Riverside Rebels start 2026 track season at Burlington Invite

The Riverside Rebels started off their 2026 track and field season at Burlington this past Friday, March 20.

The team is low in numbers this year with 15 student athletes, but the group is showing strong competitiveness early on, with several athletes aiming for state titles, school records, and state meet qualifications.

“The team has fully bought into the program and is demonstrating a strong work ethic to start the year. Kids are showing up each and every day and putting in the work. We also have kids staying late to help the middle schoolers get better as well. It’s just good to see kids that are willing to put in the hard work and help the younger kids as well,” commented co-head coach Katie Winters.

Leading the way for the girls was senior Varissa Olsen who placed second in the discus (110-1) and fourth in the shotput (29-3.5). Hannah Suiter, a freshman, had an outstanding meet as well, winning the long jump (14-3) and placed third in the 800m (2:55:56). Mari Pratt had a strong meet, finishing second in the 400m (1:04:47) and sixth in the 200m (29:32). Brinley Longshore finished sixth in the 100m (15.46) with Danika Brauer not far behind placing seventh (15.48). Hadley Hopkin added a sixth place finish in discus (77-7) and eighth in shot put (25-8.5). Evalynn Olsen placed eighth in the 800m with a time of 3:15:21.

For the boys, senior Cade Bell had an outstanding performance, winning the shotput (47-5) and placing second in the discus (125-10). Senior Paul Stone also had a strong showing, taking first in the triple jump (39-10), fifth in the 400m (1:00:73), and sixth in the long jump (17:2). Xander Dannar added an eighth place finish in the 200m with a time of 26.2.

Several athletes are already setting high expectations whether that is going to state their freshman year, breaking school records, winning state titles, or even getting a personal best. The team looks to build on this momentum as the season continues.

The Rebels will travel to Powell for the La Kohnke invite on Saturday, April 11.

Girls

100m dash: Brinley Longshore 6th (15.46), Danika Brauer 8th (15.48)

200m dash: Mari Pratt 6th (29.32), Brinley Longshore 10th (32.76)

400m dash: Mari Pratt 2nd (1:04:47)

800 m run: Hannah Suiter 3rd (2:55:56) Evalynn Olsen 8th (3:15:21)

Long jump: Hannah Suiter 1st (14-3)

Discus: Varissa Olsen 2nd (110-1), Hadley Hopkin 8th (77-7), Danika Brauer 15th (23-3)

Shotput: Varissa Olsen 4th (29-3.5), Hadley Hopkin 8th (25-8.5), Danika Brauer 15th (23-3)

Boys

100m dash: Paul Stone 10th (12.81), Xander Dannar 14th (12.98)

200m dash: Xander Dannar: 8th (26.2)

400m dash: Paul Stone 5th (1:00:73)

800m run: Ariel Cordova 11th (2:46:68)

1600m run: Ariel Cordova 11th (6:30:71)

Long jump: Paul Stone 6th (17-2), Xander Dannar 19th (15-6.25)

Triple jump: Paul Stone 1st (39-10)

Discus: Cade Bell 2nd (125-10), Xander Dannar 35th (63-7), Aiden Bidleman 41st (53-11)

Shotput: Cade Bell 1st (47-5), Aiden Bidleman 34th (24-0.25)