September 2, 2023
Courtesy of VHS Cross Country Coach
The Bucs Cross-Country team headed to our northern neighbors, Glennallen. Here the team faced off against Glennallen, Fort Yuko, Wasilla, and Redington. The course was a challenging, yet fun two laps on a slippery single track trail through the woods sprinkled with roots.
Thirty-two girls were first to race in the overcast, showery weather. Junior Morgan Hamilton represented the Bucs while Jewely Weber was out of town. Hamilton used the downhills to help propel her up the short steep hills. She remained in the middle of the pack a majority of the race, holding her own in 19th place and finished strong at 29:22.
The sun emerged in time for the thirty-one boys to take on the hills and roots. Senior Rafe Caruthers stayed in the front pack of three for the first lap and then overtook Wasilla’s Blaze Rubeo before entering the single track trail to ensure his first place finish at 17:54. Sophomore James Humphrey secured a spot in the middle and held his position throughout the race, finishing in 19th place at 21:54. Joining us for his first race was Freshman Robert Taylor. Taylor ran an unofficial race to help him qualify for Palmer next weekend. Taylor finished at 27:10 and is fired up for the next one. Humphrey and Caruthers joined the middle schoolers in their 2.5k race, with Hamilton encouraging walkers on the last hill by running with them.
Next week, the Bucs cross-country team is excited for the George Plumey Invite in Palmer. This is the state’s largest meet of the season with hundreds of runners from teams all over the state.
Current Region 6 Division II Standings are:
2nd Rafe Caruthers
12th Roman Weber
19th James Humphrey
12th Jewely Weber
13th Morgan Hamilton
Go Bucs
