Old face leads new Moose

Aug. 14, 2007

By MATT TUNSETH/Frontiersman

WASILLA - Good news for the Palmer High cross country team is bad news for every Alaska boys runner hoping to make a bid at the state's top spot later this fall.

That's because after a one-year hiatus in North Dakota, Palmer standout Jake Parisien is back for his senior season.

Parisien, who two years ago finished second in state as a sophomore, ran last year for Bellcourt, N.D., and finished third in the North Dakota state meet. Back in Palmer and training for the upcoming season, Parisien said last week that this year he's got the top spot on the podium in his sights.

&#8220I'm hoping to win it,” Parisien said after breezing to victory in the annual Running with the Bulls race at the Palmer Musk Ox farm.

First-year Palmer coach Tim Lundt said that getting Parisien back was a big boost for the squad.

&#8220It's tremendous,” Lundt said Monday.

While the Moose will count on Parisien for low scores throughout the season, Lundt said the Moose boys have a couple other runners who could have strong seasons. Lundt said Kevin Smith and Finnish transfer Lauri Husa should also compete, along with a large, solid group of runners who'll compete for the final varsity spots.

&#8220I have a bunch of kids that are all going to be fighting for spots four through seven,” Lundt said.

Lundt, who coached Palmer's swimming team last year and once coached Nenana to a state cross country title, said he has high hopes for this year's boys squad.

&#8220I think people are going to be surprised how good we are,” Lundt said.

On the girls side, Lundt said he doesn't have a potential state titlist, but he does have Jacquie Lutz, who qualified for state last season and will lead a group of young, talented runners that also includes her younger sister, Lizzie.

In fact, Lundt said he's got a group of nine girls that are competing for spots on the Moose roster.

&#8220I think the girls should be pretty decent,” he said.

The official high school cross country season doesn't begin until this weekend, when Valley teams will travel to the Bartlett Relays. However, racing fans can get a sneak peak at some of the local talent tonight during a Twilight Race at Colony High School. The event, which will feature both boys and girls races - as well as a community fun run - will begin at 7 p.m. and will cover the first lap of the trail that will be used later this season for the Region meet.

There's no charge for the interested runners to participate in the event, which will also include a pot luck barbecue immediately following the community race.

Lundt said the short race should give him a good indication as to which runners he'll be using on varsity for the regular season.

&#8220We won't know until we start running Tuesday night,” he said.

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@

frontiersman.com