Alaska’s two collegiate cross country teams met again on the trails, this time on the UAF Ski Trails at the Blue and Gold Meet.

UAF’s Rosie Fordham led the Nanooks to their second-consecutive victory this season after sweeping the top three spots and covering the six-kilometer course in 21 minutes, 59 seconds. UAA’s Zach Grams celebrated his inaugural career win on the eight-kilometer course, clocking 25:46 and helping the Seawolves secure their first team victory of the season.

After a relatively close team race two weeks ago, the Nanooks relied on a strong showing up front to ward off any challengers on the hilly, meandering route.

Like clockwork, UAF’s Kendall Kramer and Rosie Fordham took their anticipated positions at the front, running stride-for-stride throughout the two-loop course and pushing one another on the singletrack trail portions.

But it was Fordham who edged the former West Valley star by one second, securing her third career victory and first of the season in 21:59.

The duo was joined by teammate Katharine Brigham (23:21) to sweep the top three spots, while UAA’s Ryann Smith (23:36) was the top finisher in fourth for the Seawolves. Brigham and Smith, two transfers from Division 1 schools — Colorado and Wyoming — made their respective debuts for the Nanooks and Seawolves and are sure to become instrumental players as the season progresses.

By placing all five scorers in the top 8, the Nanooks captured the team victory over the Seawolves 19-37.

Women’s Top 10

1. Rosie Fordham, UAF, 21:59
2. Kendall Kramer, UAF, 22:00
3. Katherine Brigham, UAF, 23:21
4. Ryann Smith, UAA, 23:36
5. Lucca Duke, UAF, 23:47
6. Lilli Lindner, UAA, 23:51
7. Avery Williamson, UAA, 23:54
8. Tabitha Williams, UAF, 23:59
9. Makendra McCarty, UAA, 24:00
10. Teegan Silva, UAF, 24:12

Full results here.

In the men’s race, UAA’s Zach Grams narrowly edged teammate John Peckham to earn his first career victory.

Grams, a graduate transfer from Portland State, covered the eight-kilometer course in 25:46 to win by one second — identical to the margin of victory in the women’s race. After placing third in the Seawolf Throwdown, Grams trimmed 37 seconds from his season-best while successfully navigating the undulating course.

Behind Grams and Peckham was UAF’s Ben Dohlby who clocked a personal-best of 26:06. UAA’s Ty Elliott placed fourth (26:12) in his first race of the season, while UAF’s Derk Lyford (26:17) rounded out the top five, collecting a 72-second personal best in the process.

The Seawolves placed all five scorers inside the top 7 to outduel the Nanooks 20-37, avenging themselves after a rare loss to the ‘Nooks just two weeks ago.

Both UAA and UAF will head south for their next race, competing at the Bill Roe Classic hosted by Western Washington on Sept. 28.

Men’s Top 10

1. Zach Grams, UAA, 25:46
2. John Peckham, UAA, 25:47
3. Ben Dohlby, UAF, 26:06
4. Ty Elliott, UAA, 26:12
5. Derk Lyford, UAF, 26:17
6. Sam Roy, UAA, 26:19
7. Patrick Doty, UAA, 26:36
8. Benjamin Browning, UAF, 26:43
9. Matt Rongitsch, UAA, 26:51
10. Finn Morley, UAF, 27:08

Full results here.