Three Nanook XC runners place at State Championships
Three out of the six Nanook cross country runners earned medals at the Cross Country Running State Championships last weekend in Palmer. Orson Hoogendorn placed eighth in the Boys D II division. Lauren Kingstrom placed seventh and AwaLuk Nichols placed ninth in the Girls D II division.
It was a cold and foggy run on the twisty one-mile loop course, Coach Ryan Fox said it’s nothing the kids aren’t used to. Many of the kids broke their own personal records and past state records.
“I’m really happy with how this season went,” Fox said. “I think a lot of kids found a greater love for running that I hope they continue.”
To mark the closing of their season Fox and the runners who went to states drove to Kincaid Park in Anchorage for a run before the flight home. Fox said the empty park and cold weather symbolized the challenge of continuing motivation for running after the season was over.
Fox said he hopes to coach a track team in the spring, something that hasn’t been done in Nome before.
Individual kids have competed in state events but it’s difficult to practice with a full team due to weather and lack of training space. Fox said after doing some research he found the closest track to Nome is in Anadyr, Russia.
“There’s a lot of logistical hurdles to starting the team, but I’ve got time to plan it,” Fox said.
Runner’s times and places from states are as follows:
Boys D II state championship: 8. Orson Hoogendorn, 17:29; 22. Ben Milton, 18:21; 42. Son Erickson, 19:29; 55. Deacon Callahan, 20:15.
Girls DII State Championship: 7. Lauren Kingstrom, 21:32; 9. AwaLuk Nichols, 21:50.