March 17, 2008 (Anchorage, Alaska) – Coming into the final event of the 2008 Junior National Championships, New England trailed Alaska by 185 points in the overall standings. It was going to take absolute dominance in Saturday’s team relay event for New England to close that gap and move ahead.

Despite a strong start with the New England girls taking the J2 relay, Alaska’s depth proved to be too much as the J1 Boys relay saw two Alaskan teams on the podium. In the end Alaska finished the week with a 360-point lead over second place New England, taking the Alaska Cup back after a 5-year drought.

In total Alaska, New England and Intermountain combined to win 15 of the 18 medals available in the team relay. Alaskan athletes and teams won 28 of the available 72 medals at this week’s championships that included 12 of 24 gold medals up for grabs.

In a week where weather threatened to be the big story, it was the great performances turned in by America’s best junior racers that stole the show. Thanks to the countless hours by the NSAA (Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage) volunteers and a little help from Mother Nature this years Junior Nationals Championships were a huge success.

Final Standings

1. Alaska 1,604 points
2. New England 1,344
3. Intermountain 1,098
4. Midwest 712
5. Rocky Mountain 507
6. Pacific Northwest 260
7. Mid-Atlantic 215
8. Far West 180
9. High Plains 121
10. Great Lakes 118

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