Wasilla sophomore leads Valley runners at Palmer Invite

PALMER — A standout on the mat, Hunter Hayes spent a chunk of his summer in the wrestling room. He competed and worked in camps in the Lower 48. But the Wasilla High sophomore is also pretty good on the cross-county trails, and Hayes has spent the early portion of the 2017 season making the transition from wrestling shape to running shape.

Saturday, Hayes enjoyed the best race of his running season.

Hayes used a season-best time of 16 minutes, 43 seconds to finished ninth in the Division I boys’ race during the Palmer Invitational at Palmer High School.

“It was good,” Hayes said of his run. “I still don’t think I am where I was at last year.”

Hayes cut more than 20 seconds off his previous best this season, the 17:04 he logged at the Tsalteshi Invitational Aug. 29 in Soldotna. But he’s hoping to return to where he was at as a freshman, when he consistently broke the 17-minute mark. He’s personal record is a 16:32 at the Palmer Invite in 2016. He used a time of 16:43 to place fourth in regions as a freshman. Hayes said part of that is making the transition from wrestling to running.

“Wrestling you build a lot of muscle. You kind of have to run some of it off for cross,” Hayes said. “I’m hoping by regions to get there.”

Hayes led all Valley runners in any of the four varsity races Saturday, and finished just ahead of fellow sophomore, Gavin Block of Colony, in the Division I boys race. Block finished steps behind Hayes in 10th, recording a time of 16:44.

Hayes also helped Wasilla finish fourth in the Division I boys’ team standings. Wasilla finished with 163 points, best among any of the Region III teams in the field.

Kaleb Greathouse was the second Warrior across the line, finishing 34th with a time of 17:33. Isaak Bell (40th, 17:40), McKinley Larson (41st, 17:41) and Taft Steiner (44th, 17:45) also finished in the top 50 for the Warriors.

Colony finished ninth in the Division I boys’ standings. In addition to Block, freshman Lane Meier was 23rd with a tiem of 17:17 and Josh Taylor was 36th at 17:35.

Connor Owens paced Palmer with a 22nd-place finish and time of 17:17. Lev Robertson was 45th for Palmer, with a mark of 17:46.

Palmer led Valley squads with a seventh-place finish in the Division I girls’ standings. The Moose placed four runners in the top 28. Freshman Sophie Wright led Palmer with a time of 20:33, and a 21st-place finish. A trio of sophomores — Sophia Nowers (20:44), Lydia Ortiz (20:51) and Nina Kalytiak (20:58) — finished 26th, 27th and 28th for Palmer.

Colony senior Jill Bowker led Valley runners in the Division I girls’ race with an 18th-place finish, and time of 20:00. The time marked a season-best for Bowker.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Palmer Invitational

Saturday, Palmer High School

Division I boys team scores:

1. West Anchorage 60; 2. West Valley 79; 3. Chugiak 82; 4. Wasilla 163; 5. Juneau-Douglas 178; 6. Lathrop 199; 7. East Anchorage 199; 8. Eagle River 201; 9. Colony 209; 10. South Anchorage 222; 11. Soldotna 237; 12. Palmer 268; 13. Kenai 272; 14. North Pole 427.

Division I girls team scores:

1. West Valley 43; 2. Kenai 65; 3. Chugiak 116; 4. Eagle River 126; 5. West Anchorage 133; 6. South Anchorage 145; 7. Palmer 154; 8. Juneau-Douglas 159; 9. Colony 190; 10. Lathrop 242; 11. Soldotna 277.

Division II boys team scores:

1. Anchorage Christian 31; 2. Grace Christian 43; 3. Bethel 90; 4. Glennallen 142; 5. Monroe 162; 6. Unalaska 162; 7. Galena 207; 8. Hutchison 215; 9. Chevak 242; 11. Cordova 265; 12. Houston 294.

