Rams win own invite

TALKEETNA -- Prior to the prep cross-country running season, Susitna Valley head coach Jane Buskirk knew that she would have great depth on her girls' squad.

Her team is proving her right.

Ram runners claimed five of the top eight spots of the Susitna Valley Invitational and Su Valley ran away with the girls team title of their own event last weekend.

Taz Mannix won the girls' race in 19 minutes and 28 seconds, beating Valdez's Liz Embick, who placed second.

Jen Thompson (fourth), Melissa Ostermick (fifth), Krystal Moore (seventh) and Kayti Krepel (eighth) also finished in the top 10 for the Rams.

The Rams have been running in a pack this season-- in a pack at the top of the standings. Each member of the Rams top-five, Mannix, Ostermick, Moore, Thompson and Krepel, have finished in the top 20 of every race Su Valley has participated in this season.

"The nice thing is they are not all in the same order," Buskirk said. "Anyone of the girls is strong enough to win."

Saturday was Mannix's race. Ten days ago, Ostermick won the Mat-Su Borough Championship.

Houston finished third in the girls' team standings with 80 points, led by a 14th place finish by Mariah Smyth.

Hawk girls Ashley Buckwalter and Kortnie Westphall also finished in the top-20.

Wasilla finished fifth in the event and were led by a 23rd place finish by Charissa

Viertel.

Valdez won the boys event.

The Wasilla boys finished fifth.

Wasilla's Kasey Thompson (second) and Chris Odom (ninth) each finished in the top 10.

Su Valley placed sixth and Houston finished seventh in the team standings.

Boone Howard (seventh) was the top Ram boy.

Su Valley Invitational

Girls

Team scores — Su Valley 25, Grace Christian 39, Houston 80, Valdez 104, Wasilla 134.

Top 25 individuals (5 kilometers) — 1) Taz Mannix, Su, 19:28; 2) Liz Embick, V, 20:03; 3) Sarah Martinez, G, 20:15; 4) Jen Thompson, Su, 20:51; 5) Melissa Ostermick, Su, 20:52; 6) Ondrea Barker, G, 20:56; 7) Krystal Moore, Su, 20:59; 8) Kayti Krepel, Su, 21:08; 9) Katrina Davis, G, 21:40; 10) Rebekah Edwards, G, 21:44; 11) Letitia Talerico, Tri Valley, 21:45; 12) Ashleigh Savage, G, 22:01; 13) Rachel Lucia, G, 22:16; 14) Mariah Smyth, H, 22:20; 15) Moriah Sutherland, Heritage Christian, 22:20; 16) Ashley Buckwalter, H, 22:32; 17) Alycia Vankirk, H, 22:34; 18) Kortnie Westfall, H, 22:40; 19) Elisa Thomas, G, 22:42; 20) Madi Lewis, Anchorage Christian, 22:43; 21) Holly DeLand, G, 22:50; 22) Deseree Besgrove, Su, 23:00; 23) Charissa Viertel, W, 23:16; 24) Sara Wood, Cook Inlet Academy, 23:26; 25) Tanna Alsworth, Cook Inlet Academy, 23:32.

Boys

Team scores — Valdez 35, Anchorage Christian 64, Grace Christian 105, Cook Inlet Academy 105, Wasilla 108, Su Valley 136, Houston 196.

Top 25 individuals (5 kilometers) — 1) David Tamura, V, 16:46; 2) Kasey Thompson, W, 17:04; 3) Auston Ellis, V, 17:07; 4) Brian Beeson, CIA, 17:09; 5) Thomas Minelgan, CIA, 17:25; 6) Jonathan Moyer, ACS, 17:29; 7) Howard Boone, Su, 17:33; 8) Ian Stewart, V, 17:39; 9) Chris Odom, W, 17:42; 10) Judah Allen, ACS, 17:42; 11) E. Losnegard, V, 17:45; 12) Adam Kuchin, V, 17:46; 13) Skylar Graika, V, 17:47; 14) Carlos Arias, ACS, 17:51; 15) Steven Booher, G, 17:52; 16) Gabe Miessner, Heritage, 17:53; 17) Gerardo Arias, ACS, 17:57; 18) Paul Horstkoetter, G, 17:58; 19) Grant McGregor, ACS, 17:59; 20) Jacob Masog, ACS, 18:06; 21) Jessse Moe, ACS, 18:07; 22) Zach Shelley, ACS, 18:07; 23) Nico Ambrose, Su, 18:12; 24) Casey Graika, V, 18:12; 25) Joseph Gugel, G, 1