Fabulous freshmen

PALMER — Kenny Lake’s Kailey Wilson has been dubbed the “freshman phem” of the 1-2-3A class, a distinction she lived up to by winning a state title in just her first year. But Wilson is not the only ninth-grader catching attention in the small-schools running circuit.

Susitna Valley has a pretty good freshman of its own.

Su Valley freshman Bailey Stevenson ran to a fifth-place finish during the ASAA/First National Bank 1-2-3A Girls State Cross Country Running Championships on the Michael Janecek Running Trails at Palmer High School on Saturday.

Stevenson used a time of 20 minutes and 28 seconds to snag the fifth-place finish in the first state championship race of her young career.

“I wanted top-five and I got fifth,” Stevenson said after the race. “I’m excited.”

Stevenson spent much of the race running in the seventh slot, but used a late surge to sprint into the top-five.

“She’s got a phenominal kick,” Su Valley coach Jane Buskirk said. “I let her know with 1-kilometer left and she just took off. She can run that last K in 3:30 to 3:40, so we knew she could reel ’em in.”

Wilson used a time of 19:09 to win the 1-2-3A title. Stevenson finished as the runner-up to Wilson in the Region II Championships, a race that should mark just the beginning of a long rivalry between the two young runners.

“We’re going to see them for years to come,” Buskirk said. “It’s nice seeing that, get some fresh blood in those races.”

Allison Barnwell (19:23) of Seward finished second, while Grace Christian’s Holly Kopp (third, 20:02) and Mariah Applegate (fourth, 20:176) also finished in the top-five.

Stevenson trailed Stoli Lende of Haines and Jordan Lisac of Dillingham during the race, but passed both runners during the third lap.

Stevenson’s teammate Missy Scott, one of two Su Valley runners in the race, finished 35th with a time of 22:28.

“She had a great race too,” Buskirk said of Scott. “A real strong finish for her.”

Four Grace Chrisian runners finished in the top 10 to lead the Grizzlies to their first team title since 2005.

Tyler Figley led Susitna Valley with a 66th-place finish in the boys’ race. Figley finished with a time of 19:33 in the race.

Bill Kelly (74th, 19:42), Skyler Hamler (86th, 20:08), Brandon Parry (95th, 21:27), Mike Stevenson (96th, 21:43) and Lee Bloczynski (99th, 25:34) also competed in the race for the Rams.

Grace Christian completed the small-schools sweep by also winning the boys’ team title. Grace’s Jacob Kirk won the individual title, and the Grizzlies placed three runners in the top seven.

ASAA State Cross Country Running Championships

1-2-3A Girls

Saturday, Palmer

Team scores:

1. Grace Christian 25, 2. Seward 58, 3. Sitka 107, 4. Bethel 112, 5. Haines 114, 6. Nome 115, 7. Eielson 170, 8. Anchorage Christian 235.

Individual results:

