Surprise wins at Palmer Invitational

By Ron Wilmot

Published: September 7th, 2008 12:26 AM
Last Modified: September 7th, 2008 03:37 AM

PALMER -- Of the four winners who emerged Saturday at the Palmer Invitational, three didn't expect their success. Service's Esther Kennedy? She hoped for third place, tops, in the girls Class 4A race. Cook Inlet Academy's Josh Holly? He was thinking third place too. And Kenny Lake's Kailey Wilson? Well, she really had no idea what to expect. As a freshman, and the only member of her team, Wilson was just looking for some competition. She found it, lots of it, Saturday when 1,200 runners from 45 schools swarmed the Michael Janecek Running Trail for the state's longest- running cross-country meet.

The state meet will also be held here, which might explain the near-record field of runners who coursed along the birch-lined trails before finishing in the stadium area of Machetanz Field. Wilson made a gutsy move to pass Grace Christian's Mariah Applegate as both entered the stadium for the final few hundred meters of the 5-kilometer race. Wilson finished in 19 minutes, 50.88 seconds for a four-second edge over Applegate (19:54.42). "When we came out onto the track, I started to push myself and I passed her. I gave it all I had at the end," Wilson said after several minutes of recovery, when she lay on the grass, gasping for breath. Wilson is a one-woman show at Kenny Lake, a K-12 school in the Copper River Valley with about 130 students. Her English teacher, Jesse Heinbaugh, is her coach. He said Wilson has been a strong runner for some time. "She u sed to beat all the guys in junior high P.E.," he said.

Service's Kennedy was pleasantly surprised with her victory in 19:10.44. A senior who was ninth at the state championships last season, she had several reasons to not expect too much: She felt a little sick when she woke up Saturday morning; the course at Palmer is flat and Kennedy's strength is hills; and the field included someone who has always beaten her -- West's Letitia Luch.

After the first half kilometer or so, Kennedy made her move, and no one could keep up -- not even Luch, who finished a distant eighth. "I kind of felt like we were going slower than we usually do," Kennedy said. "So I was like, OK, so I sped up a bit after the first (kilometer), and nobody really followed." The boldest move of the day came from Holly. He out-kicked Anchorage Christian School's Tyler Andersen with less than 100 meters to go, along a finish chute lined with fans, to win in 16:35.45. Andersen was right behind in 16:36.97. Holly said two things worked in his favor Saturday: Andersen was racing with a bum knee, and right before the race start Grace Christian's Leif Karlberg started throwing up and left the starting line. Andersen led most of the race, but Holly's sprint kick won it. "I drafted off him, passed him a couple of times," Holly said after he shook hands with every runner as they left the finish chute. "But I wanted to stay back, draft, and kick at the end. I didn't think I'd be able to out-kick him, but it worked out."

In the boys Class 4A race, South High's Aaron Fletcher won with relative ease over a pair of Kodiak runners -- neither of them Trevor Dunbar, who beat Fletcher at last year's state meet.

Dunbar is visiting potential colleges this weekend instead of running in Palmer, leaving Fletcher as the favorite. Fletcher came through with a winning time of 15:56.72, which put him comfortably ahead of Kodiak's Sam Salus (16:12.73) and Dylan Anthony (16:21.32).

Janecek Trails

5 kilometers Class 1-2-3A Girls

Team scores

1) Grace Christian 20; 2) Seward 44; 3) Bethel 109; 4) Anchorage Christian 125; 5) Eielson 134; 6) Kotzebue 149; 7) Chevak 151.

