Region VI Championship
Birch Hill Recreation
September 28, 2024
Courtesy of VHS Cross-Country Coach
The Bucs Cross-Country headed back to Birch Hill Recreation Area in Fairbanks for the Region VI Championships. The course consisted of 3 big loops that passed through the stadium area three times. The terrain had long hills and flats with grassy and muddy surfaces.
Our day of racing began with JV Boys. Sophomore Robert Taylor was missing his counterpart, Freshman Zach Berkeley, who stayed behind sick. Taylor shot forward at the sound of the gun and maintained a steady pace of about 6:46/mile. Taylor maintained his 5th place standing, out of 48 runners, the entirety of the race, finishing at 21:09, almost a minute faster than his previous personal record. He also took first for Division II JV Boys!
The much anticipated Varsity Boys were next. This powerhouse of a team started the season fast on the flatter courses, slowing on the usual hilly courses. It has been 5 years since Valdez has had enough boys to make up a team, so we were hyped to place as a team. The season found us with one first place award and we were itching for another. As the gun went off, a sea of blue raced down the first hill. All Varsity boys stayed within 2 minutes of each other. Junior Reggie Baksis began in 2nd place, gradually slowing to 5th when teammate Junior James Humphrey overtook him near the finish line. Humphrey and Baksis placed 4th and 5th finishing at 18:40 and 18:46. Starting in 8th place, Freshman Kaden VanBuskirk slid into 7th place with a finish of 19:27, followed closely by Freshman Logan Beck who also moved from 9th to 8th place and finished at 19:30. Fighting a cold while maintaining a pace of 6:26/mile, Freshman Cirque Carter slid up to 10th place at 19:59, passing teammate Senior Dalen Beck who finished 11th at 20:07. Keeping a steady pace and staying in 13th place the entire race was Senior Romen Weber. This dynamic group of young runners eeked out 3 less points than Monroe to take the First Place Team Award. Nice work boys!
Lastly, the Varsity girls ran alongside DI Varsity girls. This anticipated nailbiter of a race brought butterflies to everyone as a last minute athlete was registered, upsetting secured spots for state. Sophomore Jewely Weber maintained a 13th place the entirety of the race and squeaked out a new personal record by two seconds to finish at 25:45. Senior Morgan Hamilton stayed strong in 15th place for the first half of the race. The increased sun and warmth slowed her to 16th place and she slowly lost sight of a 15th place finish and a spot at state. Hamilton finished strong at 27:49, a season record.
The top 15 varsity runners head to state. We have 8 out of 11 runners competing in the state races next week. Bartlett will be hosting the Cross-Country State Championships yet again. This has been the most dynamic group of athletes! They show up to practice everyday ready to work hard whether it’s running hills, or the dreaded 300/200 float. They cheer each other on and make each trip entertaining. Cheer on your runners when you see them. Go Bucs!