Division II girls team scores:

1. Grace Christian 21; 2. Galena 53; 3. Anchorage Christian 78; 4. Bethel 123; 5. Barrow 129; 6. Delta 133.

Division I boys individual results:

1. Jager, Luke, West Anchora, 16:05.56; 2. Hartke, Max, Chugiak, 16:10.36; 3. Carl, Nick, Eagle River, 16:28.83; 4. Cason, Everett, West Anchora, 16:30.23; 5. Garboden, Gabe, Oregon, 16:30.64; 6. Ellefson-Carnes, Arne, Juneau Dougl, 16:35.73; 7. Dunham, Maison, Kenai Centra, 16:37.84; 8. Bausch, Daniel, West Anchora, 16:38.21; 9. Hayes, Hunter, Wasilla, 16:43.01; 10. Block, Gavin, Colony, 16:44.42; 11. Davis, Ethan, West Anchora, 16:53.68; 12. Bradley, Jacob, Eagle River, 16:54.39; 13. Earnhart, Michael, Chugiak, 16:57.33; 14. Mitchell, Dayan, West Valley, 16:59.16; 15. Endestad, Ari, West Valley, 16:59.94; 16. Van Horn, Joey, West Valley, 17:00.66; 17. Ozturgut, Zephan, East Anchora, 17:03.67; 18. Winford, Jack, West Valley, 17:05.60; 19. Mcmullen, Zanden, South Anchor, 17:08.72; 20. Dennis, Miles, Chugiak, 17:09.97; 21. Herron, Camron, West Valley, 17:12.38; 22. Owens, Connor, Palmer, 17:17.12; 23. Meier, Lane, Colony, 17:17.58; 24. Schuerch, Alex, East Anchora, 17:18.68; 25. Beiergrohslein, Max, Chugiak, 17:19.14; 26. Nelson, Hyrum, Chugiak, 17:19.71; 27. Hendrickson, Isaac, Lathrop, 17:20.53; 28. Chilton, Lance, Soldotna, 17:21.45; 29. Taylor-Roth, Clem, Juneau Dougl, 17:27.65; 30. Stitz, Shadrach, Juneau Dougl, 17:27.96; 31. Baez-Terry, Liam, Chugiak, 17:28.41; 32. Reynolds, Baird, Lathrop, 17:28.68; 33. Sanches, Nathan, Lathrop, 17:29.63; 34. Greathouse, Kaleb, Wasilla, 17:33.04; 35. Olson, Alex, West Valley, 17:34.94; 36. Taylor, Josh, Colony, 17:35.48; 37. Walters, Bradley, Soldotna, 17:38.56; 38. Lestina, Jacob, Chugiak, 17:40.04; 39. Reed, Sebastian, West Anchora, 17:40.29; 40. Bell, Isaak, Wasilla, 17:40.94; 41. Larson, McKinley, Wasilla, 17:41.35; 42. Miller, Jaylon, East Anchora, 17:41.70; 43. Mckenzie, Eli, West Anchora, 17:43.40; 44. Steiner, Taft, Wasilla, 17:45.03; 45. Robertson, Lev, Palmer, 17:46.19; 46. Chamberlain, Seth, South