Individual results

Top 50

1. Wilson, Kailey, Kenny Lake, 19:50.87; 2. Applegate, Mariah, GRA, 19:54.42; 3. Barnwell, Allison, SEW, 20:11.57; 4. Kopp, Holly, GRA, 20:31.13; 5. Dupea, Marjie, GRA, 20:40.36; 6. Gionet, Jaala, GRA, 20:43.86; 7. Stevenson, Bailey, SUV, 20:56.37; 8. Arneson, Sadie, CIA, 21:14.11; 9. Barnwell, Mackenzie, SEW, 21:28.25; 10. Cresap, Sarah, GRA, 21:34.92; 11. Davis, Beth Anne, GRA, 21:46.38; 12. Lisac, Jorden, DILL, 21:56.35; 13. Loughlin, Julie Anne, GRA, 21:59.11; 14. Peek, Rebecka, ELMA, 22:05.01; 15. Atherton, Kristina, SEW, 22:41.09; 16. Klejka, Jennifer, BETH, 22:47.21; 17. Zweifel, Catie, SEW, 23:02.11; 18. Olson, AnnieKate, NOME, 23:02.43; 19. Mocan, Thresia, NOME, 23:14.71; 20. Pellumbi, Eniana, BETH, 23:20.30; 21. Feemster, Samantha, SEW, 23:25.03; 22. McGill, Amanda, DILL, 23:27.31; 23. Luce, Liz, NOME, 23:29.15; 24. Erlich, Jamie, OTZ, 23:32.26; 25. Thompson, Krystal, ACS, 23:56.27; 26. Hickerson, Winona, OTZ, 24:01.31; 27. Sef ton, Kelley, SEW, 24:04.28; 28. Green, Crystal, DEL, 24:05.12; 29. Murtiff, Micky, EIE, 24:17.87; 30. Lammer, Renee, NOME, 24:22.61; 31. Byman, Meg, EIE, 24:22.92; 32. Magpantay, JB, UNAK, 24:33.35; 33. Anderson, Margaret, CHEV, 24:39.93; 34. Beck, Whitney, ELMA, 24:41.57; 35. Jaconette, Olivia, ACS, 24:50.88; 36. Hladick, Bethany, UNAK, 24:56.83; 37. Campbell, Maddy, SEW, 25:00.09; 38. Nash, Crysta, CHEV, 25:09.01; 39. Beans-Polk, Chelsey, BETH, 25:11.87; 40. Wrigley, Mallory, DEL, 25:12.16; 41. Willis, Sabrina, ACS, 25:12.71; 42. McElwee, Christina, BETH, 25:27.60; 43. Lake, Chelsea, CHEV, 25:28.00; 44. Baker, Rachel, ACS, 25:28.64; 45. Boyd, Taylor, EIE, 25:32.12; 46. Vanderbunt, Britney, EIE, 25:40.15; 47. Thibodeaux, Briana, ACS, 25:48.99; 48. Forbes, Lauren, BETH, 25:51.85; 49. Belt, Mallorie, EIE, 25:54.16; 50. Wasuli, Allison, OTZ, 25:54.52.

Class 1-2-3A Boys

Team scores

1) Grace Christian 43; 2) Anchorage Christian 82; 3) Seward 92; 4) Chevak 127; 5) Elma 137; 6) Nome Beltz 152; 7) Bethel 155; 8) Kotzebue 212; 9) Dillingham 247; 10) Susitna Valley 271; 11) Hutchison 293; 12) Ben Eielson 303; 13) Delta 305; 14) Cordova 353; 15) Barrow 401.

