BSSD Conference XC Championships: Unalakleet Shines Amidst Challenging Conditions

Unalakleet Wolfpack XC team were honored with the Academic Award at the BSSD Cross Country Championships in Golovin. Photo by Thurman Jack

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