UAF’s Rosie Fordham & Kendall Kramer run stride for stride at Kincaid Park. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
Ten months after finishing 1-2 at the GNAC conference meet at Kincaid Park, UAF’s Kendall Kramer and Rosie Fordham were back in action on the same course, impressively with identical places and paces.
Kramer covered the six-kilometer course in 20 minutes, 42 seconds to secure the victory and lead the Nanooks to the team win, outdueling the Seawolves 26-29.
With temperatures in the 50s accompanied by light rain, the conditions at Kincaid Park presented an optimal setting for fast times and competition.
After the starting gun sounded, the field roared to life before dispersing along the verdant ski trails throughout the two-loop course.
Coming through the first lap, Kramer and Fordham were shoulder-to-shoulder and just ahead of UAA’s Nell Baker. The trio of runners represent three of the top five from last season’s conference race, with no one giving up an inch going into the second half of the race.
“It was really comfortable for the first 2K,” said Kramer. “And then Rosie (Fordham) and I started amping it up.”
The Nanook duo eventually pulled ahead of Baker after the 3-kilometer mark, while Kramer took the lead for good before entering the stadium. The senior powered up the final hill en route to the finish line to secure her first victory of the season in 20:42 — a sizzling 5:33 per mile — and seventh win of her storied collegiate career.
Fordham placed runner-up just 13 seconds back to dip under the 21-minute barrier for the fourth time in her career.
UAA and UAF runners jostle for position at the start of the Seawolf Throwdown. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
To put the times into perspective, Fordham’s time matched her performance from the conference meet while Kramer’s was four seconds quicker than her previous course record. Intentional or not, the pair made a statement to kickoff the season.
“I’m gonna admit, that was really hard,” said Kramer. “I wanted to feel good the whole time until it was time to ‘finish it out’ and then I was going to sprint-in-pain-mode. I think that I did accomplish that.”
While the Kramer and Fordham finished 1-2, the Nanooks placed all five scorers in the top 10 to edge UAA by three points.
As for the rest of the season, Kramer has high goals for the team which is comprised of nine newcomers and a handful of returners, five of which have West Regional experience.
“We added a ton of new people onto the team, so that’s going to benefit us a lot,” said Kramer. “That’s going to ‘up’ the back half of our scoring team.”
Last season, UAF narrowly missed qualifying for nationals as a team after taking fifth at West Regionals and third at GNAC.
But this year Kramer hopes to continue making history, as the GNAC preseason coaches poll predict the ‘Nooks will place runner-up this year.
“We’re honored for that ranking and we’re going to uphold that or better,” said Kramer.
With Kramer and Fordham battling up front, UAA’s Nell Baker held her own against the region’s and conference’s defending champion, finishing third in 21:32.
Baker, a graduate student, hails from Washington and spent her first three years competing for the University of Idaho before transferring to UAA. The former Division I athlete made an immediate impact on the program, racking up four top-5 finishes at conference meets across cross country and track and field, including an All-Region finish last fall.
UAA’s Nell Baker competes at Kincaid Park. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
Baker’s time on Saturday was only 14 seconds shy of her mark from last season’s conference meet on the same course.
Behind Baker, UAA placed all five scorers in the top 9, with Haines’ Avery Williamson (22:48) and Mallory McCarter (23:57) setting significant personal bests, but it was not enough to dethrone the Nanooks.
With another opportunity to face the ‘Nooks in two weeks, the green and gold are sure to put up another close challenge.
UAA will rematch UAF on September 14th at the Blue/Gold Meet in Fairbanks.
Women’s Top 10
- Kendall Kramer, UAF, 20:42
- Rosie Fordham, UAF, 20:55
- Nell Baker, UAA, 21:32
- Alex Otto, UAA, 22:34
- Tabitha Williams, UAF, 22:40
- Avery Williamson, UAA, 22:48
- Lilli Lindner, UAA, 22:49
- Lucca Duke, UAF, 22:58
- Mallory McCarter, UAA, 23:26
- Teegan Silva, UAF, 23:32
Full results here.