1. Wilson, Kailey, Kenny Lake, 19:09.2; 2. Barnwell, Allison, Seward, 19:23.1; 3. Kopp, Holly, Grace, 20:02.8; 4. Applegate, Mariah, Grace, 20:17.5; 5. Stevenson, Bailey, Su-Valley, 20:28.7; 6. Lende, Stoli, Haines, 20:34.6; 7. Lisac, Jordan, Dillingham H, 20:34.9; 8. Dupea, Marjie, Grace, 20:37.0; 9.Jensen, Amanda, Skagway, 20:56.8; 10. Gionet, Jaala, Grace, 21:04.5; 11. Stong, Katie, Port Lions, 21:11.5; 12. Paustian, Kari, Sitka, 21:12.2; 13. Atherton, Kristina, Seward, 21:18.0; 14. Hunter, Jackyln, Scammon Bay, 21:23.7; 15. Davis, BethAnne, Grace, 21:26.8; 16. Hale, Brandi, Mount Edgecumbe, 21:36.2; 17. Bennett, Lizzy, Monroe, 21:40.0; 18. Pellumbi, Eniana, Bethel High, 21:42.7; 19. Klejka, Jennifer, Bethel High, 21:47.2; 20. Cresap, Sarah, Grace, 21:48.3; 21. Loughlin, Julie Anne, Grace, 21:52.2; 22. Esbenshade, Christina, Yakutat, 22:04.7; 23. Zweifel, Catie, Seward, 22:07.9; 24. Carter, Cori, Tri Valley, 22:10.1; 25. Mocan, Thresia, Nome Beltz H, 22:10.9; 26. Schreder, Nicole, Monroe, 22:12.2; 27. Sefton, Kelley, Seward, 22:15.1; 28. Brady, Bailey, Sitka, 22:15.3; 29. Schneider, Jessica, Akiachak, 22:17.6; 30. Lemieux, Jolene, Haines, 22:18.0; 31. Frisch, Lara, Valdez, 22:21.9; 32. Schreder, Megan, Monroe, 22:25.8; 33. Barnwell, Mackenzie, Seward, 22:26.5; 34. Rohlman, Keya, Sitka, 22:28.2; 35. Scott, Missy, Su-Valley, 22:28.5; 36. O'Daniel, Kaylie, Skagway, 22:29.3; 37. Arneson, Sadie, Cook Inlet, 22:36.1; 38. Byman, Meg, Eielson, 22:44.1; 39. Olson, AnnieKate, Nome Beltz H, 22:44.9; 40. Luce, Liz, Nome Beltz H, 22:50.1; 41. Larson, Tristen, Valdez, 22:52.0; 42. Rasmussen, Marnie, Haines, 22:56.2; 43. Cleveland, Jerrilyn, Shungnak, 22:59.4; 44. Lemieux, Crystal, Haines, 23:00.9; 45. Horner, Richelle, Nome Beltz H, 23:02.5; 46. Beans-Polk, Chelsey, Bethel High, 23:08.3; 47. Hickerson, Winona, Kotzebue, 23:09.6; 48. Bauder, Lauren, Cook Inlet, 23:10.9; 49. Rasmussen-Rehkopf, Sarah, Sitka, 23:12.7; 50. Lammer, Renee, Nome Beltz H, 23:14.3; 51. Murtiff, Mickey, Eielson, 23:14.7; 52. Burgess, Tammy, Point Hope, 23:15.6; 53. Greene, Crystal, Delta, 23:20.8; 54. McElwee, Christina, Bethel High, 23:22.2; 55. Feemster, Samantha, Seward, 23:22.8; 56. Chavez, Charmae, Bethel High, 23:24.1; 57. Reed, Julie Ann, Kiana, 23:25.2; 58. Alvanna-Stempfle, Maddy, Nome Beltz H, 23:26.5; 59. Lovett, Alyson, Sitka, 23:27.2; 60. Howard, Breanna, Eielson, 23:33.6; 61. Boyd-Griffith, Taylor, Eielson, 23:36.1; 62. Webb, Justine, Sitka, 23:38.9; 63. Medinger, Kathryn, Sitka, 23:41.2; 64. Thompson, Krystal, ACS, 23:43.0; 65. Norcross, Mariann, Seward, 23:46.4; 66. Nash, Crystal, Chevak, 23:54.2; 67. Forbes, Lauren, Bethel High, 23:54.7; 68. Erlich, Jamie, Kotzebue, 23:56.1; 69. Agwiak, Tiffany, Mountain Village, 23:57.7; 70. McGill,

Amanda, Dillingham H, 24:01.8; 71. Daly, Fran, Haines, 24:05.4; 72. Brush, Kelsey, Cook Inlet, 24:06.6; 73. Settle, Cecily, Galena Jr/Sr, 24:12.3; 74. Cosca, Billie, Nome Beltz H, 24:13.3; 75. Uttereyuk, Carla, Scammon Bay, 24:16.5; 76. Willis, Sabrina, ACS, 24:26.8; 77. Taylor, Chelsea, Eielson, 24:42.0; 78. Winkler, Anitra, Cantwell, 24:51.3; 79. Wrigley, Mallory, Delta, 24:58.9. 80. Belt, MacKenzie, Eielson, 25:32.7; 81. Sorenson, Mackensie, Eielson, 25:33.1; 82. Jaconette, Olivia, ACS, 25:42.9; 83. Thibodeaux, Briana, ACS, 26:10.4; 84. Jimmie, Angel, Nenana, 26:19.9; 85. Meadows, Alex, ACS, 26:21.4; 86. Baker, Rachel, ACS, 26:27.8; 87. Reichard, Madi, Bethel High, 26:48.5; 88. Daly, Maggie, Haines, 26:52.4; 89. Jones, Abby, Haines, 28:41.0; 90. Dederick, Kaitlyn, Cook Inlet, 34:46.6.

1-2-3A Boys

Team scores:

1. Grace Christian 30, 2. Seward 85, 3. Anchorage Christian 91, 4. Mount Edgecumbe 121, 5. Chevak 139, 6. Sitka 142, 7. Nome 162, 8. Tri Valley 190, 9. Eielson 206, 10. Susitna Valley 276.

Individual results:

