Valley runners race into 2015 prep cross-country running season

WASILLA — Valley cross-country runners got a taste of what may be in store in the new season during the Colony Invitational Aug. 15 at Colony High. But most on the trail believe everyone will have a better idea what the Alaska cross-country circuit looks like after the Tsalteshi Invitational in Soldotna this weekend.

“Everybody looks forward to Soldotna,” Colony head coach Rhonda Knopp said after the Colony Invite Saturday. “It’s about the only time we get to see everybody.”

Knopp’s girls squad had a strong showing at the Colony Invite, besting Region III rival Soldotna to win the girls team title. The Knights, who edged Soldotna in the region standings last fall, are the reigning Region III champs, and return the bulk of the talent from the 2014 squad. Colony placed four of its runners in the top 8 Saturday, and five in the top 13.

“I was really pleased with them,” Knopp said of her girls’ team in the Colony Invite. “This happens to be one of those years when we have a strong female presence.”

Colony placed four runners in the top 14 of the region meet last season, and all four return. Sophomore Jill Bowker led the Knights last year with a third-place finish in regions and a fifth-place finish at state. Junior Alex Mathis was fourth in regions as a sophomore, and juniors Cathelyne Powers and Elisabeth Bowker finished 13th and 14th respectively as sophomores at regions.

Knopp also noted senior Lisbeth Olsen, a newcomer to the varsity squad, who placed 10th at the Colony Invite Saturday.

On the boys’ side, Dakota Peterson-Thompson powered his way to a second-place finish at the Colony Invite to lead the Colony boys.

“He had a really good first race,” Knopp said of Peterson-Thompson. “I’m happy. He’s happy. It really sets the stage for potential for the rest of the season.”

Knopp expects Peterson-Thompson to be among the leaders on the boys squad. The Knights were not able to field a full squad for the Colony Invite, but Knopp said juniors Tracen Knopp and Dawson Knopp will be ready for the Tstalteshi Invite. Tracen finished 11th in regions last year and Dawson was 21st.

While Colony boasts its depth on the girls’ side, it’s the opposite at Wasilla High. Warriors head coach Leslie Varys said she has about 50 athletes on the roster, with about 35 on the boys’ team. Varys said she’s excited about the overall number of athletes wearing Wasilla red.

“I was kind of worried about our numbers at the beginning, but after last week we doubled in size,” Varys said.

The Wasilla boys team includes senior Quincy Fuller, who placed sixth in regions last year. The Warriors also have senior Karl Greathouse, who was 11th in the Colony Invite Saturday. Varys noted sophomore Izaak Bell, who finished with a time in the Colony Invite nearly a minute better than the mark he posted at the region meet last year. Bell finished ninth in the Colony Invite with a time of 17:49. Bell was 24th in regions as a freshman.

“We’re really excited about him. He’s shown a lot of progress,” Varys said of Bell. “He’s always been kind of a mature individual, and he’s showing that with his running.”

Varys also noted freshman McKinley Larson.

Overall, Varys said Wasilla is excited about the potential of the boys team.

“They really want to make some noise,” Varys said. “It’s really exciting as a coach.”

Varys said there is also great competition in the junior varsity group, with a list of runners eager to work up to the varsity level.

“Our seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12 runners are all very close together. They all have their eyes on varsity,” Varys said.

Among the leaders on the girls side are junior Riley McLellan and sophomore Jordan Burroughs, who finished less than a second apart during the Colony Invite. Varys said the Wasilla girls team is attracting athletes from other school squads, such as girls basketball, which will help with the depth of the program.

The Palmer Moose sport a small squad this year, but feature on of the top runners in the Region III girls class. Junior Ruby Woodings returns to lead the Moose. Woodings, who placed seventh at regions and 12th at state last year, finished sixth at the Colony Invite Saturday. Woodings clocked a time of 20 minutes, 19 seconds. Palmer head coach John Bishop said Rya Berrigan is Palmer’s No. 2 runner.

Bishop said senior Ryan Kavalok returns to lead the Palmer boys. Kavalok placed 17th in regions last year. Bishop also noted freshman Leif Mumma, who was 13th at the Colony Invite.

Overall, Bishop said program numbers are down. The Moose graduated a dozen runners from last year’s team, and have about 15 on the current roster.

The Houston Hawks include a freshman who posted a top-10 finish in the Colony Invite varsity girls race. Alison Van Pelt was ninth with a mark of 21:31. The Houston boys 2015 squad includes runners such as Jens Knutson, Isaac Smolden and Terry Jackson.

Redington Jr./Sr. High boasts the Valley’s newest cross-country running squad. The school, which opened its doors officially for the first time on Monday, features about five runners. Former Colony High ski coach Susan Skvorc is coaching the Huskies this season.

The 2015 prep cross-country running calendar features the Tsalteshi Invite Satuday in Soldotna, the Homer Invitational Aug. 29, Bartlett Invitational Aug. 29 and the Palmer Invitational Sept. 5.