Individual results

Top 50

1. Holly, Josh, CIA, 16:35.47; 2. Andersen, Tyler, ACS, 16:36.97; 3. Kirk, Jacob, GRA, 16:43.11; 4. Jackson, Todd, ELMA, 16:57.74; 5. Price, Travis, SEW, 17:01.99; 6. Head, Jeremy, NOME, 17:07.78; 7. Vest, Mike, ELMA, 17:14.63; 8. Paniyak, Harald, CHEV, 17:20.56; 9. Arnold, Andrew, GRA, 17:30.24; 10. Weber, John, GRA, 17:43.86; 11. Arneson, Lars, CIA, 17:54.13; 12. Charters, Luke, ACS, 17:57.75; 13. Cotter, Caleb, GRA, 17:59.55; 14. Olson, Blake, DILL, 18:09.81; 15. Dillon, Joseph, GRA, 18:10.90; 16. Chase, Brett, SEW, 18:11.35; 17. Hanson, Randy, BETH, 18:12.86; 18. Keeney, George, VDZ, 18:14.63; 19. Stooksbury, Stephen, ACS, 18:15.09; 20. Davis, Caleb, GRA, 18:15.35; 21. Ferguson, Conor, CHEV, 18:17.33; 22. Buchanan, Andrew, SEW, 18:22.88; 23. LaPore, Corbin, BETH, 18:24.93; 24. Hughes, Blake, HUT, 18:29.38; 25. Best, Nick, EIE, 18:33.69; 26. Tennyson, Reed, DILL, 18:37.91; 27. Baker, Matt, ACS, 18:38.50; 28. Matchian, Thurl, CHEV, 18: 43.02; 29. Gillespie, Austin, SEW, 18:44.35; 30. Ulroan, Warren, CHEV, 18:45.24; 31. Field, Tim, NOOR, 18:45.46; 32. Miller, Jared, OTZ, 18:47.26; 33. Dixon, Pyper, SEW, 18:54.99; 34. Conger, Emerson, NOME, 18:56.46; 35. Williams, Ryan, ACS, 18:57.03; 36. Lovitt, Andrew, ELMA, 19:00.79; 37. Hoch, Dylan, ACS, 19:07.97; 38. Strickland, Sebastian, NIK, 19:08.73; 39. Haddow, Tyler, SEW, 19:10.02; 40. Arnold, Matthew, ELMA, 19:15.31; 41. Downing, Matt, VDZ, 19:18.53; 42. Kelly, Bill, SUV, 19:21.47; 43. Wongittilin, Mikey, NOME, 19:22.21; 44. Sullivan, Tim, NOME, 19:23.38; 45. Chavez, Ryan, BETH, 19:24.59; 46. Swope, Joseph, BETH, 19:25.69; 47. Klejka, Jeremiah, BETH, 19:30.07; 48. Wongittilin, Jon, NOME, 19:34.41; 49. Magdanz, Grant, OTZ, 19:38.50; 50. Henning, Joseph, UNAK, 19:44.66.

Class 4A Girls

Team scores

1) West 81; 2) Service 102; 3) West Valley 110; 4) South 132; 5) Colony 157; 6) Soldotna 164; 7) Lathrop 170; 8) Wasilla 224; 9) Dimond 262; 10) East 274; 11) Kodiak 267; 12) Chugiak 324; 13) Kenai Central 334; 14) Eagle River 337; 15) North Pole 392; 16) Bartlett 427; 17) Homer 443; 18) Palmer 523.

Individual results

Top 50

1. Kennedy, Esther, SER, 19:10.44; 2. Schmitz, Christi, NPL, 19:27.12; 3. Ivanoff, Chloe, KOD, 19:32.72; 4. Mucha, Bree, SOL, 19:51.74; 5. O'Guinn, Ivy, SKY, 19:57.87; 6. Edic, Heather, LAT, 20:00.54; 7. Kroloff, Emma, SER, 20:06.12; 8. Luch, Letitia, WANC, 20:06.81; 9. Yanoshek, Kelly, SANC, 20:07.97; 10. Smith, Melanie, SOL, 20:08.94; 11. King, Kristen, ERIV, 20:12.24; 12. Teslow, Kayla, WVL, 20:12.65; 13. Gerik, Danielle, WANC, 20:17.62; 14. Liotta, Annie, WANC, 20:19.23; 15. Boyer, Hannah, WVL, 20:19.63; 16. Backstrum, Kate, SANC, 20:20.20; 17. Simpson, Malia, WVL, 20:21.21; 18. Stone, Sydney, LAT, 20:25.16; 19. Luch, Delia, WANC, 20:27.52; 20. Nees, Rosika, SER, 20:30.36; 21. Bick, Susan, BAR, 20:32.34; 22. Stewart, Sydney, COL, 20:34.47; 23. Wilson, Lauren, DIM, 20:35.76; 24. Matthews, Melissa, EANC, 20:37.18; 25. Hutchins, Alyssa, COL, 20:37.81; 26. Merkes, Maranda, SOL, 20:38.77; 27. Grant, Anna, EANC, 20:40.09; 28. Rorabaugh, Ma risa, WVL, 20:40.41; 29. Jahn, Abby, COL, 20:40.64; 30. Watkins, Molly, KEN, 20:42.11; 31. Ostrander, Taylor, KEN, 20:45.47; 32. Luch, Marcelyn, WANC, 20:46.07; 33. Lee, Heather, SANC, 20:49.76; 34. Stramp, Robin, DIM, 20:50.78; 35. Culver, Katie, SANC, 20:52.84; 36. Miner, Robin, SER, 20:54.80; 37. Wick, Maria, COL, 20:55.25; 38. Castle, Samantha, DIM, 20:55.75; 39. Kendra, Miner, WAS, 20:55.94; 40. Katie, Bialka, WAS, 20:59.22; 41. Edic, Megan, LAT, 21:03.52; 42. Muller-Stubblefield, Krystal, SER, 21:06.13; 43. Rorabaugh, Eliza, WVL, 21:07.60; 44. Dineen, Jordan, SANC, 21:12.82; 45. Fitzgerald, Kim, LAT, 21:13.46; 46. Mucha, Kailey, SOL, 21:14.63; 47. Brooke, Nelson, WAS, 21:14.82; 48. Bethea, Jaymi, KOD, 21:17.09; 49. Skvorc, Caitlin, COL, 21:19.62; 50. Jessica, Pahkala, WAS, 21:20.91.

