Runners get feet wet

ANCHORAGE -- Those who don't like water were out of luck Saturday as Valley cross-country running teams joined others from around Alaska to kick off the season at the Bartlett Relays.

Not only did a steady rain fall throughout the races, but a special water jump ensured that every competitor came away wet. The pit just beyond a horizontal log barrier is a traditional favorite with spectators as well as a few athletes who court disaster by doing flips into the water.

For the most part, runners from Valley teams negotiated the jump with proper respect. Katie Hall of Houston High, for example, landed squarely in the middle of the tarp-lined pit and made sure of her footing before hustling onto dry land.

Some runners tripped on the plastic lining and went sprawling, especially as the event wore on and the water level became lower, exposing the liner's edges. Runners also must leap over straw bales along the course.

Chugiak High won the team race by 10 seconds over runnerup Service, with scoring determined by composite times of teams that included boys and girls.

Colony posted the best finish by a Valley team with 14th. That was a mild disappointment to coach Mark Doner, who had hoped for a top-10 result by his best crew.

"We had a tougher day than I expected," he said.

With the relay format, and all teams running for more than an hour on the two-mile course, it quickly becomes difficult to tell who's leading. Doner said he'd have to wait until checking each runner's time before judging whether there were any surprises. For athletes, he said, the race is sort of a herky-jerky affair.

"We want to focus on quick turnover and a quick tempo in the woods," Doner said. "The barriers sort of break up your stride."

The Colony coach is counting on his son, Peter, and senior Ross Wise to be the top runners on the boys team. Natalie Beach and Clair Warren will lead the girls, said Doner, adding that Denise Kinsella also is coaching this season.

Palmer High finished 36th, followed by Houston, 53rd; Colony's second team, 62nd; Wasilla, 68th; Susitna Valley High, 73rd; Colony's third team, 80th; and Houston's second team, 87th.

The meet allows more runners than usual to compete because each school may enter several teams. Senior Charles Boyle said it's a chance for younger runners to get some experience.

"It's fun but we take it seriously," Boyle said.

Wasilla coach Joani Welch said she only entered two teams in the relay. The Warriors have 31 runners, but most haven't completed the required 10 practices to become eligible, she said.

Welch said Boyle and sophomore Kasey Thompson, who finished 53rd overall on Saturday, should pace the boys team. Suzanna Caldwell, a sophomore, is counted on to lead the Warrior girls, Welch said.