Knights lead Valley skiers in state meet

ANCHORAGE — Greta Jenkins was the top Valley skier during the first day of the ASAA/First National Bank State Nordic Skiing Championships at Kincaid Park in Anchorage Thursday.

Jenkins used a 27th-place finish to help Colony move into seventh in the girls’ team standings. Jenkins finished the 5-kilometer classic race in 19 minutes and 43 seconds.

Anne Woodings led the Palmer Moose with a time of 21:17 in the classic. Teammate Kiersten Johnson was only about four seconds off Woodings’ pace.

Danika Ingersoll led Wasilla with a time of 22:42. Wasilla’s Riley Burroughs followed Ingersoll into the finish chute with a time of 22:49.

Colony also had the top Valley skier in the boys race. Brandon Schafer placed 31st to lead the Knights. He finished with a time of 24:06.

Tobin Sworts led the Moose with a mark of 25:16, and Colton Pulver led Wasilla, finishing at 26:58.

Action continues with the mass start freestyle technique races. The girls’ 7.5-K is at 11 a.m. and the boys’ 10-K starts at noon.

The mixed technique relays are slated for Saturday, with the girls at 11 a.m. and boys at 12:30 p.m.

ASAA/First National Bank State

Nordic Skiing Championships

Thursday, Kincaid Park

Girls team standings:

1. South 1:10:07; 2. Service 1:13:15; 3. East 1:13:40; 4. Chugiak 1:15:50; 5. Grace 1:16:48; 6. West 1:17:20; 7. Colony 1:22:12; 8. West Valley 1:23:19; 9. Soldotna 1:23:48; 10. Lathrop 1:25:19; 11. Palmer 1:27:00; 12. Homer 1:27:40; 13. Kenai 1:27:53; 14. Eagle River 1:29:30; 15. Dimond 1:30:46; 16. Skyview 1:33:29.

Girls individual results (top 10):

1. L. Blanchet, West 16:40; 2. M. Woods, Sou 17:01; 3. M. Flynn, West 17:30; 4. J. Hoefler, Sou 17:33; 5. T. Mahlen, Sou 17:35; 6. S. Hartke, Chu 17:42; 7. A. Spencer, Ser 17:50; 8. S. Lammers, Chu 17:53; 9. T. Hunt-Smith, Ser 17:56; 10. T. Yutzenka, Sou 17:56.

Other Valley finishers:

27. G. Jenkins, Col 19:43; 41. B. Meier, Col 20:39; 44. T. Haan, Col 20:49; 47. T. Spaic, Col 21:00; 51. A. Woodings, Pal 21:17; 52. K. Johnson, Pal 21:21; 61. K. Jenkins, Col 21:58; 62. E. Bingham, Pal 22:01; 70. M. Lundin, Pal 22:21; 73. M. Meyerhofer, Col 22:32; 76. D. Ingersoll, Was 22:49; 77. R. Burroughs, Was 22:51; 78. D. Salmon, Pal 22:51; 83. M. Lasselle, Pal 23:19;

Boys team standings:

1. Service 1:29:06.7; 2. West Valley 1:30:46.5; 3. South 1:32:29.9; 4. West 1:33:26.5; 5. East 1:33:31:7; 6. Chugiak 1:35:33.6; 7. Soldotna 1:36:12.2; 8. Kenai 1:38:38.7; 9. Colony 1:38:54.1; 10. Grace 1:39:34.6; 11. Dimond 1:43:14.2; 12. Homer 1:43:35.9; 13. Lathrop 1:43:42.4; 14. Eagle River 1:44:12.3; 15. Valdez 1:46:07.2; 16. Palmer 1:48:41.5; 17. Skyview 1:49:06.2; 18. Seward 1:58:00.5; 19. Bartlett 2:02:44.3; 20. North Pole 2:21:50.8.

Boys individual results (top 10):

1. E. Backstrum, Sou 21:41.5; 2. J. Bassett, Ser 21:41.7; 3. T. O’Harra, East 21:41.8; 4. M. Donaldson, WV 21:41.9; 5. T. Ramey, Sou 21:55; 6. D. McPheters, Chu 22:12; 7. G. Schulz, Ser 22:18; 8. J. Farr, East 22:18; 9. M. Muffoletto, Ser 22:27; 10. J. Volz, West 22:36.

Other Valley finishers:

31. B. Schafer, Col 24:06; 34. D. Sinnett, Col 24:20; 45. L. Kopsack, Col 25:09; 48. T. Sworts, Pal 25:16; 50. A. Nelson, Col 25:17; 51. L. Jaschek, Col 25:18; 59. N. Harrison, Col 26:00; 74. C. Pulver, Was 26:58; 78. J. Lynn, Pal 27:21; 82. D. Banse, Pal 27:34; 93. Z. Marsh, Pal 28:29; 95. D. Dahms, Pal 28:34; 99. C. Hand, Pal 29:04; 103. L. Seims, Was 29:57;