Anchor, 17:46.66; 47. Danielson, Karl, Kenai Centra, 17:47.13; 48. Gladwill, Carter, Eagle River, 17:49.17; 49. Verg-in, Sean, Soldotna, 17:52.56; 50. Earnest, Nolan, West Valley, 17:55.43; 51. Putnam, Spencer, South Anchor, 17:56.67; 52. Seaver, Eli, West Anchora, 17:57.35; 53. Ebel, David, Lathrop, 18:01.25; 54. Keffalos, Simon, South Anchor, 18:04.20; 55. McKenna, Tim, Juneau Dougl, 18:08.16; 56. Haywood, Beck, East Anchora, 18:09.78; 57. Michaelson, Ben, South Anchor, 18:12.03; 58. Metcalf, Bechler, Soldotna, 18:15.88; 59. Wappett, Chandler, Lathrop, 18:16.15; 60. Meyers, Kai, South Anchor, 18:20.65; 61. Maclean, Amiqaq, Palmer, 18:21.13; 62. Burrell, Jonathan, Lathrop, 18:32.61; 63. Morley, Finn, Juneau Dougl, 18:35.97; 64. Stockton, Evan, Kenai Centra, 18:42.11; 65. Howe, Luke, East Anchora, 18:42.71; 66. Carl, Alex, Eagle River, 18:43.11; 67. Curry, Joseph, East Anchora, 18:43.53; 68. Fraker, Wesley, Wasilla, 18:43.98; 69. Efta, Dominik, Kenai Centra, 18:47.98; 70. Pothast, John-Mark, Soldotna, 18:51.46; 71. Miller, Levi, Palmer, 18:51.88; 72. Streit, Garrett, Colony, 18:55.90; 73. Ferland, Alexandre, Colony, 19:02.34; 74. Villanueva, Josh, Palmer, 19:02.74; 75. Harris, Jack, Soldotna, 19:10.17; 76. Cullings, Gavin, Eagle River, 19:10.83; 77. Logsdon, Alexander, Wasilla, 19:11.94; 78. Scott, Jeremiah, North Pole, 19:18.10; 79. Ensign, Camden, Eagle River, 19:18.63; 80. Copp, Ethan, Palmer, 19:21.87; 81. Robertson, Cameron, North Pole, 19:28.62; 82. McNab, Andrew, East Anchora, 19:37.76; 83. Kegley, Camden, Lathrop, 19:38.52; 84. Wojtacha, Jacob, Colony, 19:42.02; 85. Hartman, Hayden, Palmer, 19:45.90; 86. Wade, Jake, North Pole, 19:48.09; 87. Blust, Aaron, Juneau Dougl, 19:50.39; 88. Herr, Jacob, Eagle River, 19:50.81; 89. Ramirez, Simeon, Colony, 19:51.09; 90. Mueller, Tucker, Kenai Centra, 19:51.36; 91. Hopson, Aiden, Juneau Dougl, 19:59.78; 92. Strende, Preben, Kenai Centra, 20:04.62; 93. Williams, Matthew, North Pole, 20:31.34; 94. Bradshaw, Casey, North Pole, 21:27.64; 95. Davison, Martin, North Pole, 22:02.01.

