High school runners open season </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 9:44 PM on Wednesday, August 27, 2008

High school runners open season

Seims, Williamson lead Mariner boys', girls' teams

By Aaron Selbig
Staff Writer

Mariners' runner Tux Seims put on a strong showing Saturday at the Skyview Invitational, turning in a team best time of 18:39.6 on the 5-kilometer course. Seims led a pack of five Homer runners who all came in under the 21-minute mark.

"Tux has looked strong in early season running and looks ready to hold the top spot for the boys team this year," said Mariners Cross Country Coach Paul Gutzler.

Photographer: Aaron Selbig, Homer News

Homer's Tux Seims finishes the Skyview Invite in 18:39.6, leading the Mariner boys to a 17th-place team finish.

The Skyview Invitational, the first big cross country meet of the season for the Mariners, attracted more than 600 runners from 21 different schools this year. In the team standings, Service and West high schools took first place for the boys' and girls' teams respectively.

The Mariner girls were led by Kayla Williamson, who finished with a time of 22:17.7, and freshman runner Elaine Miller, who finished her first ever high school race with an impressive time of 23:00.6.

The Mariners return home Friday for the Homer Invitational, which begins at 3:30 p.m. with the junior varsity girls' race. The course starts and ends at the Homer High football field. There will be a 5-kilometer community run following the varsity boys' race at 5:30 p.m.

Aaron Selbig can be reached at aaron.selbig@homernews.com.

Skyview Invitational at Tsalteshi Trails

Saturday, Aug. 23

Girls

Team Standings: 1. West; 2. Grace Christian; 3. Chugiak; 4. Colony; 5. Service; 5. South; 7. Soldotna; 8. Wasilla; 9. Kodiak; 10. Dimond; 11. Eagle River; 12. Kenai; 13. Bartlett; 13. East; 15. Palmer.

Individual Results (Homer): 64. Kayla Williamson, 22:17.7; 78. Elaine Miller, 23:00.6; 107. Brittney Wyatt, 25:00.2; 118. Kelsey Hass, 26:48.4; JV. Maya Rohr, 25:34.8; JV. Aviva Hirsch, 28:53.4.

Boys

Team Standings: 1. Service; 2. West; 3. Grace; 3. Kodiak; 5. South; 6. Colony; 7. Chugiak; 8. Dimond; 9. ACS; 10. Skyview; 11. Wasilla; 12. East; 13. Palmer; 14. Eagle River; 15. Bethel; 16. Soldotna; 17. Homer; 18. Bartlett; 19. Kenai.

Individual Results (Homer): 72. Tux Seims, 18:39.6; 110. Kyle Wisner, 20:12.6; 112. Kevin Rowe, 20:13.1; 120. Courtney Smith, 20:31.1; 132. Jody Gaines, 21:36.8; JV. Dan Adickes, 20:46.9; JV. Kevin DeVaney, 23:44.5; JV. Matt Jasper, 24:55.6.