Cross-Country
Dieckgraeff Invitation (Seward)
September 16, 2022
Courtesy of VHS Coaches – The Bucs Cross-Country team made the long haul to Seward for 2 laps around Seward High School. The course started on the practice football field and ducked onto a trail in a beautiful cedar forest that took the runners up and behind the high school followed by a long descent and then back up. The hills were long and tested their endurance. Official results should be posted soon.
This week Junior Anika Palomar and Freshman Oliver Ownbey sat the race out, but cheered on their teammates. The JV Boys started the afternoon races. Freshmen Erik Vincent and James Humphrey started off together as usual. It didn’t take long for Humphrey to pull away from Vincent. Usually Vincent matches Humphrey’s speed, but not today. Humphrey surprised everyone coming around the bend solo with Vincent a couple minutes behind. Humphrey remained strong the entire race and earned himself
another Personal Record crossing the finish line in an impressive spring in just over 25 minutes (awaiting official time). Vincent fought to sprint towards the finish line to beat the runner that came barreling down the field and finished in over 27 minutes.
The Varsity Boys were ready and appreciated the tough hills we had tackled at practice last week. Senior Cole Wadsworth and Junior Rafe Caruthers remained strong throughout the race. Caruthers was slowed by a barricade of Bethel runners that refused to let him through. Eventually he sprinted past them, but not in enough time to get another Personal Record. Wadsworth remained consistent and improved his time over last week with a 22:44 finish and Caruthers is staying within range of a PR next weekend with a finish of 19:25.
Finally, Sophomore Morgan Hamilton represented the Varsity Girls. Hamilton maintained an even pace throughout the entirety of the course. Hamilton’s consistent shin splints have affected her ability to fully practice and has resulted in weakened lungs. We’re working hard to get her lungs back into shape to match the strength of her legs. Hamilton finished in 30:30.
Today’s race was Senior Cole Wadsworth’s last race. He will be dearly missed next week at Regionals. Regionals will again be held at the Fairbanks Golf Club, a great course for records to be set.
Go Bucs!