1. Kirk, Jacob, Grace, 16:16.2; 2. Andersen, Tyler, ACS, 16:48.5; 3. Holly, Josh, Cook Inlet, 16:49.6; 4. Karlberg, Leif, Grace, 16:59.5; 5. Price, Travis, Seward, 17:05.9; 6. Head, Jeremy, Nome Beltz H, 17:10.6; 7. Arnold, Andrew, Grace, 17:13.6; 8. Payenna, Teddy, Mount Edgecumbe, 17:17.1; 9. Wilson, MickeY, Skagway, 17:22.5; 10. Best, Nick, Eielson, 17:23.1; 11. Weber, John, Grace, 17:30.2; 12. Coffey, Daniel, Craig, 17:33.9; 13. Paniyak, Harald, Chevak, 17:34.2; 14. Cotter, Caleb, Grace, 17:40.4; 15. Talerico, Andrew, Tri Valley, 17:43.8; 16. Chase, Brett, Seward, 17:44.1; 17. Freidman, Nico, Sitka, 17:44.7; 18. Keeney, George, Valdez, 17:46.6; 19. Arneson, Lars, Cook Inlet, 17:50.9; 20. Howell, Patrick, Wrangell, 17:52.6; 21. Davis, Caleb, Grace, 17:57.3; 22. Charters, Luke, ACS, 17:57.5; 23. LePore, Corbin, Bethel High, 18:01.6; 24. Baxter, Ryan, Craig, 18:03.1; 25. Dillon, Joseph, Grace, 18:03.6; 26. Hanson, Randy, Bethel High, 18:04.0; 27. Baker, Matt, ACS, 18:05.0; 28. Stooksbury, Stephen, ACS, 18:08.4; 29. Weber, Quinn, Skagway, 18:09.4; 30. Hunter, Jeremy, Scammon Bay, 18:10.3; 31. Tennyson, Reed, Dillingham H, 18:10.6; 32. Hughes, Blake, Hutchison, 18:11.7; 33. Rogers, Jesse, Mount Edgecumbe, 18:12.6; 34. Buchanan, Andrew, Seward, 18:14.4; 35. Andrews, Brian, Chevak, 18:15.0; 36. Olsen, Ryan, Haines, 18:17.7; 37. Haddow, Tyler, Seward, 18:23.3; 38. Gillespie, Austin, Seward, 18:27.3; 39. Olson, Blake, Dillingham H, 18:33.8; 40. MacIntyre, Stephen, Sitka, 18:35.0; 41. Carter, Jake, Tri Valley, 18:35.9; 42. Kahler, James, Sitka, 18:37.4; 43. Strickland, Sebastian, Nikiski, 18:38.0; 44. Johnson, Steven, Wrangell, 18:38.4; 45. Talerico, Jonathan, Tri Valley, 18:43.9; 46. Copeland, William, Mount Edgecumbe, 18:47.0; 47. Sia, Ian, Mount Edgecumbe, 18:54.7; 48. Ferguson, Conor, Chevak, 18:55.2; 49. Conger, Emerson, Nome Beltz H, 18:55.6; 50. Reich, Brad, Kiana, 18:58.5; 51. Jackson, Martin, Kwethluk, 19:00.5; 52. Weldon, Alex, Eielson,19:01.5; 53. Woolsey, Sam, Sitka, 19:02.1; 54. Chavez, Ryan, Bethel High, 19:05.6; 55. Rogers, Matthew, Mount Edgecumbe, 19:09.1; 56. Williams, Ryan,ACS, 19:13.3; 57. Matchian, Lawrance, Chevak, 19:16.3; 58. Wongittilin, Mikey, Nome Beltz H, 19:23.5; 59. Matchian, Thurl, Chevak, 19:24.3; 60. Ballot, Linus, Buckland, 19:24.6; 61. Sullivan, Tim, Nome Beltz H, 19:28.2; 62. Ulroan, Warren, Chevak, 19:28.5; 63. Sanders, David, Tanana, 19:28.9; 64. Longridge, Ian, Sitka, 19:30.8; 65. Noratak, Arnold, Mount Edgecumbe, 19:32.3; 66. Figley, Tyler, Su-Valley, 19:33.2; 67. Zweifel, Mike, Seward, 19:33.5; 68. Finn, Matt, ACS, 19:34.5; 69. Field, Tim, Noorvik, 19:34.9; 70. Wongittilin, Jon, Nome Beltz H, 19:36.4; 71. Hoch, Dylan, ACS, 19:40.1; 72. Magdanz, Grant, Kotzebue, 19:40.3; 73. Gale, Cooper, Sitka, 19:40.7; 74. Kelley, Bill, Su-Valley, 19:42.9; 75. Johnson, Jordon, Mount Edgecumbe, 19:44.7; 76. Hill, Scott, Nenana, 19:46.9; 77. Gould, Nick, Eielson, 19:49.8; 78. Heintz, John, Delta, 19:51.3; 79. Jacobson, Zach, Eielson, 19:51.8; 80. Solie, Tyler, Cook Inlet, 19:52.4; 81. Herman, Charlie, Delta, 19:55.1; 82. Boyscout, Travis, Chevak, 19:55.5; 83. Blandford, Nathan, Nome Beltz H, 19:57.0; 84. Cloward, Andy, Seward, 20:03.5; 85. Miller, Jared, Kotzebue, 20:06.3; 86. Hamler, Skyler, Su-Valley, 20:08.2; 87. Tirrell, Tony, Delta, 20:10.8; 88. Beier, Christian, Heritage, 20:16.8; 89. Rima, Kevin, Hutchison, 20:22.9; 90. Booshu, Lonny, Nome Beltz H, 20:32.9; 91. Burbank, Rocky, Tri Valley, 20:47.3; 92. Brouillard, Ross, Monroe, 20:49.6; 93. Brewer, Chris, Eielson, 21:17.4; 94.Valero, Jeremy, Eielson, 21:18.9; 95. Parry, Brandon, Su-Valley, 21:27.7; 96. Stevenson, Mike, Su-Valley, 21:43.5; 97. Mallula, Billy, Eielson, 21:45.7; 98. Shreeve, Sterling, Tri Valley, 23:20.5; 99. Bloczynski, Lee, Su-Valley, 25:34.6.