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FAIRBANKS — The West Valley High School cross country teams tuned up for this weekend’s regional championship races by sweeping the Salcha Invitational on Friday afternoon.

The Wolfpack handily won the boys title, and edged rival Lathrop for the girls crown.

Led by winner Werner Hoefler, the top five West Valley boys finished in the top 10 as the Wolfpack compiled 22 points to claim the crown. Lathrop was second with 53 points, followed by North Pole with 91, Eielson with 123, Delta Junction with 141, Hutchison with 164, Nenana with 187 and Monroe Catholic with 190.

Lathrop’s Heather Edic captured the girls race, but West Valley had five runners in the top nine as the Wolfpack pulled out a six-point win over the Malemutes. West Valley finished with 29 points, followed by Lathrop with 35, North Pole with 65 and Eielson with 110.

“Things are starting to come together and I’m happy with both teams,” West Valley coach Dan Callahan said. “We’re getting into top shape, times are coming down and we’re looking forward to the regional and state championships.”

Hoefler won the boys race in 16 minutes and 51 seconds. He was 24 seconds ahead of teammate Jacob Remington, who crossed the line in 17:15. Taylor Beardon completed a Wolfpack sweep of the top three spots in 17:19.

North Pole’s Josh Ray finished in 17:25 to take fourth place and Lathrop’s David Norris rounded out the top five in 17:34.

Edic edged North Pole’s Christi Schmitz by seven seconds to claim the girls title. Edic posted a winning time of 19:45 and Schmitz posted a 19:52.

West Valley’s Hannah Boyer and Marisa Rorabaugh took the next two spots with times of 20:19 and 20:29, respectively. Lathrop’s Megan Edic rounded out the top five in 20:32.

“The kids really like this course,” Callahan said. “There are some nice gradual downhills that allow them to post some really good times.”

The regional championships are slated for Saturday at the Birch Hill Recreation Area. An all-schools junior varsity race will be held on Friday at Birch Hill.

Gymnastics

The West Valley gymnastics was in top form Thursday as the Wolfpack swept a high school dual meet against the North Pole Patriots.

The Wolfpack took the top three spots in the all-around competition and won all four individual events.

Senior Dana Morton captured the all-around title with a 32.45 score, while sophomore Emily East placed second in 30.15 and freshman Zoe Wildfeuer was third in 28.30.

Morton posted individual victories on the balance beam and uneven bars. She had a score of 8.55 on the beam and 8.45 on the uneven bars.

Wildfeuer had the top score on the vault with a 7.95 and East won the floor exercise with a score of 8.05

North Pole’s top performers were Taylor Runnion, Kelsey Bellant, Pannika Ellis, Liz Rodgers and Jack Sprewell.

West Valley has a dual meet against Lathrop at 5 p.m. Thursday at Lathrop.