Sports

Junior HIgh Cross country closes out season with stellar weather

Jessica Fellman
for Buffalo Times
Updated
Sep 23, 2026 1:17 PM
News Image

After four weeks of cold, rainy races in Fairbanks, we happily embraced the blue skies and good conditions on the Liewer Trail this Saturday for our final race. 

Our team put in seven weeks of hard training work and it paid off in their last matchup against Valdez, Tri-Valley, and IDEA homeschool runners. 

Training kicked off the first week of August and the weather overall was great. District vehicles were available. so the team was able to train on a variety of trails which enhanced their quality of training.

Every runner on the team improved their personal best mile time over the course of the season, and many took home ribbons at our final race as proof of their efforts. I will miss running with our team each day! 

‍

A whopping 29 junior high runners showed up for the 2026 cross-country team. Runners and coaches are, back row from left, Viktoria Sidorova, Lois Tenpas, Claira Bialik, Alexander Root Matos, Walter Brook, Isaac Skywatcher, Moriana Lene, Ryleigh Phariss, and Charlise Lene. Middle row from left, Jessica Fellman, Colton Leija, Nathaniel Skywatcher, Marissa Leija, Bristol Hughes, Ruth Ovchinnikov, Nolan Jepsen, Kynleigh Phariss, Jasper Weidner, Kellan Minton, Loys Velazquez Santos, Camilla Arocho Rosado, and Coach Skylar Tarwater. Front row from left, Ludwig Rivera Morell, Bethany Rothe, Ava Copeland, Jade Shapoval, Aliyah Copeland, Julia Sicotorschi, Sofia Sicotorschi, Amelia Dillon, Axel Velazquez Nieves. Photo courtesy of Jessica Fellman

‍

‍

Bethany Rothe is solely focused on one thing, and that is hitting the finish line. Photo by Holly Stiles

‍

‍

Charlie Lene leads a pack of Delta Grizzlies. Coming up behind her are Camilla Arocho Rosado, Aliyah Copeland, and Julia Sicotorschi. Photo by Holly Stiles

‍

Julia Sicotorschi, left, holding a sixth place ribbon, stands with her twin sister Sofia Sicotorschi, who placed first. Four sets of twins were part of the Delta Junior High Cross Country team this season. Photo by Michele Trainor

‍

Holding his fourth place ribbon is Colton Leija, and standing next to him is his twin sister Marrisa Leija with a first place win. Photo by Michele Trainor

‍

Kellan Minton pours on the coals as he heads down a hill. Photo by Holly Stiles

‍

Tri-Valley Warriors in the blue lead the pack with the Delta Grizzlies. Heading up the first hill is Grizzly Nathanial Skywatcher and coming up behind is Nolan Jepsen. Photo by Holly Stiles

‍

Walter Brook takes a gander at the trail ahead of him. A break in the weather Saturday gave the runners some blue skies and drier running conditions. Photo by Holly Stiles

‍

See all the great sports photos from Holly Stiles at Arctic Action School Sports: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587171690172

Download the latest FREE electronic edition
CTA Image
CTA Image
CTA Image
CTA Image
CTA Image
CTA Image

Access exclusive content and analysis.

From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newspaper keeps you informed and engaged with what matters most. Subscribe today and join our community of readers staying ahead of the curve.

This content is for subscribers only
Webflow Icon