For the first time ever, Unalakleet will compete as a team at the state cross country championships, after the girls swept the top three positions at the Bering Strait School District (BSSD) regional meet last weekend in Golovin.
Unalakleet Cross Country Coach Mori Jack said the team has worked hard all season, both on the trail and off it, and the results are a testament to their dedication.
“They've worked so hard this season, and they were ready, they felt good, they felt prepared. They just showed up in a big way.” Jack said.
Unalakleet’s girls claimed the first, second, and third spots, led by defending state champion Ourea Busk. The junior secured her third straight conference title and was joined on the podium by freshman Isabella Eller and her older sister, Cedar Busk. They finished with times of 20:33, 21:51, and 25:02 respectively.
Ourea Busk’s consistent success has propelled her to star status in the region’s cross-country scene. In addition to her dominance at BSSD championships, she has won the Nome Invitational three consecutive years.
Her coach described her as “coachable” and “humble”, saying that she tackles every race with determination and calmness.
“She works so hard, rain or shine, and always with a great attitude. She doesn’t overthink it. She just goes out there and runs—it’s like magic.”
- Mori Jack, Unalakleet Cross Country Coach
On the boy’s team, Teyler Johnson just missed out on qualifying after falling short in a three-way battle for the second and third places.
The team’s journey to the state championships has been marked by more than just miles on gravel and dirt roads. Jack says they’ve worked as a team off the course too to fundraise so they can make it to every meet.
“They work really hard all year, baking, crafting, doing everything they can to raise money so they can travel and compete at bigger meets,” Jack said. “All year long, they're working.”
The ASAA Division III State Cross-Country Championships will take place this weekend at Bartlett High School in Anchorage. Shaktoolik’s Seth Paniptchuk, Shishmaref’s Norman Stenek, and Golovin’s Derrick Smith will represent BSSD in the boy’s event.
