The 1600m Cut at the 2026 Bear Relays
A South Kitsap High School track athlete smiles while competing in the 2026 Bear Relays at Olympia High School. Commercial sports and editorial photography engineered by Russell Moore Photography in Olympia, WA.
Early-season track in the Pacific Northwest is rarely glamorous. When I looked at the schedule for the 2026 Bear Relays at Ingersoll Stadium, I made a tactical decision: skip the sprints, bypass the chaotic infield, and anchor myself to the first turn to document one specific effort—the 1600m.
The lineup was intriguing. With several powerhouse teams making the trip to Olympia that I don't normally have in my viewfinder, the heats were a mystery—aside from knowing Olympia’s Caden Durocher was lacing up his spikes.
The Varsity Duel
The men’s varsity race started with friction. After a delayed gun, the pack entered the first turn—right where my lens was fixed—with a heavy dose of bumping, shoving, and a few choice words.
But the chaos didn't last. By the 400-meter mark, Durocher and freshman phenom Quenton Lanese had violently gapped the field, leaving the rest of the pack to fend for themselves. Lanese tucked into Durocher’s slipstream for most of the race, occasionally popping out to test the pace. In the end, the senior's experience won out. Durocher took the victory in a blistering 4:19.28, with Lanese crossing right on his heels at 4:20.16— a definitive welcome to the high school 1600m. Crossing the line a full 19 seconds ahead of Auburn’s Jordan Conner (3rd), this Olympia duo is going to give the rest of the state absolute fits down the stretch.
Caden Durocher and Quenton Lanese of Olympia High School compete in the 1600m run during the 2026 Bear Relays in Olympia, WA. The runners are captured mid-stride during the outdoor track and field meet. Commercial sports and editorial photography engineered by Russell Moore Photography in Olympia, WA.
The Pack Mentality
Behind the leaders, pack running dictated the race. Even with their standout Isaac Benjamin resting, the South Kitsap boys proved their depth is a weapon. Tye Schmutz and Benson Buck crossed side-by-side in fifth and sixth, followed shortly by teammates Lucas Van She and Devon Papa in tenth and eleventh.
That pack discipline spilled over into the Frosh/Soph heat, where the Wolves executed a clean sweep. Robert Wells, Nolan Butler, and Cole Mausolf went 1-2-3, finishing comfortably ahead of Olympia’s James Levitt, who clocked a gritty 4:48.05 PR.
Three male runners from South Kitsap High School compete in a pack during the 1600m event at the 2026 Bear Relays in Olympia, Washington. The athletes are participating in the distance race to secure positioning for their team during the track and field meet. Commercial sports and editorial photography engineered by Russell Moore Photography in Olympia, WA.
The Youth Movement
Auburn High School runner Kinley Way competes in the freshman and sophomore 1600m race during the 2026 Bear Relays at Olympia High School in Olympia, WA. Way won the race while representing the Auburn track and field team. Commercial sports and editorial photography engineered by Russell Moore Photography in Olympia, WA.
On the women’s side, Olympia’s Carolina Schilter left zero doubt about who controls the pace for the Bears, taking the top spot in the varsity heat. She was followed closely by South Kitsap freshman Tabitha Riley, who threw down a 5:27.59 personal best.
But the real story of the day might just be the incoming freshman class. In the Frosh/Soph race, Auburn’s Kinley Way dictated the terms, taking the win in 5:32.37. Olympia’s Caitlin Lanese made her high school 1600m debut with a 5:44.48 for second, holding off Auburn’s Kisanet Mearafu (5:45.42).
If you’re tracking the math: the top three times in the Frosh/Soph race would have easily placed inside the top ten of the Varsity heat. The youth movement in the PNW is real.
South Kitsap High School freshman Tabitha Riley stands on the track after finishing in second place in the 1600m race. Commercial sports and editorial photography engineered by Russell Moore Photography in Olympia, WA.
