Race for WDA boys' CC crown will be up for grabs

BISMARCK -- The dominant WDA boys’ cross country program in each of the last three seasons has been Bismarck High. However, this season several teams are poised to wrestle away the Demons' hold on the crown. Williston was runner-up to BHS in the conference meet and was third at the Class A Meet. The squad lost some key runners to graduation, but do have a pair of all-state runners returning. Century features a group that includes a pair of all-staters and two more runners who earned all-WDA accolades. The Pats were third at the conference meet and fourth at state. The team which could make the biggest jump is Mandan. The Braves return a trio of all-WDA finishers on a team that was sixth at the Class A meet. Bismarck High is still Bismarck High. The Demons are a well-coached squad that will show improvement leading to the postseason races. Also keep an eye on Legacy. They return an all-conference runner and a few others poised to break out. While other conference teams may not boast the depth in talent as others, several still have some standout runners who will vie for all-conference all-state honors. A WDA team has won every state title since 2004, but continuing that streak will get seriously tested this fall. Last year's runner-up Fargo Davies is ranked first in the preseason coaches poll and returns a lineup featuring four runners ranked in the top 10 in the preseason poll. One thing is certain, there will be a new WDA individual champion. Last year’s winner Owen Hintz of BHS has graduated. There are a handful of runners who could win the title. Among them is Century junior Hudsen Bullinger, the highest returning state finish from 2025 (3rd). Watford City senior Dehico Bocanegra; Williston junior Travis Frise; Century's Jack Elsberry, Jr.; Bismarck High Miles Hanson, So.; and Williston's Tyler Asprey, Jr.; are coming of big seasons. And there could be some others who emerge. The 55th season of WDA-sponsored cross country will get underway this month. The WDA championships return to McDowell Dam, east of Bismarck on Oct. 10. Bismarck Public Schools is the host. The Class A race is at Parkhurst Recreation Area north of Jamestown, Oct. 24. Bismarck High Key returners: Tucker Brown, Sr.; Cooper Eberle, Jr.; McKale Askvig, Jr.; Miles Hanson, So. (All-state, All-WDA) Ready to break through: C. Eberle, Jr. Bismarck Century Key returners: Hudsen Bullinger, Jr. (All-state, All-WDA); Jack Elsberry, Jr. (All-state, All-WDA); Hayden Anderson, Jr. (All-WDA); Eli Eberts, Jr.; Quinn Neset, Jr. (All-WDA) Ready to break through: Bracston Kaufman Dickinson Key returners: Kaleb Binstock, Sr. (All-WDA); Jason Jones, So. Jamestown Key returners: Tristan Champagne, So.; Heath Heupel, Sr. Ready to break through: Lynn Wiley, Fr. Legacy Key returners: Noah Burke, Jr.; Chance Wetzel, Jr.; Lucien Horner, Sr., (All-WDA); Easton Deede, So.; Deandre Brunelle, Jr. Ready to break through: Asher Mehlhoff, So. Mandan Key returners: Zachary Schanandore, Sr. (All-WDA); Jack Sayler, Sr.; Austin Helbling, Jr. (All-WDA); Ready to break through: Yates White Buffalo, Fr. (All-WDA); Torin Dockter, Jr. Minot High Key returners: Xavier Oswald, Sr.; Beckett Fogarty, So.; Toby Klingbeil, So.; Owen Skjervem, Fr. Ready to break through: B. Fogarty Minot North Key returner: Jon Folk, Sr. TMCHS Belcourt Key returner: Carter Azure, Jr. Watford City Key returners: Dehico Bocanegra, Sr. (All-state, All-WDA); Jace Langerud, So. Williston Key returners: Travis Frise, Jr. (All-state, All-WDA); Tyler Asprey, Sr. (All-state, All-WDA) Ready to break through: Cooper Ames, Sr.; Ryland Zander, Sr.; Maddock Tolman, So.; Cohen Egerman, So.; Blaine Harrington, So.