09/13/2026
“The boys team placed 2nd behind class 2025 4A state runner up Andale . 24 full teams competed in one the premier meets of the season for class 4A. The defending state champs Wamego was 3rd behind the Viking thinclads. Wamego has been the site for the state championships since 1964.
The boys were led by Donte Barnaby, placing 3rd at 16:57.47 among the 190 runners entered. Noah Jennings and Korban Benavides crossed in 10th and 13th at 17:19.64 and 17:25.21. Out top three runners all had career best efforts. Running 4th and 5th for Winfield was Parker Riley and Brant Myers at 29th and 31st with clockings of 18:21.26 and 18:23.43. Both were personal best at this course and great efforts for the second meet of the season. All our top five medalled in the meet. Freshman Oliver Merritt broke his personal best by 50 seconds breaking 19 min with 18:59.80 placing 48th. Rounding out the Viking efforts were a couple more freshmen in varsity competition as Wyatt Keesey and Rylan Rickert clocked in at 20:38 and 20:40 for 96th and 100th .
The girls team placed a respectable 8th among the 16 full teams competing. Noelle Youle led the charge, nearly making the top ten placing 11th with a personal best of 21:08.73. Evanni Chalmers also made the medal count taking 22nd at 21:38.71. Haylie Turner placed 41st at 22:53.48. Freshman Layla Sears and Kaydance Hedges made their debut in the 5,000 meter race in their first varsity race, taking 74th and 103rd with marks of 24:28 and 26:18. 171 runners competed in the race.
Next meet of the season will be next Thursday at the Buhler Invitational.”