Division II boys individual results:

1. Moos, Jacob, Galena, 15:44.98; 2. Bennett, Blake, Anchorage Ch, 15:56.50; 3. Merchant, Tristian, Anchorage Ch, 16:39.72; 4. Martin, Gabe, Grace Christ, 16:50.14; 5. Fritzel, Luke, Grace Christ, 17:03.05; 6. Parks, William, Anchorage Ch, 17:21.66; 7. Davis, Callen, Tanalian, 17:22.78; 8. Hunter, Mathew, Bethel, 17:29.30; 9. Jones, Erik, Grace Christ, 17:31.14; 10. Smith, Kaleb, Anchorage Ch, 17:37.02; 11. Nicholson, Landon, Monroe Catho, 17:41.73; 12. Davis, Joshua, Anchorage Ch, 17:52.29; 13. Coverdell, Vincent, Grace Christ, 18:02.83; 14. Gerlach, Caden, Glennallen, 18:04.14; 15. Kopp, Paul, Grace Christ, 18:04.53; 16. Dull, Cole, Dillingham, 18:04.88; 17. Gerlach, Kael, Glennallen, 18:09.76; 18. Henning, Blaine, Unalaska, 18:10.07; 19. Kokrine, David, Effie Kokrin, 18:14.00; 20. Alexie-Leonard, Nels, Bethel, 18:15.19; 21. Leach, Kevin, Grace Christ, 18:16.96; 22. Geerdts, Diesel, Bethel, 18:19.82; 23. Karlberg, Tobin, Grace Christ, 18:24.03; 24. Simmonds, Henry, Unalaska, 18:28.41; 25. Voran, Colson, Tanalian, 18:28.84; 26. Dorsey, Sean, Glennallen, 18:35.42; 27. Crace, Hunter, Bethel, 18:39.07; 28. Daniel, Ray, Bethel, 18:39.52; 29. Crow, Jamin, Bethel, 18:41.26; 30. Kesey, Kormac, Hutchison, 18:41.80; 31. Desoto-Finn, Hunter, Anchorage Ch, 18:47.01; 32. Silas, Gabriel, Monroe Catho, 18:49.30; 33. Atcherian, Edward, Chevak, 18:51.69; 34. Davis, Taylor, Tanalian, 18:52.12; 35. Poe, Lawrence, Bethel, 18:52.85; 36. Robinson, Tobias, Anchorage Ch, 18:53.75; 37. Edgerley, Jacob, Hutchison, 19:08.50; 38. Boyscout, Joshua, Chevak, 19:09.25; 39. Hopson, Michael, Barrow, 19:10.48; 40. Capp, Mathias, Hutchison, 19:12.23; 41. Tukrook, Ethan, Kali, 19:15.09; 42. McGee, Trevor, Tanalian, 19:19.25; 43. Guim, Lain, Houston, 19:19.97; 44. Walsh, Nathaniel, Monroe Catho, 19:20.78; 45. Lane, Austin, Kali, 19:24.24; 46. Shaishnikoff, Talon, Unalaska, 19:26.18; 47. Bancroft, Aengus, Glennallen, 19:37.24; 48. Frohnapfel, Gage, Cordova, 19:37.97; 49. Kopp, Daniel, Galena, 19:40.38; 50. Bast, Tommy, Monroe Catho, 19:42.76; 51. McCollum, Aaron, Nikiski, 19:44.36; 52. McCollum, Bryan, Nikiski, 19:44.75; 53. Garcia, Chris, Unalaska, 19:45.20; 54. Tan, Bruce, Unalaska, 19:45.63; 55. Clarkson, Austin, Monroe Catho, 19:52.12; 56. Yourkoski, Joseph, Nikiski, 19:56.43; 57. Mongoyak, Isiah, Barrow, 20:04.23; 58. Weyiouanna, Esau, Barrow, 20:09.13; 59. Riddle, John, Galena, 20:10.62; 60. Angaiak, Kip, Monroe Catho, 20:11.33; 61. Warren, Thomas, Delta Juncti, 20:16.19; 62. Nelson, Mikal, Barrow, 20:23.70; 63. Bradford, Rustyn, Cordova, 20:28.22; 64. Wray, Ben, Cordova, 20:28.79; 65. Dorsey, Jonathan, Glennallen, 20:29.80; 66. Moses, Ajey, Chevak, 20:41.93; 67. Huntington, Paul, Galena, 20:42.44; 68. Wallis, Gavin, Nikiski, 20:44.66; 69. Ekak, Monique, Nunamiut, 20:48.64; 70. Usugan, Seth, Chevak, 20:51.05; 71. Waln, Seth, Hutchison, 20:51.87; 72. Brotzman, Macrae, Houston, 20:54.35; 73. Fry, Abigail, Nunamiut, 20:56.22; 74. Deaton, William, Cordova, 21:18.05; 75. Thompson, Stephan, Barrow, 21:21.07; 76. Kowunna, Henry, Tikigaq, 21:30.88; 77. O'Quinn, Shane, Houston, 21:58.81; 78. Sam, Virgil, Galena, 22:02.35; 79. Beckett, Ethan, Cordova, 22:09.47; 80. St. Amand, Keegan, Glennallen, 22:14.81; 81. Greene, Alexander, Hutchison, 22:24.41; 82. Wightman, Koby, Galena, 23:24.91; 83. Tilden, Zach, Dillingham, 23:52.75; 84. Hernandez, Eoghan, Cordova, 23:56.90; 85. Wilkinson, Nicholas, Houston, 24:13.68; 86. Kriska, Tavin, Hutchison, 24:14.13; 87. Smith, Alec, Effie Kokrin, 25:29.35; 88. Matchian, Cedric, Chevak, 25:43.07; 89. Smoldon, Josh, Houston, 26:32.36; 90. Nouchi, Aaron, Delta Juncti, 32:45.30.

Division I girls individual results:

