A long sprinter from Skagway High School qualified to compete at the state meet in Anchorage this weekend. He’ll be escorted by the team’s new coach. KHNS reporter Melinda Munson watched part of a practice to see the pair in action.
Coach Kortney Rupprecht: “Kick! Go, Go, Go, Go!”
(Feet on pavement.)
That’s the sound of two Skagway High School sprinters finishing a 400 meter race. They’re running down Main Street, because the track team doesn’t have a track.
During practice, runners occasionally move aside and wait for a car to pass. The road is spray painted with lines to simulate distances.
Sophomore Brenden Moncibiaz ran on a track for the first time at the Region V meet in Ketchikan.
“It’s a lot better than running on the asphalt,” Moncibiaz says. “It’s a lot better on your shins and stuff, on your legs. It doesn’t hurt as much. You’re also faster on it because you get more grip.”
Moncibaiz is pretty fast. The first-year runner qualified for the state championship for the 400 meter. He had only practiced it twice before regionals.
Track Coach Kortney Rupprecht is also new to the sport. She has coached junior high cross country since 2020. Last year, she started coaching junior high track. This year, she also took on the high school team
“I had never participated in track in high school because I grew up here, and track didn’t exist for all the years that I was in school,” Rupprecht says. “But I did do cross country. So, when I started track last year with junior high, I basically just looked at YouTube videos and tried the best that I could.”
Most high school track teams have two coaches, so Rupprecht enlisted help. Physical education teacher Kendra Guilliams assisted with the shot put and discus. Teacher Cody Burnham took long distance runners out once a week. Rupprecht’s husband, Shane, helped with sprinting, shot put and discus on his days off.
Rupprecht says other high school coaches have been a valuable resource.
“All of the coaches in Southeast have taken us under their wing,” she says. “And they’ve pulled my kids aside at each of the meets to give them tips and pointers on the different things they’re competing in. Because I was very honest at the first meet that I don’t have a background in track. I’m only coaching because there was no other coach. And so they’ve all been really, really supportive. It’s been really beautiful to watch, actually.”
After competing at regionals, the seven-member track team was delayed because of mechanical problems with their plane. Instead of flying, they made the two-day ferry journey home.
On the Kennicott, the team held their awards ceremony, since their season didn’t end in time for the school ceremony.
Brenden Moncibaiz earned Most Valuable Player. He’s competing this weekend at states in his first pair of track shoes with spikes.
Sam Munson was named team captain. Rupprecht says his attitude is quote, “like a good pair of running shoes—supportive and reliable.”
Mina Yee was given the honor of Most Improved. Rupprecht says despite a sore knee, Yee shaved nearly a minute off her mile.
Rupprecht plans to coach high school cross country and track next year.
