Palmer’s Fischer Adams leads South Anchorage’s Vebjørn Flagstad. Photo by Peter Pounds.
Fischer Adams’ prep cross country career came full circle on Saturday after collecting his first state title on his Palmer home course.
The star-studded senior set the pace at the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Cross Country State Running Championships, covering the 5-kilometer distance in 16-minutes flat.
Adams, who came into the meet with three consecutive wins under his belt, was primed to improve upon his third-place finish from 2021 after injuries limited his performance last fall.
“I tried to keep it all in perspective and realized I wanted to be peaking at the right time,” said Adams.
On paper, he was the favorite. Against Division I competition, he was undefeated. And when the starting gun went off at the Mike Janecek Trails, Adams was readier than ever.
“I’ve been running this course since I was in middle school, so I know it like the back of my hand,” said Adams.
While he kept his cards close to his chest, South Anchorage’s Vebjørn Flagstad was undeterred by Adams’ presence, filing behind the senior for the first lap.
Tobias Buchanan of Colony leads Blake Hanley of West. Photo by Peter Pounds.
Once Adams realized his closest competitors were letting him dictate the pace, he made a surge.
“I was just trying to tell myself ‘chase the biker’ because I didn’t want anyone creeping up on me,” said Adams.
The Palmer High senior never relented, following the lead bike as his gap on the field widened.
“At that point, it’s just you and yourself against everyone else,” said Adams.
Adams continued to push the pace, cresting the hills and hugging the turns as he made his way around the three-loop course. When Adams emerged from the fog on the home stretch, the title was his for the taking, blasting toward the finish line to win by a whopping 42 seconds.
Immediately upon finishing, Adams shared an embrace with his friends and family by the stadium’s chain-linked fence.
“[They’ve] supported me and I just really appreciate them and everything they’ve done to help me get to this point in my career,” said Adams.
Adams’ win is the fifth individual boys title for Palmer High and the first in 21 years, joining Aaron Dickson (’02), Eric Callison (’97) and Norm Rousey (‘89 & ’91).
D1 Boys Top-10 Finishers
1. Fischer Adams, Palmer, 16:00
2. Tobias Buchanan, Colony, 16:43
3. Blake Hanley, West Anchorage, 16:49
4. Elias Litzow, Kodiak, 16:50
5. Blaise Boyer, South Anchorage, 16:57
6. Jarrett Jackson, Dimond, 16:59
7. Owen Hayes, Chugiak, 17:00
8. Vebjørn Flagstad, South Anchorage, 17:01
9. Elias Oswald, Service, 17:03
10. Edgar Vera Alvarado, Juneau-Douglas, 17:04
See complete results here.
While Adams was adding his name to the history books, the South Anchorage Wolverines were making history of their own, achieving just their second boys team title and first since 2005.
The last time the Wolverines won the cross country state title, most of the current team hadn’t been born yet.
Since then, South Anchorage has produced a multitude of strong teams, placing in the top three on four occasions, including a runner-up finish last fall to the Colony Knights.
ASAA Cross Country Running Division I State Champion, South Anchorage Wolverines.
With most of their key players returning from last year, the Wolverines got an early start, logging summer miles and forming a connection beyond the trails.
The tight-knit group started seeing results in late August, reeling off four team wins during the regular season. And while West Anchorage topped the charts at the Cook Inlet Conference Championships, the Wolverines relied on their low-stick performers and dependable depth to pull through with the win when it mattered most.
Senior Blaise Boyer (5th) and sophomore Vebjørn Flagstad (8th) led South Anchorage with a pair of top-ten finishes, before being joined by sophomore Jaxon Henrie (17th), freshman Miles Gastrock (34th) and junior Gus Olson (38th). Senior Rowan Robinson (43rd) and junior Ryan Hansen (46th) rounded out the squad.
The Wolverines captured the title with 83 points — six points ahead of both West Anchorage (89) and Chugiak (89). The tie was broken by the Eagles’ sixth runner, while they also collected the team academic award.
Feature photo by Jaycie Calvert.