by Tommy Wells
Elsa Tinker made sure her chance at qualifying for the Class 1A-2A-3A state cross country meet didn’t rest in other’s hands on Saturday. The Kongiganak standout punched her ticket to the upcoming state meet by sprinting to the top spot in the girls’ standings at the 2018 Lower Kuskokwim Conference Championships, which were held on Saturday in Bethel at the LKSD campus.
Tinker’s title did more than just secure her a trip to the state meet. Paced by her win, the Kongiganak girls amassed just nine points in the meet and edged out rival and closest neighbor Kwigillingok for the top spot in the team standings.
A sophomore, Tinker had little trouble conquering the Bethel streets. She legged out a winning time of 24 minutes, 55 seconds. Her time was more than 10 seconds faster than Amanda Kanrilak’s second-place mark of 25:09.
Kongiganak also picked up stellar outings from sophomore Shayna Evan and senior Halle Beaver. Evan finished third overall with a mark of 25:17. Beaver was 14th at 32:30.
Tuntutuliak’s Nelliann Al’aq Smith and Tununak’s Reann Lincoln, both seniors, rounded out the top five finishers in the girls’ division. Smith crossed the finish line in the 3.1-mile race at 25:30. Lincoln came in at 26:15.
Representing LKSD at the state meet will be Tinker, Kanrilak, Evan, Smith, and Lincoln.
Sean Lupie, Taylor McGeary and Jaden Black all legged out top 10 marks and helped give Kongiganak a sweep of the team titles. The Wolverine boys rolled up just 15 points in the race and edged out Kipnuk and Quinhagak.
Lupie led Kong’s efforts, taking third overall at 19:09. McGeary raced his way to sixth at 19:34, while Black checked in at No. nine at 20:35.
Kwethluk’s Jacob Clark netted the Lower Kuskokwim title by posting a winning time of 18:45. Akula’s Eric Tinker was second at 18:55.
For the LKSD boys team for state, it is going to be Clark, Tinker, Lupie, Chris Alexie of Quinhagak, and Walter John of Kipnuk.
Lower Kuskokwim Conference Regional Championships
Held Sept. 22, 2018 in Bethel
Final Results
BOYS
Team standings – 1. Kongiganak 15; 2. Kipnuk 20; 3. Quinhagak 24; 4. Kwethluk 29; 5. Kwigillingok 41; 6. Chaputnguak 53; 7. Tuntutuliak 76.
Individual standings
1. Jacob Clark, Kwethluk, 18:45
2. Eric Tinker, Akula, 18:55
3. Sean Lupie, Kongiganak, 19:09
4. Chris Alexie, Quinhagak, 19:19
5. Walter John, Kipnuk, 19:24
6. Taylor McGeary, Kongiganak, 19:34
7. Julian Smith, Kipnuk, 20:06
8. Dion Pleasant, Quinhagak, 20:12
9. Jaden Black, Kongiganak, 20:35
10. Raymond Alexie, Kwethluk, 20:42
11. Tristan Anaver, Kipnuk, 20:50
12. Jason Nicholai, Atmautluak, 20:59
13. William Evon, Kwigillingok, 21:08
14. Michael Flynn, Chaputnguak, 21:11
15. Arnold Phillip, Kwigillingok, 21:21
16. Ronald Merritt, Quinhagak, 21:22
17. Lambert Kairaiuak, Chaputnguak, 21:30
18. Marvin Jimmy, Kipnuk, 21:57
19. Nalon John, Kwigillingok, 22:12
20. Jason Evon, Kwigillingok, 22:21
21. Jason Pavila, Kwethluk, 22:36
22. Randall Andrew, Kwigillingok, 22:43
23. Phillip Paul, Kipnuk, 22:44
24. Kalila Brink, Kwigillingok, 22:48
25. Joseph Gilila, Tuntutiliak, 22:49
26. Elia Guest, Quinhagak, 23:13
27. Raymond Lupie, Tuntutiliak, 23:27
28. Henry Kanuk, Chaputnguak, 24:16
29. Troy Paul, Kipnuk, 24:22
30. Tyler Evan, Tuntutuliak, 24:54
31. Nolan Atti, Kwigillingok, 24:59
GIRLS
Team standings – 1. Kongiganak 9; 2. Kwigillingok 12.
Individual Standings
1. Elsa Tinker, Kongiganak, 24:55
2. Amanda Kanrilak, Tununak, 25:09
3. Shayna Evan, Kongiganak, 25:17
4. Nelliann Smith, Tuntutiliak, 25:30
5. Reann Lincoln, Tununak, 26:15
6. Belle Michael, Kwethluk, 26:22
7. Trisha Egoak, Atmautluak, 26:52
8. Kaeli Amik, Kwigillingok, 27:03
9. Saralee Egoak, Atmautluak, 28:24
10. Keisha Demientieff, Akiuk, 29:35
11. Roseann Paul, Kipnuk, 29:42
12. Kira John, Kwigillingok, 31:22
13. Amanda Carter, Kwigillingok, 32:20
14. Halle Beaver, Kongiganak, 32:30
15. Robyn Kugtsun, Kwigillingok, 34:07
