From left, Mickey Wilson, Amanda Jensen, Kaylie O'Daniel, and Quinn Weber run to top 10 finishes at the region meet in Ketchikan. Klas Stolpe
Wilson powers to region title, girls team falters in Ketchikan
By JEFF BRADY
Despite being sick, Mickey Wilson of Skagway had enough in the tank to capture first place in the 1A-2A-3A Region V Cross Country meet in Ketchikan on Sept. 27, and Quinn Weber was not far behind in third place.
Wilson’s winning time was 17:20, eight seconds faster than runner-up Nico Freidman of Sitka.
But the regional meet was a disappointment for the Skagway girls team, which was favored to win the team title after strong performances at other meets this season. However, only two Skagway runners cracked the top 10, and the team fell behind Sitka and Haines in the points standing and did not earn a trip to state.
“It was their only bad race in two years and it unfortunately came at the wrong time,” said coach Kent Fielding. “They are one of the top four teams in the state but they didn’t have it on Saturday.”
Amanda Jensen finished third in the race, just a second behind Brandi Hale of Mt. Edgecumbe at 21:09. Kaylie O’Daniel was ninth with a time of 22:46 to earn her a trip to the state meet.
Skagway also just missed runner-up in the boys race. Quinn Weber was just two seconds behind Freidman with a time of 17:30.
“Quinn ran a great race and led the first 2.5 miles,” Fielding said. “He almost came back for second place. Mickey ran a smart race, and despite being sick, he ran to win.”
At the state meet, Skagway landed a top 10 finish in each race. Both Wilson and Jensen finished ninth in the state.
Wilson’s time in the boys race was 17:22.5 and Jensen’s time in the girls race was 20:56.8.
Weber was 29th in his race with a time of 18:09.4, and O’Daniel was 36th in her race with a time of 22:29.3.
Here are other Skagway places and times from the region meet:
Girls – 13. Rori Leaverton, 23:02; 18. Paige Hahn, 23:25; 26. Emily Herbig, 24:08; 45. Kayla Henricksen, 30:10.
Boys – 30. Logan Weber, 19:45; 44. Ian Klupar, 21:17; 45. Danny Moore, 21:27; 47. Tylor Forester, 21:43