KUCB Photo / Credit: Mia Magalong

       Cross Country is now in its mid-season and the Unalaska Raiders are on fire. The team’s most recent run was this Saturday and 6 Raiders broke their personal records as they sped across the finish line. Ross Enlow placed second in the 123A Varsity Boys Division, with a new personal record of 16:19. Freshman Trevor Wilson also broke his own personal record with a time of 17:45 and finished 9^th. Talon Shaishnikof set a new personal record of 19:28 and Alex Esnardo also set a new personal record of 19:30. The Unalaska Boys Team placed 3^rd overall. Alanna Kochuten led the girls to a 21st place finish with a new personal record of 22:58. Bridget Nalam set a new personal best of 26:57 and the Unalaska Girls Team placed 7^th. 

      The team began practicing July 29^th, even before school started. They ran their first race, the Hearts of the Aleutian 5K Run on August 15 and since have traveled twice for out of town meets. In addition to running in the Palmer invitation this weekend, they also ran in the 3K ACS Class Challenge. The previous weekend, they were at Bartlett High School for the State Preview.

      On Saturday, the team will be running at home for the Tustamena Invite with the race scheduled for 11:00 am. As always the Raiders are looking for community members interested in running in the race or just coming by to show some support. The biggest event for the Raiders Cross Country team at home will be the Region 1 Southwest Championships on Sept 26 with the girls race being scheduled for 11:30 am, the boys race being scheduled for 12:15 pm and the community race being scheduled for 1:00 pm. Four other districts will be flying in to compete. David Gibson is the varsity coach, assisted by Josh Good. Casey Clausius is the junior varsity coach.