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Century High Swept WDA Cross-Country Titles

Century High School secured both the boys and girls team championships at the recent WDA cross-country meet.

Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Running

Expressive sports illustration showing a group of cross-country runners in motion on a dirt trail, evoking team victory.
Century High School claimed both the boys and girls team titles at the WDA cross-country championships held at McDowell Dam Recreation Area. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Century High School dominated the WDA cross-country championships at the McDowell Dam Recreation Area, claiming both the boys and girls team titles. Individual champions Hudsen Bullinger and Ruby Ihmels led the charge for their respective teams.

Why it matters

The team sweep demonstrates Century's depth in local distance running, as both squads relied on strong individual performances to secure victory. The results set the stage for qualifying athletes to compete in the upcoming state meet.

Ruby Ihmels finished in 16 minutes and 45 seconds, beating the 2016 course record by 35 seconds. Hudsen Bullinger finished the boys race in under 16 minutes to claim his individual title.

The players

Century High School

This is a secondary school that maintains a competitive cross-country program within the Western Dakota Association.

Hudsen Bullinger

He is a student-athlete who won the individual boys title at the 2026 WDA cross-country championship.

Ruby Ihmels

She is a student-athlete who secured her third consecutive individual WDA cross-country title.

Hayva Weisback

She is a student-athlete who finished second in the girls race at the WDA meet.

Cambree Moss

She is a student-athlete who finished third in the girls race at the WDA meet.

The details

Century secured their team titles through consistent top-tier placements, with five boys and four girls finishing in the top 10 of their respective races. Hayva Weisback and Cambree Moss added to the girls team total by finishing second and third, respectively.

Timeline

  1. The WDA cross country championships occurred on October 10, 2026.

  2. The previous course record was established in 2016.

  3. Century last won the boys team title in 2020.

  4. The state cross country meet is scheduled for October 24, 2026.

Season Trajectory

Century's dominant team performance establishes them as a front-runner for the upcoming state meet on October 24. Their collective depth suggests they will be a significant factor in the team standings at the state championship level.

Century's performance secures their advancement to the state meet, significantly impacting the qualifying field from the WDA region. The team's depth, with nine total top-10 finishers, positions them as a top contender for state team titles.

The takeaway

Consistent top-10 finishes remain the most reliable path to securing team titles in high-level cross-country competition. Athletes looking to improve their standing should focus on training for pace consistency to challenge established course records.

What happens next

Qualifying runners from the WDA championship are scheduled to compete in the state cross country meet on October 24, 2026.

Further reading

For more news on local athletic events, visit Running.

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