Kaia Mangaccat secured the girls state cross-country running title at the Bartlett High Ski Trails, running the 5-kilometer course in 18 minutes, 32 seconds. The victory marks the first individual girls state championship for Juneau-Douglas.Yadaa at Kalé since 2016.
Bartlett High Ski Trails Championship Race
Temperatures hovered in the mid-30s as Mangaccat and Chugiak freshman Claire Shaha separated themselves from the pack early in the race, running stride for stride through the first three kilometers. Mangaccat made her decisive move shortly before the halfway mark, pulling away from the field while donning a bubble braid and glitter on her cheeks. She crossed the finish line in 18:32 to claim the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska State Cross Country Running Championship.
Shaha finished 12 seconds back in 18:44, earning runner-up honors. West runners Chloe Hayner and Kendall Barnett took third and fourth with times of 19:03 and 19:05, respectively. Kodiak’s Charlotte Deemer rounded out the top five in 19:06 after advancing 13 spots during the race and recording the fastest final kilometer in the field.
Chugiak Mustangs Sixth Consecutive Team Title
In the team standings, the Chugiak Mustangs captured their sixth consecutive title, marking the longest streak in Division 1 girls state history. The squad finished with 59 points, extending their win streak against in-state competition to 17. Colony edged Service for second place with 83 points to Service’s 84.
Chugiak’s effort was anchored by Shaha’s second-place finish. Sophomore Maddison Kukuk took sixth in 19:06, sophomore Rylee Ruggles placed 15th in 19:37, freshman Lucia Sandoval finished 18th in 19:53, and senior Kyra Walter took 26th in 20:12.
Top 10 Division 1 Girls Finishers
- Kaia Mangaccat, Juneau-Douglas, 18:32
- Claire Shaha, Chugiak, 18:44
- Chloe Hayner, West, 19:03
- Kendall Barnett, West, 19:05
- Charlotte Deemer, Kodiak, 19:06
- Maddison Kukuk, Chugiak, 19:06
- Karley Tichenor, Palmer, 19:21
- Madeleine Lojewski, East, 19:23
- Fiona Selvik, Service, 19:24
- Aubrey Virgin, Colony, 19:25
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the last time Juneau-Douglas won an individual girls state title?
Prior to Mangaccat’s victory, the last Juneau-Douglas runner to claim the girls state title was Sadie Tuckwood in 2016.
How many points did Chugiak score to win the team title?
The Chugiak Mustangs amassed 59 points to secure their sixth consecutive state team championship.
What was Charlotte Deemer’s finish and time for Kodiak?
Charlotte Deemer finished fifth with a time of 19:06, recording the highest finish for the Bears since Jaymi Bethea won it all in 2010.
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