Alaska will hold State Cross Country Championships
The shadow of COVID-19 has eliminated much sporting activity for high school athletes in Alaska but the state championships in many sports are scheduled to take place.
Nome’s cross country runners are practicing after school and have held two races so far. On Saturday they ran a 5K race in which the runners ran against the clock, each starting separately.
The state meet is scheduled for Oct. 10 at Anchorage’s Bartlett High School. The Bartlett course is one of the state’s best but there is talk that the competition may be moved to Kincaid Park where there is more space for social distancing. Kincaid Park’s course is also excellent, although moose on the course can be a problem.
The ASAA website states “It is the intent of ASAA to host championship events in all activities. However, dates, locations and formats may change due to the impact of COVID-19.” ASAA suggests social distancing of at least six feet be maintained at all times. No hugging, shaking hands, or fist bumps for support/encouragement. And cross country meets should consider using staggered, wave or interval starts.
Nanook senior Tobin Hobbs is running well and can look forward to competing at the top level in the upcoming championships. He placed 16th in last year’s meet.
Tristian Merchant, a senior at Anchorage Christian School, has run the fastest 5K time in the nation this year. He ran a 14:45.2 at a race Friday at Cheney Lake. According to Kodiak coach Marcus Dunbar that’s the fastest of any high school runner ever. Olympian Don Clary ran miles rather than kilometers so the times can’t be compared directly. But his top time is not as fast as Merchant’s, according to Dunbar.