Gerlach wins fourth state title in Alaska

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Briahna Gerlach became the first four-time state cross country champion in Alaska in 26 years on Saturday and a trio of freshmen made strong debuts at the Alaska state championships at Bartlett Trails.

Gerlach is the third Alaskan prep to win four straight cross country titles and the first to do it since Emily Ransom of Seward (1990-93). Gerlach of Glenallen has owened the Class 3A/2A/1A level in Alaska since her freshman year and concluded her final state meet by running 18:44. She won by 32 seconds. Runner-up Megan Pitzman led Homer to its third straight small school team title.

At the Class 4A level, freshman Sadie Tuckwood of Juneau Douglas ran 18:16 and beat two more freshmen -- Kendall Kramer (18:29) and Maggie Druckenmiller (19:10) of victorious West Valley (Fairbanks). 

Junior Gus Schumacher of Service won the 4A boys title in 15:44 and had a 16-second lead at the finish. West Anchorage put six runners in the top 11 to easily take the team title with 33 points. It was the Eagles' second straight win.

Jacob Moos of Galena won the 3A/2A/1A boys title in 15:55. Homer scored 45 points to knock off 2015 champion Sitka.