Three meets into the 2024 season, the Unalakleet Wolfpack cross country team is turning their attention towards the state championships. They’re being led by star junior Ourea Busk, the reigning Division 3 Women’s champion. The young competitor shined at the Nome Classic Invitational, where she earned a third-consecutive first place finish. She finished with a time of 21:08 on the rocky course tucked behind Nome Beltz.
Last weekend, Busk finished 11th on a new course at Bartlett High School, where the state championships will be held in three weeks time. There, Busk set a season-best time of 20:16, just 30 seconds behind the pace that earned her the 2023 state title.
Unalakleet’s Isabella Eller also delivered a standout performance at the Nome Classic by finishing in fourth place with a time of 22:40. The freshman went on to set a personal record of 22:02 at the Bartlett meet.
On the men’s team, Teyler Johnson impressed with a time of 20:21 at the Nome Classic. The sophomore secured 7th place overall and was the second fastest runner from the Bering Strait School District (BSSD). Middle schooler Ezra Jack finished 2nd in his heat after leading for the majority of the race.
The team is preparing for one of their most anticipated events—the Qamuuqhin Hill Trails race in Unalakleet this weekend. Unalakleet’s Activities Director Thurman Jack says the race is “renowned as one of the most challenging cross-country courses in Alaska.”
The race will draw teams from Elim, Brevig Mission, White Mountain, Shaktoolik, and Teller. It will be the Wolfpack’s final regular season race before the BSSD Conference meet in Golovin on September 27. Qualifying racers will advance to the state championships on October 5.
