It’s no easy feat to finish at or near the top in the 6A classification of high school track and field in Utah. Riverton more than held its own this past season at the state meet. 

The Silverwolves were particularly strong on the girls’ side placing third at the meet. It was the girls team’s best showing in 11 years, as the Silverwolves amassed 68 points, just 10 points out of second place. 

Head coach Marcus Dickson couldn’t say enough good things about his team after the state tournament. He said this was an outstanding team and a collection of dedicated talented athletes. He appreciated their efforts and admired their talents they displayed throughout the entire season—a season that began in the early days of spring when there was still snow on the ground. 

“It was the best overall team [at Riverton] of the decade,” Dickson said. “The combined boys and girls team’s scores were the highest in 10 years. We had a goal to do this, and we achieved it.” 

Two girls had individual championships at the state meet. Senior Brooke Tacke won in the javelin, while junior Leah Larson took home the top prize in the 800-meter race. Tacke, a senior, had a throw of more than 129 feet to claim first place. Her throw was nearly 14 feet farther than the nearest competitor. Meanwhile, Larson had an impressive time of 2:14.50, outpacing the second-place runner by half a second. 

During the season, Riverton’s Ty Warnick, a senior, set 6A records in both the long jump and 400. His long jump went 24 feet, 0.75 inches, while his 400 was in a time of 47.01 seconds. He was the first Utah high school track and field athlete to jump 24 feet. He was also ranked sixth nationally in the decathlon and a gifted performer in the 100, 200. 1500, pole vault and relays. 

Plenty of other athletes turned heads and state and helped the Silverwolves compete well against the best teams in the state. 

Larson was also a top-five runner in the state meet in the 1600 and 3200 races. Chloe Swain, a senior, had the first sub-minute mile for a high school girl on Utah soil, as she ran a 4:55.37 1600 race. Dejan Richards had a solid season for Riverton, setting the school record in the 300 hurdles. Junior Reese Lewis ran a 12.74-second 100-meter race and a 25.57-second 200. Junior Ava Steere placed fifth in state in the 400 with a time of 58.44 seconds. 

You definitely haven’t seen the last of a state championship-caliber girls team at Riverton. The Silverwolves will return a lot of firepower in 2026.

“With leaders like Leah Larson, Ava Steere and Reese Lewis returning, our girls team is poised to be really good next season,” Dickson said. “Underclassmen like Taylor Freeland and many others will also help us out.”

On the boys’ side, Dlckson is excited about the sprinters on the squad and believes that group could be one to watch. The sprinters are young, headlined by some excellent athletes who will be sophomores for the 2026 season. Dickson is optimistic about some other athletes on the boys team as well. 

“Our boy throwers almost all return,” Dickson said. “Luke Palmer is going to have a huge year in the Javelin. Tekoa MacGregor ran 11.1 in the 100 meters this season. If he sticks with this sport, he is going to elevate our team to new heights. Our distance boys also all look to be poised for a big season, led by Senior Tyson Gubler.”

Of course, previous years’ success and potential won’t be enough for these athletes and the team to succeed. Dickson knows everyone needs to work hard in the offseason and be prepared to give it their all. He also hopes to retain all of the underclassmen and grow the team. Depth is crucial in track in field in scoring points.

“We need to continue to get stronger, build team culture and invite all of our friends to come out,” Dickson said. “If we can keep all our freshmen that came out and they work hard until their senior year, our ceiling as a team is limitless.”

Many track and field team members for Riverton will have a short break from running, as the cross country season starts in early August, with workouts beginning in July. The cross country season is an important part of the training and development of track and field team members, especially those who take part in the distance events. λ