
by Thurman Jack

Golovin, Alaska – The Bering Strait School District (BSSD) cross-country championships were held under cold and windy conditions in Golovin, where runners battled it out for top spots to advance to the State Championships.
In the high school boys’ race, Shaktoolik’s sophomore Seth Paniptchuk defended his BSSD title with an impressive time of 18:37. The race for second and third place was intense, with Junior Norman Stenek (Shishmaref) and sophomore Teyler Johnson (Unalakleet) trading places throughout. As they entered the final stretch, Golovin’s hometown runner, senior Derrick Smith, surged ahead to claim third. The final standings were:
1. Seth Paniptchuk (10, Shaktoolik) 18:37
2. Norman Stenek (11, Shishmaref) 19:22
3. Derrick Smith (12, Golovin) 19:23
4. Teyler Johnson (10, Unalakleet) 19:24 (PR)
5. Jayden Barr (12, White Mountain) 19:40
Teyler Johnson had an outstanding race, shaving over three minutes off his time from last year’s conference meet, finishing with a personal record (PR) of 19:24. Other notable performances for Unalakleet included senior Trenton Towarak (22:29, 10th), sophomore Nathan Vink who set a PR with a time of 25:17 (16th), and sophomore Michael Katchatag who also achieved a PR with a time of 25:30 (17th). Unalakleet’s boys secured second place in the team standings, behind the Savoonga boys, who took the team title.
In the high school girls’ race, Unalakleet dominated, with Junior Ourea Busk capturing her third consecutive BSSD title in 20:33. The top five finishers were:
1. Ourea Busk (11, Unalakleet) 20:33
2. Isabella Eller (9, Unalakleet) 21:51 (PR)
3. Cedar Busk (12, Unalakleet) 25:02 (PR)
4. Ayuu Roesch (11, Unalakleet) 26:02 (PR)
5. Annette Paniptchuk (9, Shaktoolik) 27:18
Unalakleet’s girls secured the top four positions. Freshman Isabella Eller continued her standout season, securing second place with a new personal record (PR) of 21:51, while senior Cedar Busk rounded out the podium in third with a PR of 25:02. Ayuu Roesch also set a PR with her fourth-place finish in 26:02. Unalakleet girls claimed first place in the team standings, while Shaktoolik girls took second place.
Team Awards and Special Recognitions
● Boys’ Team Champion: Savoonga
● Boys’ Team Runner-Up: Unalakleet
● Girls’ Team Champion: Unalakleet
● Girls’ Team Runner-Up: Shaktoolik
● Academic Award: Unalakleet
● Sportsmanship Award: Gambell
BSSD State Qualifiers
The top three boys and girls runners will advance to the ASAA State Championships, which will be held next Saturday, October 5th, in Anchorage at Bartlett High School. The girls’ Division 3 race is scheduled for 10:00 AM, followed by the boys’ Division 3 race at 11:00 AM. Unalakleet
will be well-represented, with Ourea Busk aiming to defend her Division 3 state title.
Runners from Unalakleet, Shaktoolik, Brevig Mission, St. Michael, Savoonga, Gambell, White Mountain, Golovin, and Shishmaref participated in this event.
Region 1 BSSD XC Championships
Girls Results
Place/Grade/Name/Time/Village
1 Ourea Busk 20:33 UNK
2 Isabella Eller 21:51 UNK
3 Cedar Busk 25:02 UNK
4 Ayuu Roesch 26:02 UNK
5 Annette Paniptchuk 27:18 SHK
6 Mary Iyapana 28:38 BVM
7 Candyce Lockwood 30:47 STM
8 Faith Kingeekuk 31:14 SVA
9 Madison Katchatag 32:16 SHK
10 Chelsea Olanna 39:16 BVM
11 Madelyn Kuzuguk 40:15 BVM
12 Josie Ungott 46:34 GMB
Boys Results
Place/Grade/Name/Time/Village
1 Seth Paniptchuk 18:37 SHK
2 Norman Stenek 19:22 SHM
3 Derrick Smith 19:23 GLV
4 Teyler Johnson 19:24 UNK
5 Jadyn Barr 19:40 WMT
6 Elijah Barr 20:53 SHM
7 Chase Katchatag 21:07 SHK
8 Samuel Elachik 22:04 STM
9 Edwin Noongwook 22:09 SVA
10 Trenton Towarak 22:29 UNK
11 Keanan Barr 23:12 WMT
12 Sean Mokiyuk 23:20 SVA
13 Keaton Waghiyi 24:29 SVA
14 Keith Kiyuklook 24:54 SVA
15 Tracy Tungiyan 25:15 GMB
16 Nathan Vink 25:17 UNK
17 Michael Katchatag 25:30 UNK
18 Eljay Apatiki 26:14 GMB
19 Maximillian Seppilu 26:16 SVA
20 Keyan Fagerstron 26:17 GLV
21 Clayton Kiyutelluk 26:44 SHM
22 Donovan Angi 27:00 GMB
23 Elmer Olanna 29:59 SHM
24 Shane Akeya 30:37 SVA
25 Emanual Rookok 30:45 SVA
26 Walter Nayokpuk 31:16 SHM
27 Jeremiah Olanna 33:30 SHM