners among the Crimson Bears in such an order as the Kings’ fifth finisher crosses before JDHS. There is a possibility of each team taking five runners to state, including the top team’s seven.

“What has impressed me the most about my team this year is their willingness to push themselves, trust the process, and work together,” Ketchikan coach Vail said. “As for my philosophy, I want kids to know how tough they are. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Hold each other accountable in order to become a better teammate. It is okay to fail, we all do, but it is not the end of the world. Just learn from it.”

The JDHS girls are chasing their 13th straight region title, 34th in the past 36th years, and have won 42 since 1976 — records for 1973-75 and 1986-90 were unavailable and now-defunct Thunder Mountain won in 2012-13. Ketchikan senior Ryan Elerding has run 22:01 this season and can break up the top three Crimson Bears and senior Sarah Kleeman at 22:42, but JDHS may place their seven runners across the line before Ketchikan’s third.

“I am excited to see it all come together for regions,” JDHS co-head coach Abby Jahn said. “They have put in the work and know how to execute everything.” 

Runners from schools across Southeast Alaska begin the Kayhi Invitational Cross Country men's 5,000 Meters race at Ward Lake on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

In DIII the top 15 finishers and all members of the top three teams advance to the DIII state tournament. DIII teams include Angoon, Craig, Gustavus, Haines, Hoonah, Hydaburg, Kake, Klawock, Metlakatla, Petersburg, Skagway, Southeast Island School District, Thorne Bay, Wrangell and Yakutat.

“This year, we have a mix of seasoned runners, newer runners, and some who had to take considerable time off last year due to injury but came back stronger,” Petersburg coach Lenhard said. “I was most impressed by watching each individual push themselves while also contributing to a fun and positive team dynamic. It was especially rewarding to see our more experienced runners not only encourage and motivate, but also teach our freshmen throughout the season. At the same time, watching the freshmen gain confidence and even say ‘I can't wait to race again’ really filled my cup. Of course I am so proud of all of their amazing and consistent races this season too!”

Lenhard is the granddaughter of former longtime Petersburg teacher and cross-country coach Jack Eddy. Petersburg’s home course race is named in his honor.

“My philosophy is based around consistency and longevity in the sport,” Lenhard said. “I would rather that they stay consistent versus feeling like they have to be perfect at every practice or race. Showing up, working hard, listening to their bodies and continuing to come back season after season I find more valuable than having a 'perfect race.' I want these young runners to develop healthy and sustainable relationships with running that continues well beyond their high school days.”

Petersburg High School's Arielle Tucker runs towards the finish line of the Kayhi Invitational Women's 5,000 Meters race at Ward Lake on Saturday, September 12. (Photo by Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

At last season’s Region V championship races in Sitka, Wrangell’s Meissner nipped Petersburg’s Tucker at the finish line to win the Region III girls title, helping the Wolves earn their second team crown in four seasons, and stopping the Vikings from repeating.

This season Wrangell holds three of the fastest top 15 DIII times (Meissner, sr Alana Harrison, fr Erika Jabusch), Petersburg six (Tucker, C. Flint, fr Arya Holmgrain, jr Zia Hulebak, sr Maria Toth and fr Devyn Flint), Craig three (so Jayla Edenshaw, sr Rayne Fraley, so Saranne Stonecipher), Haines two (so Sophia Hedden and fr Violet Crowe) and Kake junior Aurora Davis. 

The Wrangell boys also edged Petersburg — by two points — to secure their fourth straight team title last season. Skagway and Craig finished third and fourth. 

Cross country runners from schools across Southeast set off on Lincoln Street Saturday for a cross country course through Sitka National Historical Park, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (James Poulson / The Daily Sitka Sentinel)

The Wolves have graduated record-setting distance runner — also Gatorade Alaska Boys Track and Field selection — Boomchain Loucks, who edged Craig’s Nelson for the crown. Nelson returns, as does Wrangell senior Jackson Carney, juniors Carter Howell and Lucas Stearns and sophomore Ryder Ritchie. Skagway juniors Rupprecht and Zane Coughran return as does Petersburg sophomore Joseph Hofstetter and senior Waylon Jones. Vikings sophomore Andi Mihai has the DIII fifth-fastest time this season with 18:24. Kake senior Xzavier Munoz-Torres could crack the top 15 along with Craig sophomore’s Jack Conatser, and Allen and Alex Trimmer, and Haines’ sophomore Yeshey Galindo-George.

Skagway runners have hit six of the top 15 best boys DIII times this season (Rupprecht, Coughran, jr Julius Thole, sr Luca Tronrud, jr Dane Ames and jr Arthur Aribam), Wrangell four (Carney, Howell, Ritchie and Stearns), Petersburg two (Mihai and Hofstetter), with Craig’s Nelson topping the list, Haines’ Galindo-George bisecting it, and Kake’s Munoz-Torres holding on.

“My philosophy is to meet kids where they are and help them build from there,” Wrangell coach Villarma said. “To become great at anything, you have to care deeply about it, be willing to do the little things right, and consistently put in the work. My goal is for every athlete to leave the program not only a better runner, but also a better student, teammate and member of the community. And when the work is done, we make sure to enjoy the experience too—good food, movies, the state fair, nice Airbnbs and time together as a team. I want kids to look back on the season as something they will always remember, something that challenged them, brought them closer together, and helped shape them into better people. And if they get really good at running along the way, that is pretty cool, too.”

• Contact Klas Stolpe at sports@juneauindependent.com