Boomchain Loucks has been named as the 2025-2026 Gatorade Alaska Boys Track and Field Player of the Year, becoming the first athlete from Wrangell to capture the honor.
The national program recognizes high school athletes in 12 sports across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Established in 1985, the award is based on athletic achievement, academic performance and character demonstrated through community service and leadership.
Wrangell cross-country assistant coach Laura Davies led the extensive nomination process for Boomchain. The achievement is more noteworthy because Wrangell does not have a school-funded track and field program, requiring Loucks to rely heavily on self-discipline and seasonal cross-country training.
“I think the cool thing is that it speaks to Boomchain’s drive when it’s a sport that requires you to show up and push yourself every single day and put in all that work,” Davies said.
Loucks’ historic high school career culminated during the final weekend of May at the state track and field championships in Anchorage. He swept three distance events: The 3,200-meter, 1,600-meter and 800-meter.
“My freshman year I made goals in health class to be a state champ and get Gatorade cross-country athlete of the year,” Loucks said. “Unfortunately, I did not receive it for cross country in any of those four years. So, to get it for track means so much because it was my last chance to receive those honors.”
“Being from such a small school and beating all the big schools was pretty nice,” he said. “Wrangell’s had some very great athletes throughout the years, so to be the first one to get this means a lot.”