Class 4A Boys

Team scores

1) Service 41; 2) West Valley 91; 3) Kodiak 109; 4) West 143; 5) Colony 149; 6) South 179; 7) Lathrop 192; 8) Dimond 199; 9) Chugiak 222; 10) Skyview 290; 11) Wasilla 305; 12) Soldotna 310; 13) East 312; 14) Palmer 344; 15) Eagle River 377; 16) North Pole 450; 17) Homer 539; 18) Kenai Central 564; 19) Bartlett 569; 20) Houston 621.

Individual results

Top 50

1. Fletcher, Aaron, South, 15:56.72; 2. Salus, Sam, Kod, 16:12.73; 3. Anthony, Dylan, Kod, 16:21.32; 4. Hoefler, Werner, WV, 16:29.16; 5. Talbot, Silas, Ser, 16:31.07; 6. Phelps, Cody, Ser, 16:34.23; 7. Mangelsdorf, Wylie, Pal, 16:38.17; 8. Lane, Jani, Ser, 16:45.80; 9. Hanley, Ryan, Dim, 16:53.55; 10. Goodman, Dane, Ser, 16:56.38; 11. Crimp, James, West, 16:56.67; 12. Walgren, Robert, Ser, 17:04.14; 13. Remington, Jacob, WV, 17:10.53; 14. Harpel, Christian, South, 17:17.39; 15. Moerlein, Mike, Sky, 17:18.96; 16. Bearden, Taylor, WV, 17:19.50; 17. Odegaard, Alex, West, 17:20.95; 18. Enloe, Tanner, Col, 17:21.43; 19. Norris, David, Lath, 17:22.32; 20. Sinnett, Steven, Col, 17:33.77; 21. Klutz, Zachary, East, 17:34.91; 22. Mullett, Pat, Chu, 17:39.90; 23. Simon, Fischer, Was, 17:40.53; 24. Treinen, Nick, West, 17:41.17; 25. Osowski, James, Kod, 17:41.56; 26. Ford, Jeff, Col, 17:42.65; 27. Kisken, Sawyer, WV, 17:43.67; 28. Susook, Dion, Eas t, 17:45.64; 29. Ray, Josh, NP, 17:48.65; 30. Burrell, Nathaniel, Lath, 17:0.06; 31. Solie, Sean, WV, 17:54.28; 32. Crawford, Dylan, Col, 17:55.67; 33. Nugent, Pat, Lath, 17:56.68; 34. Semmens, Tavis, Sol, 17:56.90; 35. Zinck, Ethan, West, 17:57.08; 36. Ginn, Zach, Lath, 17:57.80; 37. Novak, Jack, South, 17:58.00; 38. Campbell, Kevin, Dim, 17:58.23; 39. Blott, Justin, Kod, 17:59.31; 40. Munk, Corey, Kod, 18:01.83; 41. Wheatall, Aaron, Ser, 18:02.38; 42. Schneider, Patrick, Kod, 18:02.60; 43. Alward, Jake, Dim, 18:02.89; 44. Kelly, Logan, Ser, 18:03.30; 45. Stone, Alex, Sol, 18:04.55; 46. Brown, Mitchell, Dim, 18:04.90; 47. Cook, Johnny, Sky, 18:05.36; 48. Zelenkov, Eric, Chu, 18:05.85; 49. Babos, Alex, Chu, 18:06.35; 50. DeWilde, Gavin, NP, 18:06