Washington State XC — Documentary Coverage
WIAA State XC
Championships 2026
- Event
- WIAA State Cross Country Championships — High School Cross Country
- Date
- Location
- Sun Willows Golf Course, Pasco, Washington
- Schedule
- Opening ceremonies 8:45 AM · races 9:00 AM–3:00 PM Pacific
- Parking
- Limited, first come first served; overflow at Columbia Basin College
- Photographer
- Russell Moore — Editorial sports photographer, Pacific Northwest
- Services
- Editorial documentary + free social-ready crops for athletes, teams, and families
Notice of Operations — 2026 Season
The lens follows the race,
not the roster.
I don't shoot volume galleries anymore. No 2,000-frame dumps, no bib-searchable archives, no guarantee that every runner crosses my frame. That model produced a lot of files and very few photographs worth keeping.
What I shoot now is the meet itself — editorial documentary coverage of Washington high school cross country, free-range, for the culture. The leader committing at the hairpin. The freshman closing on tired legs. The chute at the moment form gives out. I go where the story goes, and the story doesn't check start lists.
The documentary photo gallery from State will be a curated set of selects. Your athlete might be in it. That's the honest deal — and at this meet, it's the only deal. No commissions, no priority channel. Everyone gets the same lens.
- EditorialCoverage follows the narrative of the race — no roster obligations.
- CuratedA tight set of selects, not a volume archive. Every frame earns its place.
- FreeSocial-ready crops from the State gallery are free for athletes, teams, and families — post and share with credit.
Guaranteed Coverage — Not Offered at State
Commissions are paused for this meet. Eleven classification races on one course in a single day — a private shooting plan here would be a promise I can't keep, so I don't sell it. Guaranteed Coverage commissions are available at regular-season and league/district meets, where I can actually deliver the contract.
Race Day — Saturday, Nov 7
Thirteen Races,
One Day
Sun Willows Golf Course, Pasco. Eleven classification races plus wheelchair and ambulatory/unified divisions. Individual awards are handed out right after each race; team trophies follow each classification. Schedule subject to change.
Saturday · Nov 7
Pacific time- 8:30 AMCourse open for runners until 9:15 AM
- 8:45 AMOpening ceremonies · awards area
- 9:00 AMRaces begin · Wheelchair
- 9:30 AM1B/2B Girls
- 10:00 AM1A Girls
- 10:30 AM2A Girls
- 11:00 AM1B Boys
- 11:30 AM2B Boys
- 12:00 PM1A Boys
- 12:30 PM2A Boys
- 1:00 PM3A Girls
- 1:30 PM4A Girls
- 2:00 PMAmbulatory / Unified
- 2:30 PM3A Boys
- 3:00 PM4A Boys
Friday · Nov 6
Day before- 10:00 AMCoach team packet pickup until 3:30 PM · Dick's Sporting Goods, Kennewick
- 12:00 PMCourse open for runners until 4:30 PM
Limited lot
Parking at Sun Willows is first come, first served, and no buses are allowed in the lot. If it is full, park at Columbia Basin College, across N 20th Ave.
Directions ↗Know the rules
The course is closed to spectators except designated areas. The service road along the driving range and the residential area are off limits. No balls, frisbees or other flying objects, and no team tents at the start.
Follow online
WIAA posts unofficial leaders during the meet and results about 30 minutes after each race. Digital programs go online roughly 48 hours before, through WIAA Tournament Central.
WIAA.com ↗Merch pre-order
Rush Team Apparel runs the official State pre-order from Oct 30 at 8:00 AM through Nov 4 at 11:59 PM, with pickup on site at its booth.
2026 State Field — All Classifications
Eleven Races
on the Course
Every classification, boys and girls, on the Sun Willows layout in a single day (girls 1B and 2B run together, boys run separately) — the largest cross country audience in Washington, and the deepest field of the season.
- 1B/2B Girls9:30 AM
- 1A Girls10:00 AM
- 2A Girls10:30 AM
- 1B Boys11:00 AM
- 2B Boys11:30 AM
- 1A Boys12:00 PM
- 2A Boys12:30 PM
- 3A Girls1:00 PM
- 4A Girls1:30 PM
- 3A Boys2:30 PM
- 4A Boys3:00 PM
Before the Gun — Current Marks
Top Contenders
Seeded by current-season 5K times on Athletic.net, nothing more, and not the entry list. Before State I'll rework this list with my own read of the field, because times can be sneaky.
Boys · Top 5
Post-Race
The Documentary Gallery
Coverage pending — selects drop within 72h of the final race
Photos from the 2026 WIAA State Cross Country Championships will be published here within 72 hours of the final race — a curated set of selects telling the story of the day as I found it. This is not a bib-searchable volume archive, and inclusion isn't guaranteed. Personal use licensing; media and commercial use by arrangement.
Where the gallery lives
- Open the gallery link below.
- Enter your email to get in.
- Your email also signs you up for a notice when the photos drop.
The gallery fills after the races. Photos aren't there yet.
Athlete, team, or family? Social-ready crops are free — see the FAQ →
Straight Answers
FAQ
Will there be photos of every athlete at State?
No. Coverage at the WIAA State Championships is editorial and follows the story of each race, not the roster. With eleven classification races on one course in a single day, no single photographer can frame every starter.
Can I book a guaranteed commission at State?
No. Commissions are not offered at the WIAA State Championships. Guaranteed Coverage commissions are available at regular-season and league/district meets only, where a dedicated shooting plan is actually deliverable.
Are the State photos really free to use?
Social-ready crops from the State gallery are free for athletes, teams, and families to post and share with credit. Print, media, and commercial licensing is available on request.
When does the State gallery go live?
Curated selects are published within 72 hours of the final race. You can open the gallery now, enter your email, and you'll get a notice when the photos drop. The gallery button on this page activates automatically when they're up.
What time are the 2026 WIAA State XC races?
Saturday, November 7, 2026 at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco. Opening ceremonies are at 8:45 AM and racing starts at 9:00 AM with the wheelchair division. 1B/2B girls run at 9:30 AM, and the last race, 4A boys, goes at 3:00 PM. Times are Pacific and subject to change; the full timetable is on this page.
Where do I park at the WIAA State XC meet?
Parking at Sun Willows is limited and first come, first served. No buses are allowed in the lot. If it is full, park at Columbia Basin College, across N 20th Ave.
Where can spectators watch at Sun Willows?
The course is closed to spectators except in designated areas. The service road along the driving range and the residential area are off limits. No balls, frisbees or other flying objects are allowed, and no team tents at the start or within 10 feet of the driving-range fencing.
Where are the WIAA State XC results?
WIAA posts unofficial leaders and order of finish on its website during the meet, with results online about 30 minutes after each race. Digital programs are online through WIAA Tournament Central about 48 hours before the meet.
What happens if there is lightning at State?
Under WIAA policy, if thunder is heard or lightning is seen, play is suspended for at least 30 minutes and people are moved to a safe location. Any new thunder or lightning resets the 30 minutes, so expect schedule delays.
