The Ultimate Guide to the Washington State 4A 1,600m Championships: Records, Rankings, and Race Previews
As the Washington State track and field season reaches its climax, all eyes turn toward the 4A 1,600m championships. The metric mile consistently delivers some of the most dramatic, tactical racing of the WIAA post-season. This year’s field is absolutely loaded with nationally ranked talent, fierce local rivalries, and freshmen ready to disrupt the status quo.
Whether you are scouting the competition or just looking for the athletes to watch heading into the bell lap, here is your definitive breakdown of the all-time records, current 2026 leaderboards, and an expert preview of the impending state showdown.
Chasing History: Washington State 1,600m All-Time Records
To understand the caliber of today's runners, we have to look at the legends who set the benchmark. The following marks represent the fastest 1,600m times in Washington state history, both overall and specifically within the 4A classification.
| Category | Athlete | High School | Time | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Boys | Owen Powell | Mercer Island | 4:03.68 | 2025 |
| 4A Boys | Carl Moe | Auburn Riverside | 4:05.09 | 2003 |
| Overall Girls & 4A | Alexa Efraimson | Camas | 4:33.29 | 2014 |
2026 Season Leaderboards: The Top 5 Contenders
Heading into the state championship series, these are the athletes setting the pace. Times are based on the latest premier invitational and twilight meet results.
Elite Girls 1,600m Rankings
| Rank | Athlete | Grade | School | Time | Defining Meet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aubrey Wilems | 10 | Eastlake | 4:49.76 | South Sound Classic |
| 2 | Latham West | 12 | Bonney Lake | 4:51.01 | South Sound Classic |
| 3 | Callie Orcutt | 9 | West Valley (Yakima) | 4:55.44 | Eason Invitational |
| 4 | Amelia Wray | 11 | North Creek | 4:55.63 | Eason Invitational |
| 5 | Ella Koch | 12 | Union | 4:57.96 | Union at Battle Ground |
Elite Boys 1,600m Rankings
| Rank | Athlete | Grade | School | Time | Defining Meet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cohen Butler | 12 | Camas | 4:07.47 | Nike/Jesuit Twilight |
| 2 | Amin Fidaar | 12 | Rogers (Puyallup) | 4:09.38 | South Sound Classic |
| 3 | Quenton Lanese | 9 | Olympia | 4:09.65 | South Sound Classic |
| 4 | Caden Durocher | 12 | Olympia | 4:09.73 | South Sound Classic |
| 5 | Isaac Benjamin | 12 | South Kitsap | 4:10.73 | Nike/Jesuit Twilight |
4A State Championship Outlook: Who Takes the Crown?
Girls’ Preview: A Battle of Experience and Surging Youth
Aubrey Wilems of Eastlake competes in the running event at the South Sound Classic. Wilems is a top contender heading into the 2026 WIAA State Track and Field Championships at Mt Tahoma High School in Tacoma, WA. Photographed by Russell Moore.
Latham West of Bonney Lake High School competes in the distance running event at the South Sound Classic. West is a top contender heading into the 2026 WIAA State Track and Field Championships at Mt Tahoma High School in Tacoma, WA. Photographed by Russell Moore.
The race for the 4A girls' state title is shaping up to be a phenomenal three-way tactical battle between Aubrey Wilems, Latham West, and Ella Koch.
Wilems and West have built one of the most compelling rivalries in the Pacific Northwest this season, frequently trading victories. Most recently, Wilems seized the gold at the South Sound Classic, though West’s runner-up finish was still blistering enough to shatter the previous meet record.
Ella Koch and Sara Thompson of Union High School share an embrace after a first and second place finish at the Jesuit Twilight Relays. Koch and Thompson are top contenders heading into the 2026 WIAA State Track and Field Championships at Mt Tahoma High School in Tacoma, WA. Photographed by Russell Moore.
Meanwhile, Ella Koch brings undeniable momentum into the post-season, boasting an undefeated streak across the 800m, 1,500m, and 1,600m distances this year. Koch’s secret weapon may be her teammate, Sara Thompson; the two consistently feed off each other's energy to push the pace. For those looking for dark horse contenders, keep an eye on freshman Callie Orcutt, who is making a massive name for herself early, and Amelia Wray, fresh off a dominant 800m/1,600m double victory at the Mt Tahoma Track Festival.
Amelia Wray of North Creek competes in the 1600m at the Mt Tahoma Track Festival. Wray is a top contender heading into the 2026 WIAA State Track and Field Championships at Mt Tahoma High School in Tacoma, WA. Photographed by Russell Moore.
Callie Orcutt of West Valley competes in the track event at the South Sound Classic. Orcutt is a top contender heading into the 2026 WIAA State Track and Field Championships at Mt Tahoma High School in Tacoma, WA. Photographed by Russell Moore.
Boys’ Preview: Nationally Ranked Talent and Tactical Showdowns
Cohen Butler of Camas competes in the distance event at the South Sound Classic. Butler is a top contender heading into the 2026 WIAA State Track and Field Championships at Mt Tahoma High School in Tacoma, WA. Photographed by Russell Moore.
Amin Fidaar of Rogers leading the pack at the South Sound Classic. Fidaar is a top contender heading into the 2026 WIAA State Track and Field Championships at Mt Tahoma High School in Tacoma, WA. Photographed by Russell Moore.
The 4A boys' field is so deeply saturated with national-caliber talent that spectators should anticipate a tight, congested pack leading into an absolute nail-biter over the final 200 meters.
Camas senior Cohen Butler enters as the definitive top seed. Carrying a seasonal best nearly two seconds clear of the field—a mark earned while trading strides with elite national runners in Portland—he holds a distinct on-paper advantage.
Quenton Lanese and Caden Durocher of Olympia High School compete in a distance race at a past track meet. Lanese and Durocher are top contenders heading into the 2026 WIAA State Track and Field Championships at Mt Tahoma High School in Tacoma, WA. Photographed by Russell Moore.
However, Butler faces a grueling test from Amin Fidaar, easily one of the fastest-rising talents in the region, alongside the formidable hometown Olympia High School duo of Quenton Lanese and Caden Durocher. Watching Lanese—a freshman possessing the tactical composure of a seasoned veteran—navigate the pack alongside Durocher's established leadership is going to be a phenomenal story to capture through the lens trackside. Add South Kitsap's Isaac Benjamin to the mix, a runner highly capable of aggressively pushing the early pace, and this race has all the ingredients of an instant classic.
Isaac Benjamin of South Kitsap competes in the 1600m race at the South Sound Classic. Benjamin is a top contender heading into the 2026 WIAA State Track and Field Championships at Mt Tahoma High School in Tacoma, WA. Photographed by Russell Moore.
Do not miss a single frame. Establish a secure link to receive instant notifications the second new WIAA State Championship galleries and editorial previews are decrypted and pushed to the grid.
INITIALIZE COMMS LINK