1. Tuckwood, Sadie, Juneau Dougl, 18:09.95; 2. Kramer, Kendall, West Valley, 18:10.27; 3. Earl, Ava, South Anchor, 18:51.95; 4. Walsh, Emily, Eagle River, 19:15.98; 5. Gibson, Addison, Kenai Centra, 19:21.20; 6. Boonstra, Riana, Kenai Centra, 19:21.73; 7. LeClair, Aubrey, West Anchora, 19:22.69; 8. Widman, Faith, West Valley, 19:26.53; 9. Proffitt, Adrianna, Chugiak, 19:37.19; 10. Roe, Bailey, West Valley, 19:43.43; 11. Axelsson, Emma, West Valley, 19:44.33; 12. Starks, Sam, West Valley, 19:45.09; 13. Meeds, Maggie, South Anchor, 19:49.08; 14. Calvert, Jaycie, Kenai Centra, 19:50.11; 15. Marks, Grace, West Valley, 19:51.16; 16. Iverson, Anna, Juneau Dougl, 19:53.24; 17. Satathite, Brooke, Kenai Centra, 19:59.84; 18. Bowker, Jill, Colony, 20:00.36; 19. Gould, Brooklynn, Chugiak, 20:26.20; 20. Nelson, Claire, Eagle River, 20:31.86; 21. Wright, Sophie, Palmer, 20:33.03; 22. Porter, Rahab, Lathrop, 20:37.51; 23. Bergholtz, Ithaca, Kenai Centra, 20:39.39; 24. Donley, Quincey, West Anchora, 20:41.65; 25. Day, Breanna, Chugiak, 20:43.83; 26. Nowers, Sophia, Palmer, 20:44.34; 27. Ortiz, Lydia, Palmer, 20:51.56; 28. Kalytiak, Nina, Palmer, 20:58.45; 29. Sherman, Kiara, Eagle River, 20:59.57; 30. Dorris, Ryann, West Anchora, 21:01.52; 31. Manwaring, KayLee, Chugiak, 21:02.12; 32. Gerlach, Lindsey, Chugiak, 21:02.43; 33. Holst, Jasmin, Juneau Dougl, 21:16.45; 34. Congilio, Morgan, West Anchora, 21:17.90; 35. Reynolds, Roxanna, South Anchor, 21:18.41; 36. Goodwin, Mary, Eagle River, 21:18.94; 37. Walsh, Ashley, Eagle River, 21:20.52; 38. Slatonbarker, Lily, West Anchora, 21:25.71; 39. Spaic, Sofija, Colony, 21:28.75; 40. Bell, Nicole, Colony, 21:37.56; 41. Hanneman, Clare, Lathrop, 21:38.36; 42. Novelli, Jazlynn, Colony, 21:42.02; 43. Eski, Ivy, West Anchora, 21:43.66; 44. Cole, Samantha, Chugiak, 21:44.83; 45. Young, Lucy, South Anchor, 21:47.22; 46. Arthur, Kellie, Soldotna, 21:50.25; 47. Arthur, Erika, Soldotna, 21:57.98; 48. Blackwell, Cameron, Soldotna, 22:02.63; 49. Western, Lindsey, South Anchor, 22:03.23; 50. Brabson, Skye, Eagle River, 22:04.94; 51. Smith, Claire, Colony, 22:11.73; 52. Copp, Zoe, Palmer, 22:12.66; 53. Stitz, Miriam, Juneau Dougl, 22:15.99; 54. Drury, Sarah, Kenai Centra, 22:16.63; 55. Deering, Kylee, Colony, 22:17.08; 56. Monsef, Sosan, Juneau Dougl, 22:33.16; 57. Brabson, Tamara, Eagle River, 22:35.04; 58. Bailey, Margeaux, East Anchora, 22:37.26; 59. Sonnek, Carmen, Lathrop, 22:41.40; 60. Mayer, Amanda, Colony, 22:54.16; 61. Wiseman, River, Lathrop, 22:54.90; 62. Bross, Tjarn, Lathrop, 22:56.35; 63. McKenna, Katie, Juneau Dougl, 22:59.27; 64. Doyle, Dareena, Kenai Centra, 23:07.14; 65. Ulrich, Emma, South Anchor, 23:12.54; 66. Zweifel, Braydee, Lathrop, 23:21.01; 67. Johannes, Kelsey, West Anchora, 23:29.78; 68. Vasquez, Carissa, Wasilla, 23:34.37; 69. Lorring, Tanis, Soldotna, 24:05.46; 70. Poe, Gwenneth, Lathrop, 24:30.61; 71. Green, Anna, North Pole, 24:41.23; 72. Martin, Sonora, Soldotna, 24:43.71; 73. Thomas, Sophie, Soldotna, 24:51.28; 74. Dammeyer, Isabella, Soldotna, 25:36.59; 75. Hickman, Cindy, North Pole, 27:17.51.

