WyoPreps 2026 Cross Country State Championship Outlook

The 2026 Wyoming High School Cross Country State Championships will be in Cheyenne for the fourth straight year. Runners will race on the Little America Golf Course for the third consecutive year. Four individual defending champions return from 2025. Two divisions will crown a new champion on Saturday.

WYOPREPS CROSS COUNTRY STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 OUTLOOK

In Class 2A, eight of last year’s top 10 finishers return to this year’s girls’ field. Lyla Marney of Big Horn seeks a 3-peat. In boys, Kellen Winters returns to defend his 2025 crown. Half of last year’s top ten are back in Saturday’s race.

In 3A, five of last year’s top ten in the girls’ division return for the 2026 state championship. Defending champion Karee Cooley goes for her second consecutive title. The boys’ field features five runners returning from 2025’s top ten finishers. Mountain View’s Colt Madsen, Buffalo’s Jace Townsend, and Rawlins’ Noah Blasi are contenders.

Seven of last year’s top 10 4A girls are back to compete in the 2026 championship race. Maggie Madsen from Cheyenne East is seeking a third title in a row. Only three of the top ten runners are back on the boys’ side. Sheridan’s Eli Balkenbush and Central’s Cal Bibbey are the favorites for the top spot.

The course records at Little America Golf Course were established in the last two state championships. Maggie Madsen of Cheyenne East ran 18:17.63 for the girls’ record last year. Jase Burton of Star Valley ran 15:46.6 for the boys’ record two years ago.

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Race Start Times for Each Division and Defending Champions

Here is a look at the start time for this year’s championships in Cheyenne, plus the returning individual and team champions. The final results will be featured in a separate story on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.

2A Girls – 11:00 a.m.

Defending Team Champion = Big Horn (seeking a 2nd in a row)

Defending Individual Champion = Lyla Marney, Big Horn (going for 3 straight)

2A Boys – 12:30 p.m.

Defending Team Champion = Burlington (trying to repeat)

Defending Individual Champion = Kellen Winters, Burlington (looking for 2 in a row)

3A Girls – 10:30 a.m.

Defending Team Champion = new team (previous winner now in 4A)

Defending Individual Champion = Karee Cooley, Powell (seeking a repeat)

3A Boys – Noon

Defending Team Champion = Mountain View (trying to repeat)

Defending Individual Champion = none (there will be a new champion)