Palmer sophomore leads Valley runners in Bartlett meet

PALMER — A Palmer sophomore used her fourth-place finish help the Moose score the fourth spot in the girls’ team standings of the Bartlett State Preview Meet Saturday at Bartlett High School.

Katey Houser placed fourth with a mark of 19 minutes, 32 seconds. Houser crossed the finish line two seconds ahead of Chugiak senior Brenna Day.

Houser started her season with a win in the varsity girls’ race of the Redington Invitational. Last season Houser earned a Region championship and a sixth-place finish in the state meet.

Houser was part of a pair of Moose runners to finish in the top 20 of the varsity girls race. Junior Sophie Wright used a time of 20:41 to place 17th.

Senior Sofia Spaic led Colony, finishing 20th with a time of 20:56. Abbi Boucher led Wasilla with a time of 21:47.

Palmer finished fourth with 120 total points, 11 ahead of fifth-place Colony.

Palmer junior Noble Gurney led Valley runners in the varsity boys’ race with a time of 17:35 and 25th-place finish. Garrett Streit followed at 26th to lead the Knights. Landon Hayes was the top Wasilla boys runner with a 28th-place finish.