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Independent Editorial Coverage

2026 WA State Track & Field

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Championship Oval. Mount Tahoma. The destination every athlete has been chasing since November.

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The Washington State Championship

The 2026 WIAA State Track & Field Championships return to Tacoma on May 28-30. This is the peak of the season—where Washington's 2A, 3A, and 4A classifications converge for three days of high-stakes racing and field events.

I will be on the infield providing independent, comprehensive coverage for WestcoastXC and Dyestat, documenting the podium finishes, the records, and the heartbreak. Please note: As credentialed media, all state meet photography is strictly for editorial reporting and is not available for retail sale.

FREE EDITORIAL GALLERY UPDATE: Full resolution viewing galleries will be posted here within 48 to 72 hours of Day 3.

[ GET NOTIFIED & RECEIVE THE MT. TAHOMA DISTANCE GUIDE ]
Date May 28-30, 2026
Location Mt. Tahoma HS (Tacoma)
Surface Championship Red
Events 2A / 3A / 4A
/// SYSTEM EVOLUTION

The Radar Has Been Upgraded

Local scanning is obsolete. I have initiated a comprehensive Washington statewide intelligence grid tracking the top athletes across the WIAA 2A, 3A, and 4A classifications. View live event rankings, projected champions, and secure early editorial intel on the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m fields before the championship block begins.

LIVE TELEMETRY UPLINK
> INITIALIZING WA STATE WATCH GRID...
Access Intelligence Grid
PROJECTED HEAT SHEETS: PENDING WIAA RELEASE
SYSTEM: MISSION_CONTROL STATUS: POST-SEASON_PREVIEW
[ FILE_4A_1600 ] 4A 1600M PREVIEW ACCESS GUIDE [ FILE_3A_1600 ] 3A 1600M PREVIEW ACCESS GUIDE [ FILE_2A_1600 ] 2A 1600M PREVIEW ACCESS GUIDE [ FILE_4A_3200 ] 4A 3200M PREVIEW ACCESS GUIDE [ FILE_3A_3200 ] 3A 3200M PREVIEW ACCESS GUIDE [ FILE_2A_3200 ] 2A 3200M PREVIEW ACCESS GUIDE
[ FILE_4A_800 ] 4A 800M PREVIEW LOCKED DECRYPTING 05/13...
[ FILE_3A_800 ] 3A 800M PREVIEW LOCKED DECRYPTING 05/13...
[ FILE_2A_800 ] 2A 800M PREVIEW LOCKED DECRYPTING 05/13...
WIAA State Track and Field Championships Mt Tahoma 2026

Mt. Tahoma Facility & Logistics Intel

Location & Parking
Mt. Tahoma HS: 4634 S 74th St, Tacoma, WA 98409. Primary parking is near the stadium on S 74th. Bus/Van parking is relegated to the large grass lot off Verde Street.
"Tent City" Operations
Programs are permitted one tent (10x10 or 10x20). Spots are drawn via lottery beginning Thursday at 1:00 PM. Note: All tents must be taken down nightly.
Warm-Up & Medical Zones
Primary warm-ups occur on the grass behind the scoreboard. Infield warm-ups are restricted to flagged zones only. The main training/medical facility is located near the finish line.
The Wind (Distance Impact)
Mt. Tahoma is notoriously susceptible to shifting winds coming off the Sound. For the 1600m and 3200m, drafting on the back straightaway isn't just a tactic, it is a survival requirement.
The Grandstand
The stadium seating creates a massive wall of sound on the home stretch. The noise during the final 100 meters of any relay or distance kick is deafening. Communication will be limited.
Locker Rooms
Locker rooms located under the grandstands are strictly available for restrooms only. They may not be used for team camping or warming up. Plan accordingly.

/// PROTOCOL UPLINK: DISTANCE OPERATIONS

Technical procedures and competition rules for the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m.

CRITICAL UPLINK: CLERKING WINDOW
Athletes must report to the Clerking Tent (Visitor Side) exactly 25 minutes prior to their scheduled race time. Do not miss this window.
The Two-Command Start
Walk-Up Line: Start 3m behind the line to prevent tensing.
"On Your Marks": Move quickly to the line without touching it.
The Gun: Fires once all athletes are completely still.
Lane & Break Rules
800M: The first turn is run in lanes. Move inside only after passing the break line (cones) on the back straight.
1600M/3200M: Waterfall start. You may move inside immediately if clear of other runners.
Seeding & Clerking
Check-In: Report to the Clerking Tent (visitor side) 25 mins prior.
800M Seeding: Serpentine by time. Max 9 runners per heat. Lowest seeds share Lane 1 on the Olympic curve.
Technical Gear
Spikes: 1/4” pyramid spikes recommended. Pin/needle spikes are strictly prohibited and checked at clerking.
Timing: Fully Automatic Timing (FAT) via Finish Lynx system.

2026 WIAA State Qualifying Standards

*Distance Focus: Marks required for automatic entry into the State Championship.

