The 2024 ASAA Cross Country Running State Championships officially closed this year’s cross-country season, adding yet another to Seward’s history book.
One week prior, the Seahawks appeared at the Region III Championships in Wasilla, where all seven girls’ varsity runners placed within the top 15, including a first-place finish from freshman Olive Jordan, an indication of results to come.
Finally, on October 5, at Bartlett High School, the Lady Hawks once again prevailed to take their third consecutive Division II state title. “It’s pretty amazing, because it’s never happened in our high school history, so that’s a first,” commented head coach Rachel Dow. The prodigal Jordan, much like her impressive regional victory, performed incredibly, placing third, just behind Sitka’s Clare Mullin and Marina Dill. In the end, Jordan’s outlook was high, as both Mullin and Dill are seniors, and therefore will have graduated by her sophomore season.
Shortly after Jordan’s podium finished Juniper Ingalls (9th), soon followed by Katie Van Buskirk (11th), Sadie Haas (12th), Maddie Haas (13th), Lucy Bamford (23rd), and Selah Brueckner (24th), which secured a two-point victory over Sitka. Additionally, they received the Academic Award, earned by the team’s incredible 4.0 average GPA.
To further the significance of the season, the boys’ team qualified for state– the first time since 2019. They were unable to in years past due to a lack of participation, but that has all changed. Freshman Luke Elhard, who placed 13th, highest of any Seahawk boy, is the most notable runner. “It feels really good,” he said. “I’m happy that I get a chance to run, and I’m happy that I have a family that supports me and [that] my team supports me.” The Seward boys placed seventh, 11 points ahead of Monroe Catholic.
In the off-season, Seward cross-country will say goodbye to two seniors, those being Katie Van Buskirk and Tekoa “Wally” Wallace. Wallace has run for Seward for the past two seasons, whereas Van Buskirk has done so for all four years of high school. “Especially now that we’re winning state, like, consistently, helping out my teammates and all working as a team to be able to achieve something,” she defined her experience as.
All photos credit of Mica Van Buskirk.
