WDA runners head to state CC championships

JAMESTOWN -- The final act of the 2025 cross country season will be on Saturday, Oct. 25 with the Class A championships from Parkhurst Recreation Area north of Jamestown. The Western Dakota Association will attempt to continue its dominance at the event in both boys and girls divisions. Bismarck High is the defending boys’ champion while Williston is the reigning girls’ winner. In addition to the team race, several conference runners will be in contention for high finishes and all-state honors. Here’s a look at this week’s state meet. 

What to look for 

1. Dominance by the WDA boys’ teams. A WDA team has won the state title every year since 2004. The grip on the crown has a real good chance of continuing. Defending champion Bismarck High has a number of talented runners led by senior Owen Hintz. 

2. A second title for Century’s Ihmels. Century’s Ruby Ihmels was dominant last season, claiming the individual title. The junior, who is ranked high nationally, is the big-favorite to defend her title. A win would mark the first time a Patriot runner has won back-to-back championships.

 3. Girls’ race should be close. A tie-break was needed to determine last year’s winner. Williston and Bismarck High both finished with 86 points and the position of the sixth runner gave the Coyotes the title. The defending champs are a contender again along with Century, Fargo Davies and Shanley.

 4. How many WDA runners earn all-state honors. Fifteen WDA runners who finished in the top 20 return, but there are several other participants which have a strong shot at cracking the top 20. That list includes: Bismarck High’s Kyler Lorass; Watford City’s Dehico Bocanegra Tovar; Mandan’s Zachary Schanandore and Century’s Hudsen Bullinger in the boys division. And Century’s Briella Bullinger and Jillian Lemer; Legacy’s Kate Woeste and Lauren Woeste; and Williston’s Brenly Vigenss and Finley Ames in the girls’ race. 

Boys Division 

Defending champion: Bismarck High Last year’s WDA finishers: 1. Bismarck High; 2. Williston; 3. Century; 5. Mandan; 8. Minot High; 9. Dickinson; 10. Minot North; 14. Legacy; 17. Jamestown; 18. Watford City; 22. TMCHS Belcourt 

Last year’ WDA all-state finishers: 1. Wil Ihmels, Century, 15:15; 2. Owen Hintz, Bismarck High, 15:22; 3. Dawson Balzer, Bismarck High, 15:51; 4. Connor Ensign, Bismarck High, 15:56; 5. Jakson Ensign, Bismarck High, 16:00; 6. Joe Quinn, G.F. Red River, 16:13; 7. Owen Cowan, Williston, 16:15; 8. Wyatt Adkins, Williston, 16:21; 9. Jacob Windsor, Bismarck High, 16:21; 10. Charles Hale, Mandan, 16:22; 11. Luka Rout, Fargo Davies, 16:25; 12. Jack Elsberry, Century, 16:26; 13. Dallin Chapman, Minot North, 16:26; 14. Caleb Swisher, Dickinson, 16:27; 15. Ethan Erickson, Fargo Shanley, 16:29; 16. Travis Frise, Williston, 16:32; 17. Cohen Dunningan, G.F. Red River, 16:34; 18. Isaac Amundson, West Fargo, 16:35; 19. Elijah Dafoe, G.F. Red River, 16:36; 20. Terry Brownotter, Mandan, 16:36 (WDA returners in bold) 

Final Coaches’ Poll Position: 1. Bismarck High; 2. Fargo Davies; 3. Williston; 4. Century; 5. Fargo Shanley 

Top 10 Individuals: 1. Owen Hintz, Bismarck High; 2. Luka Rout, Fargo Davies; 3. Jacob Windsor, Bismarck High; 4. Kyler Lorass, Bismarck High; 5. Ethan Erickson, Fargo Shanley; 6. Cohen Dunningan, G.F. Red River; 7. Dehico Bocanegra Tovar, Watford City; 8. Zachary Schanandore, Mandan; 9. Travis Frise, Williston; 10. Miles Hanson, Bismarck High 

Girls Division

Defending champion: Williston 

Last year’s WDA finishers: 1. Williston*; 2. Bismarck High; 3. Minot High; 4. Century; 5. Legacy; 9. Dickinson; 11. Mandan; 16. Jamestown; 20. Watford City; 21. TMCHS Belcourt *Won tie-break based on position of sixth runner

Last year’s all-state finishers: 1. Ruby Ihmels, Century, 17:28; 2. Harley Jeannotte, Williston, 18:48; 3. Taya Fettig, Bismarck High, 19:00; 4. Eva Selensky, Legacy, 19:05; 5. Izzy Dahl, Bismarck High, 19:34; 6. Aubrey Kleser, Bismarck High, 19:34; 7. Lucy Harris, Minot High, 19:36; 8. Mattea Green, G.F. Red River, 19:41; 9. Audrey Echelbarger, Century, 19:42; 10. Emmie Fellows, WF Sheyenne, 19:43; 11. Kathryn Madigga, WF Sheyenne, 19:43; 12. Maggie Jacobson, West Fargo, 19:43; 13. Hannah Hintz, Bismarck High, 19:46; 14. Leila Gregoire, Dickinson, 19:47; 15. Kaylee Jackson, Minot High, 19:51; 16. Alyviah Kopp, Minot High, 19:52; 17. Cambree Moss, Williston, 19:53; 18. Ava Parks, G.F. Red River, 19:57; 19. Sophia Lade, Minot High, 19:57; 20. Angela Wold, Williston, 20:02 (WDA returners in bold)

 Final Coaches’ Poll Position: 1. Century; 2. Williston; 3. Fargo Davies; 4. Fargo Shanley; 5. G.F. Red River

 Top 10 Individuals: 1. Ruby Ihmels, Century; 2. Mykenna Johnson, Fargo Shanley; 3. Harley Jeannotte, Williston; 4. Cambree Moss, Williston; 5. Emmie Fellows, WF Sheyenne; 6. Peyton Thompson, G.F. Red River; 7. Kathryn Madigga, WF Sheyenne; 8. Briella Bullinger, Century; 9. Lucy Grothman, Fargo Shanley; 10. Brooklyn Johnson, Devils Lake

 This and that: The races will be livestreamed on WDAY +...Jamestown’s Parkhurst Recreation Area has hosted the last five state championships (last non-Jamestown host was Minot in 2019).

Photo: Ruby Ihmels, Century