2026 Wyoming High School Cross Country State Championship Results

Champions Crowned at the 2026 Wyoming State Cross Country Meet in Cheyenne

The favorites delivered on expectations at the 2026 Wyoming High School Cross Country State Championships, braving a chilly October morning with a feels-like temperature of 20 degrees at the Little America Resort course in Cheyenne. While the morning air bit hard across the course, it failed to slow down a roster of runners ready to secure individual crowns, defend titles, and hoist team trophies.

Adalyn Racines and Eli Balkenbush Smash Course Records in 4A

The 4A races produced the day’s fastest marks, highlighted by course records that rewrote the record books. The 4A girls race began with the top three runners from the 4A East Conference meet taking control: Cheyenne East’s Maggie Madsen, Cheyenne Central’s Adalyn Racines, and Laramie’s Dorothy Jensen. Madsen and Racines pulled away after two miles, with Madsen leading and Racines right behind her. Central senior Adalyn Racines kicked at the precise moment, taking control in the final half mile to claim the 4A state title. Racines crossed the finish line in 17:34.5, shattering the previous girls’ course record by almost 43 seconds. Two-time defending champion Maggie Madsen of Cheyenne East finished second in 17:54.8, while Laramie’s Dorothy Jensen placed third at 18:30.7.

Jensen’s third-place finish anchored Laramie’s victory in the 4A girls’ team competition. LHS placed five runners in the top 19 to score 47 team points. Cheyenne Central took second with 70 points, Kelly Walsh finished third with 83, and Cody placed fourth with 103.

2026 Wyoming High School Cross Country State Championship Race Finishes

In the 4A boys’ race, a sophomore showdown between Central’s Cal Bibbey and Sheridan’s Eli Balkenbush shaped the competition. Bibbey pushed the early pace, followed closely by a pack of Sheridan runners. Bibbey and Balkenbush separated themselves after the first mile, with Bibbey leading through two miles and Balkenbush glued to his heels. In the final mile, Balkenbush made his decisive move, passing Bibbey to secure the 4A State Championship in 15:23.9. Balkenbush broke the boys’ course record by nearly 23 seconds. Bibbey finished as the runner-up in 15:40.1, and Sheridan’s Grayson Moore took third in 16:10.7.

Sheridan dominated the 4A boys’ team standings, repeating as state champions with 24 points after placing five runners in the top eight. Jackson finished second with 80 points, Star Valley took third with 135, and Thunder Basin placed fourth with 163.

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Defending Champions Hold the Line in 3A Divisions

Powell senior Karee Cooley defended her crown in the 3A girls’ division. WyoPreps noted that Cooley took an early lead and never relinquished it, capturing a second consecutive title in 18:53.4. Worland’s Ava Tapia finished second at 19:02.3, and Powell’s Anyston Keller took third at 19:58.7. Cooley’s performance spearheaded Powell’s run to the team championship. The Panthers placed five runners in the top 25, scoring 56 points to win by 15 over Worland, which finished second with 71 points. Buffalo took third with 91 points, and Lander placed fourth with 119.

The 3A boys’ race began with Buffalo runners at the front, led by Jace Townsend alongside Rawlins’ Noah Blasi and Mountain View’s Colt Madsen. Townsend controlled the pace until the final half mile, when Mountain View senior Colt Madsen unleashed a powerful kick to win the 3A title in 16:13. Buffalo’s Jace Townsend placed second in 16:24.6, and Noah Blasi came in third at 16:41.6. Mountain View repeated as 3A boys’ team champions with 54 points, placing five runners in the top 26. Buffalo secured second with 75 points, Worland finished third with 84, and Rawlins took fourth with 102.

2026 Wyoming High School Cross Country State Championship Results — Photo: wyomingnewsnow.tv

Marney and Winter Dominate 2A Championships

Big Horn junior Lyla Marney delivered a commanding performance in the 2A girls’ race, winning by nearly two minutes to capture her third straight state championship. Marney ran the course in 18:41.3. Tess Dailey of Sundance finished as the runner-up in 20:39.8, and Lyla’s younger sister, Ella Marney, came in third at 20:44.2. Big Horn claimed the 2A team crown with 17 points, aided by the division’s four-runner scoring format. Saratoga placed second with 33 points, Wyoming Indian took third with 39, and Sundance finished fourth with 62.

In the 2A boys’ race, defending champion Kellen Winters set the early pace and secured his second straight state crown with a time of 16:20.5. Tobyn Teigen of Wright finished second in 16:26.3, and Kaiden Moss of Wyoming Indian placed third in 17:34.4. Moss propelled Wyoming Indian to the team title; the Chiefs placed four runners in the top 14 to score 40 points. Big Horn finished second with 52 points, Saratoga took third with 53, and Burlington placed fourth with 69.