High School students from across the Delta made the trip to Bethel this weekend to compete in the Lower Kuskowkim School District state qualifying cross country meet.
Carl Charlie of Bethel Regional High School took first place for the boys in the 3.1 mile race through Bethel’s sandpits. KYUK’s news intern Jackie Williams spoke with Charlie just moments after crossing the finish line.
KYUK: How do you feel about the race?
Williams: Great. Did what I had to do and I achieved my goal: being first. Last home race. Better than I did last week. I started off slow so I could save some energy, and at the end I picked it up more.
KYUK: Was the course difficult?
Charlie: No, it wasn’t.
KYUK: What advice do you want to give to kids who want to join cross country?
Charlie: Run hard; keep practicing.
KYUK: Anything else you want to tell people?
Charlie: I'd like to thank my coaches, my teammates, the community of Bethel.
That was KYUK’s news intern Jackie Williams talking with Carl Charlie, winner of the boys cross country state qualifiers.
The second place winner for the boys was Eugene Alexie from Toksook Bay.
Third place was Lawrence Poe from BRHS.
First place for the girls was Jane Hanna of Mekoryuk.
Second place: Dorothy Bukowski from BRHS.
And third for the girls: Amanda Kanrilak from Tununak.
A total of 20 runners advanced to the state finals from the region. See KYUK.org for a complete list. The state cross country meet will take place October 1 at Bartlett High School in Anchorage.