Knights boys, girls earn team berths for championships

PALMER — The Colony boys used their senior trio and the girls did it with freshmen. Now both Colony cross-country squads are headed to the state championships.

The Colony boys finished second and the girls third during the Region III Championships in Seward last Saturday, and each squad will represent CHS at the ASAA/First National Bank State Championships at Bartlett High School on Saturday.

“To know we’re the only school in the region to have two teams (in state), it’s a real big deal,” Colony coach Rhonda Knopp said Monday evening. “It’s exciting for Colony.”

The Colony boys were among three teams separated by only six points at the top of the Region III boys’ standings. Kodiak won its 12th consecutive region title with 42 overall points. Colony finished second with 45, just ahead of Kenai’s 48.

Prior to the meet, judging by the results of recent meets this season, Kodiak seemed in jeopardy of being knocked off the top of the Region III ladder, a position the Bears have owned for more than a decade. Kenai, which has consistently placed two runners in the top 3 of Region III-dominated races, emerged as a potential favorite, along with the Knights.

“We were hoping to beat Kenai, and we ended up doing that,” Knopp said.

But Kodiak did just enough to win the title, placing three in the top 7 and five in the top 17. Even though the Knights were just shy of the title, Knopp said her athletes are elated about their success.

“You’d think the kids were disappointed, but they were happy to get to the state championships, and are really looking forward to this week,” Knopp said.

Colony senior trio, which has lived in the top 10 this season, each placed in the top 8. Brandon Schafer led the Knights with a fourth-place finish. Boaz Sessom followed at fifth, and Lyon Kopsack was eighth.

“Those senior boys, they are definitely key on the team,” Knopp said. “I couldn’t ask for more from them.”