Williston, Century expected to set the pace for WDA teams this girls' CC season

BISMARCK -- The Western Dakota Association is expected to continue its recent dominance in girls’ cross country. The conference has won six-consecutive state titles and two-time defending champion Williston will be a serious contender to win another crown. The Coyotes have five titles over the past six years. The conference has several talented runners returning, none bigger than Ruby Ihmels. The Bismarck Century senior is the two-time defending champion and looking to become the first Class A runner to win three-straight championships since Jamestown’s Meghan Ford (2018-20). Ten other runners, who earned all-state honors, return, including four-time all-state finisher Cambree Moss of Williston. The Patriots are also expected to be in the hunt for another top finish. The program has won the past two WDA championships to go along with state runner-up honors to Williston in 2025. Bismarck High also has some fast runners back and should in the mix for high finishes come the postseason. The 48th season of WDA-sponsored competition will be the first for Minot North as an independent program. The new school was competing as part of Minot High’s squad. This year’s conference championship will be hosted by Bismarck Public Schools at McDowell Dam, east of Bismarck on Oct. 10. The Class A championships are Oct. 24 in Jamestown. Bismarck High Key returners: Izzy Dahl, Sr.; (All-state; All-WDA); Nora Traynor, Sr. (All-state, All-WDA); Hannah Hintz, So. (All-WDA, All-state) Ready to break through: H. Hintz. Century Key returners: Ruby Ihmels, Sr. (All-state, All-WDA); Audrey Echelbarger, So. (All-state, All-WDA; Julia Simmers, So. (All-state, All-WDA; Vivian Backer, Sr. Ready to break through: Briella Bullinger, Fr. (All-WDA); Izabella Bergquist, Fr. (All-WDA) Dickinson Key returners: Abby Praus, Sr.; Claire Wood, Sr. Ready to break through: A. Praus Jamestown Key returners: Layna Hoffner, Sr. (All-State, All-WDA); Marcella Maus, 8th; Tristan Champagne, So. Ready to break through: Hattie Fitzgerald, Fr.; Khloe Miller, Fr.; Flynn Wiley, Fr. Legacy Key returners: Kate Woeste, Fr. (All-WDA); Ella Selensky, Jr.; Kailyn Malhum, So.; Grace Renner, So. Ready to break through: McKenna Axt; Fr.; Adilie Worrel, Fr. Mandan Key returners: Hayva Weisbeck, 8th (All-WDA); Reagan Grubb, Sr.; Adrianna Kautzman, Sr.; Ava Rerick, Sr.; Ambry Weisbeck, Jr.; Ellie Dockter, 11th; Mailey Myhre, 11th; Hannah Berreth, So.; Macey Grubb, Fr. Ready to break through: Katrina Peterchuk, 8th; Malena Olson, So. Minot High Key returners: Kaylee Jackson, Jr. (All-state, All-WDA); Sopha Lade, Sr. (All-state, All-WDA); Kamryn Louser, Fr. Ready to break through: S. Lade, K. Louser Minot North Key returner: Alyviah Kopp, Jr. Noteworthy: This will be the first season the Sentinels field their own varsity team. TMCHS Belcourt Key returners Aysha Morin, So.; Autumn Trottier, So. Ready to break through: A. Trottier Watford City Key returners: Tylee Thorne, So.; Eden Ybarra, So.; Brooklynn Spotted Bear, So.; Tynlee Fahrman; Philly McCoy, Fr. Ready to break through: Camryn Wagenecht, 7th Williston Key returners: Harley Jeannote, Jr. (All-state, All-WDA; Cambree Moss, Sr. (All-state, All-WDA; Brenly Vigness, So. (All-state, All-WDA; Finley Ames, So. (All-state, All-WDA) Ready to break through: Sylvia Ditch, 8th; Kynslie McCoy, 7th