Bethel Warriors claim podium at Valdez XC Invitational

by Delta Discovery Staff

The Bethel Cross Country Team won both the girls and boys divisions at the Valdez Cross Country Invitational this past weekend, August 17^th. They also took the top three spots on the podium. Teams participating included Bethel, Cordova, Unalaska, and the host team the Valdez Buccaneers.

Winning the girls division was freshman Claire Dyment of Bethel. She finished the 5K course with a time of 23:14. Her sister Rosemarie Dyment, a junior, came in second at 23:28. Sophomore Kayleigh Bell, also of Bethel, finished in third. Her time was 24:03.

Four other Lady Warriors finished in the top ten: freshman Sally Peters placed 5^th, senior Kyana Harpak came in 6^th, sophomore Riley Boney 7^th, and freshmen Kaitlyn Wade cracked the top 10 in 10^th place.

The Bethel Warrior boys also swept the podium with senior Ned Peters winning the gold medal (16:32), sophomore Jackson Iverson placed second (17:26), and his brother Cole Iverson, a freshman, won third place (17:40).

Other Warriors also finished in the top 12: sophomore Ethan Wheeler finished in 5^th, senior Sheldon Smith placed 6^th, senior Madden Cockroft placed 9^th, and sophomore Aiden Crow finished in 12^th place.

Runners started the 5K course on the East Dike of Mineral Creek. They ran up Cullen’s Hill to Mineral Creek Road where they crossed a bridge that bounces when running. Racers then ran up Mighty Might to a small water crossing towards the turn around point. At 2.5 km, runners made a large arc on the road before returning to the starting line.

Race organizers also hosted a community race after the combined high school and middle school race. The day’s events concluded with an awards ceremony at the high school cafeteria.

Valdez 5K Invite Results

August 17, 2024

Girls Results

1 Claire Dyment 23:14, Bethel

2 Rosemarie Dyment 23:28, Bethel

3 Kayleigh Bell 24:03, Bethel

4 Sadie Fry 24:08, Cordova

5 Sally Peters 25:24, Bethel

6 Kyana Harpak 25:37, Bethel

7 Riley Boney 26:16, Bethel

8 Jewely Weber 26:59, Valdez

9 Beatrice Bagley 28:59, Unalaska

10 Kaitlyn Wade 29:48, Bethel

11 Morgan Hamilton 29:59, Valdez

12 Railin Marquez 30:53, Unalaska

13 Francheska Dumo 31:13, Unalaska

14 Ashley Go 31:57, Unalaska

Boys Results

1 Ned Peters 16:32, Bethel

2 Jackson Iverson 17:26, Bethel

3 Cole Iverson 17:40, Bethel

4 Reggie Baksis 17:52, Valdez

5 Ethan Wheeler 18:15, Bethel

6 Sheldon Smith 18:18, Bethel

7 James Humphrey 18:23, Valdez

8 Kaden VanBuskirk 18:27, Valdez

9 Madden Cockroft 18:38, Bethel

10 Deklan Nettleton 19:01, Unalaska

11 Tegan Hesse 19:12, Cordova

12 Aidan Crow 19:19, Bethel

13 Cirque Carter 19:36, Valdez

14 Noah Pearson 19:53, Cordova

15 Nicolas Kitsyuk 19:55, Unalaska

16 Romen Weber 20:05, Valdez

17 Franklin Dumo 20:28, Unalaska

18 Kaidon Parker 21:40, Unalaska

19 Zach Berkley 21:45, Valdez

20 12 Karl Griffith 21:54, Cordova

21 Freddie Cecena 22:09, Unalaska

22 Robert Taylor 22:30, Valdez

23 Eli Banks 26:59, Cordova

Girls Team Score

1 Bethel 15

Boys Team Scores

1 Bethel 15

2 Valdez 48

3 Unalaska 95

4 Cordova 98

Up next for Warriors XC is the Ted McKenney Invitational in Soldotna, Alaska, home of the SoHi Stars on August 24^th.