Event Gender 2A Standard 3A Standard 4A Standard
800M Run Boys 1:57.60 1:55.24 1:58.17
800M Run Girls 2:19.89 2:16.24 2:15.66
1600M Run Boys 4:19.22 4:13.05 4:15.38
1600M Run Girls 5:09.23 5:00.35 5:00.49
3200M Run Boys 9:24.46 9:10.02 9:16.94
3200M Run Girls 11:23.82 10:52.64 10:56.77

Mt. Tahoma Operational Timeline

Explicit Distance Coverage Schedule: 800M, 1600M & 3200M.

Day Time Race Event Classifications
Thursday, May 28 4:20 PM 1600M Run FINAL (Girls) 2A, 3A, 4A
Thursday, May 28 5:50 PM 1600M Run FINAL (Boys) 2A, 3A, 4A
Saturday, May 30 10:50 AM 800M Run FINAL (Boys) 2A, 3A, 4A
Saturday, May 30 11:05 AM 800M Run FINAL (Girls) 2A, 3A, 4A
Saturday, May 30 1:20 PM 3200M Run FINAL (Boys & Girls) 2A
Saturday, May 30 2:30 PM 3200M Run FINAL (Boys & Girls) 3A
Saturday, May 30 3:40 PM 3200M Run FINAL (Boys & Girls) 4A

/// RECENT INTEL CAPTURES (2026 TOUR)

Maya Brand of Eastlake High School track at the South Sound Classic in Puyallup Kian Compton of Eisenhower running at the South Sound Classic in Olympia Amin Fidaar of Rogers High School competing in track at Sparks Stadium Latham West track and field action shot at Sparks Stadium Seattle Prep track athlete competing at the Nike Jesuit Twilight Relays in Portland Ella Koch and Sara Thompson running at the Jesuit Twilight Relays Gemma Caprara racing at the Mt. Tahoma Track Festival Latham West and Bonney Lake runner competing at Ingersoll Stadium in Olympia Maya Brand of Eastlake High School track at the South Sound Classic in Puyallup Kian Compton of Eisenhower running at the South Sound Classic in Olympia Amin Fidaar of Rogers High School competing in track at Sparks Stadium Latham West track and field action shot at Sparks Stadium Seattle Prep track athlete competing at the Nike Jesuit Twilight Relays in Portland Ella Koch and Sara Thompson running at the Jesuit Twilight Relays Gemma Caprara racing at the Mt. Tahoma Track Festival Latham West and Bonney Lake runner competing at Ingersoll Stadium in Olympia

BEYOND THE TRACK

Senior Portraits

State meet photography is locked down by WIAA retail policies, but your senior year shouldn't be. I specialize in "Atmospheric Reality"—bringing my commercial and sports editorial lighting straight to your senior portrait session.

View The Lookbook

Commercial & Brand

Athletes aren't the only ones chasing performance. I partner with local businesses to build tactical, mission-oriented visual libraries. Bookings for my headshot sprints and commercial brand architecture are currently open.

Access Commercial Hub

/// FIELD NOTES: COMPLIANCE, FOULS & FAQ

Q: WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON DISTANCE FOULS?
Interference: Forcing another runner to alter their stride.
Curve Violations: Running on the inside lane line for three or more consecutive steps.
Pacing: Assistance from anyone not in the race (e.g., a teammate running alongside on the infield) will result in a foul/DQ.
Early Break: Stepping inside the break line even one step early in the 800m.
Q: WHAT ARE THE UNIFORM & GEAR STANDARDS?
Electronics Ban: No cell phones, earbuds, or headphones are permitted inside the fence or competition areas. Uniforms: Numbers must be worn on the front. Tops must hang below or be tucked into the waistband so hip numbers are visible for the FAT cameras.
Q: WHAT IS THE HONEST EFFORT RULE?
Once qualified, participation is required. Failure to compete or a perceived lack of "reasonable effort" in an event can result in disqualification from the entire meet.
Q: CAN WE USE VIDEO TO PROTEST A CALL?
The stadium video screen is not an approved replay mechanism. Athletes may only view video with a coach in a designated coaching area over the fence. Coaches must file protests at the Information Tent (south entrance) with a $100 fee (charged only if the protest is upheld).
Q: CAN I BUY MY STATE RACE PHOTOS?
No. In strict compliance with WIAA multimedia credential policies for Emerging Media, my independent coverage is strictly for editorial reporting and viewing. No images from the state championships will be offered for sale. NSP (Northwest Sports Photography) retains all exclusive sales rights.
Q: WILL THERE BE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS?
Any video content published to this hub will strictly adhere to the WIAA highlight limitation policy, capping footage at a maximum of two (2) minutes per contest.

Don't Miss The Kick

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MEDIA ETIQUETTE & OPERATIONAL BOUNDARIES

Russell Moore Photography is SafeSport Trained and operates as a credentialed "Emerging Media" outlet. To maintain professional standing, this platform provides in-depth editorial content and adheres to strict neutrality protocols (no open support for individual teams/athletes, no access to locker rooms/medical spaces, and no recruiting/scouting services). All coverage of the WIAA State Championships is strictly for editorial purposes and athletic reporting. No photography, video, or audio from this event is available for retail sale or commercial licensing, in full compliance with WIAA multimedia regulations. Northwest Sports Photography (NSP) retains all exclusive sales rights for the championship.