Soldotna junior Tania Boonstra led the Kenai Peninsula at the first day of the state Nordic ski championships at Birch Hill in Fairbanks by taking second in the girls 5-kilometer interval start classic race.

Service freshman Talia Smith won the race at 17 minutes, 10 seconds, while Boonstra finished second at 17:21.

Last season, Boonstra took third in the classic race and sixth in the freestyle race. Boonstra, the three-time Skimeister of Region III, took sixth overall.

A skier from the Kenai Peninsula has never won the state Skimeister award.

Soldotna senior Ariana Cannava also had a breakthrough day, taking sixth at 17:44. That’s the first time Cannava has cracked the top 10 at state.

Soldotna sophomore Kate Cox gave the Stars three in the top 25 by finishing 21st in 18:27.

The top three Division II finishers also are honored at state. Kenai’s Isla Crouse was the top Division II girl, taking 37th overall at 20:03. Monroe Catholic’s Anya Simard was 39th, while Homer’s Cassidy Carroll was 46th in 20:48.

The boys 5K classic race was won by Service sophomore Jack Leveque at 13:33.

Kenai junior Chase Laker led all peninsula finishers, and Division II, by taking 17th at 15:23.0. Homer senior Jody Goodrich was just behind at 18th in 15:23.5 to lead the Mariners and take second for Division II. Homer junior Johannes Bynagle was 37th overall and third in Division II at 16:27.

Soldotna was able to group a pack of skiers just outside the top 20.

Freshman Ollie Dahl was 25th, and the second freshman, at 15:44. Junior Michael Davidson was 29th at 16:14 and senior Noble Cassidy was 31st at 16:20.

The state meet continues Friday, Feb. 21, with 7.5K freestyle races. The girls race at 11 a.m., while the boys race at 1 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 22, the meet concludes with the 4-by-3-kilometer mixed technique relay, with the first two legs classic and the second two legs freestyle. The girls race at 10 a.m., while the boys race at noon.

State Nordic ski championships

Thursday at Birch Hill, Fairbanks

GIRLS

Top 10 5K classic interval start

1. Talia Smith, Ser, 17 minutes, 10 seconds; 2. Tania Boonstra, Sol, 17:21; 3. Merridy Littell, Wes, 17:28; 4. Miya Kam-Magruder, Ser, 17:29; 5. Alise Elliott, Sou, 17:33; 6. Ariana Cannava, Sol, 17:44; 7. Elliot Sensabaugh, Col, 17:52; 8. Rosie Conway, Eas, 17:52; 9. Ellie Abrahamson, WV, 17:57; 10. Elsa Henderson, ER, 17:57.

Other peninsula finishers: 21. Kate Cox, Sol, 18:27; 36. Inga Smith, Sol, 20:00; 37. Isla Crouse, Ken, 20:03; 44. Leanne Gordon, Sol, 20:45; 46. Cassidy Carroll, Hom, 20:48; 49. Indigo Leslie, Sew, 21:02; 53. Ruby Davis, Ken, 21:19; 56. Myra Kalafut, Hom, 21:32; 67. Jaela Marchbanks, Hom, 22:13; 69. Kylie Smith, Sol, 22:19; 73. Teresa Fallon, Ken, 22:41; 77. Katie Van Buskirck, Sew, 22:52; 78. Etta Bynagle, Hom, 22:57; 80. Hannah Klima, Hom, 23:13; 83. Mya Taylor, Ken, 23:40; 84. McKenna Black, Hom, 23:52; 97. Abigail Bishop, Ken, 25:24; 104. Emily Taylor, Ken, 27:05.

BOYS

Top 10 5K classic interval start

1. Jack Leveque, Ser, 13:33; 2. Kieran Kaufman, WV, 14:18; 3. Coby Marvin, Col, 14:21; 4. Gabe Black, Col, 14:27; 5. Ethan Styvar, Sou, 14:35; 6. Finn Lamb, JD, 14:41; 7. Wells Wappett, Lat, 14:50; 8. Nathan Vandelugt, WV, 14:50; 9. Basile Plattet, WV, 14:51; 10. Peter-John Bragonier, WV, 14:52.

Peninsula finishers: 17. Chase Laker, Ken, 15:23.0; 18. Jody Goodrich, Hom, 15:23.5; 25. Ollie Dahl, Sol, 15:44; 29. Michael Davidson, Sol, 16:14; 31. Noble Cassidy, Sol, 16:20; 36. Johannes Bynagle, Hom, 16:27; 42. Rockwell Bates, Hom, 16:41; 44. Parker Richards, Sol, 16:51; 51. Leif Jaworski, Hom, 17:08; 52. Charlie Rustand, Hom, 17:08; 65. Tait Ostrom, Hom, 17:51; 67. Levi Strong, Ken, 17:51; 70. Fletcher Darr, Ken, 18:05; 71. Jacob Ries, Sol, 18:13; 78. Tracker Keller, Sol, 18:37; 83. Oliver Trobaugh, Sew, 19:25; 85. Silvan Krieg, Ken, 19:36; 100. Elijah Pancoast, Ken, 21:02; 103. Elliot Hanson, Ken, 21:28.