Division II girls individual results:

1. O'Hara, Tessa, Anchorage Ch, 19:39.63; 2. Jackson, Mazzy, Grace Christ, 20:41.34; 3. Demientieff, Charlee, Grace Christ, 20:55.56; 4. Ellis, Laura, Grace Christ, 20:57.33; 5. Annett, Grace, Grace Christ, 21:09.84; 6. Merriner, Carlee, Galena, 21:15.01; 7. White, Lauren, Monroe Catho, 21:17.02; 8. Trigler, Taryn, Ben Eielson, 21:20.37; 9. Jacobsen, Gloria, Glennallen, 21:43.76; 10. McLaughlin, Anna, Grace Christ, 21:48.93; 11. Hatter, Amy, Grace Christ, 21:49.23; 12. Widener, Kiah, Grace Christ, 21:49.45; 13. Green, Pearle, Galena, 22:26.85; 14. Voran, Malea, Tanalian, 22:28.09; 15. Witsoe, Anika, Cordova, 22:32.95; 16. Grahek, Maura, Monroe Catho, 22:35.42; 17. Condello, Vivian, Galena, 22:36.94; 18. Green, Elizabeth, Galena, 22:44.13; 19. Parks, Mary Kate, Anchorage Ch, 22:48.70; 20. Wilson, Hailey, Unalaska, 22:49.22; 21. Kriska, Celeste, Galena, 23:05.24; 22. Hodges, Grace, Monroe Catho, 23:11.29; 23. Beans-Polk, Lindsey, Bethel, 23:24.19; 24. Wolgemuth, Sara, Barrow, 23:25.02; 25. Fry, Claire, Nunamiut, 23:41.79; 26. Bavilla, Alasandra, Dillingham, 23:43.44; 27. Korta, Kiana, Galena, 23:45.48; 28. Ruse, Abigail, Delta Juncti, 24:02.91; 29. Nalam, Bridget, Unalaska, 24:04.84; 30. Fuller, Ashley, Anchorage Ch, 24:11.00; 31. Tedrick, Emily, Anchorage Ch, 24:20.29; 32. Marchuk, Roxanne, Delta Juncti, 24:33.40; 33. Gray, Sydney, Bethel, 24:49.77; 34. Bankston, Alexia, Barrow, 25:01.09; 35. Krause, Jean, Dillingham, 25:09.11; 36. Boyscout, Charity, Chevak, 25:09.64; 37. Ahmaogak, Jenysa, Alak, 25:12.33; 38. Charlie, Dellarae, Bethel, 25:13.16; 39. Ivanov, Irina, Voznesenka, 25:15.01; 40. Morry, Josh, Nunamiut, 25:16.19; 41. Hofacker, Makenzie, Anchorage Ch, 25:16.74; 42. Klein, Alyssa, Delta Juncti, 25:18.39; 43. Wood, Carlisa, Anchorage Ch, 25:25.66; 44. Dema, Fiola, Bethel, 25:36.14; 45. Berikoff, Julieanne, Unalaska, 25:43.21; 46. Nelson, Kaylie, Barrow, 25:47.31; 47. Solomon, Rachel, Barrow, 26:01.11; 48. Mongoyak brower, Lewanne, Barrow, 26:22.41; 49. Mongoyak-Brower, Chloe, Barrow, 26:23.37; 50. Nay, Chase, Nunamiut, 26:43.30; 51. Titano, Amanda, Cordova, 26:43.99; 52. Harris, Keely, Delta Juncti, 26:54.38; 53. Johnson, Katelyn, Tanalian, 26:55.05; 54. Caudillo, Mercedez, Unalaska, 27:52.27; 55. Stanley, Julian, Bethel, 28:37.15; 56. Dayton, Jasmine, Effie Kokrin, 29:03.57; 57. Taylor, Zya, Cordova, 29:11.48; 58. Adams, Morgan, Monroe Catho, 29:12.57; 59. Hicks, Elin, Delta Juncti, 30:13.03; 60. Webb, Megan, Delta Juncti, 33:15.64; 61. Carroll, Olivia, Cordova, 37:00.75.