Experience is a luxury in high school sports, and the Arma-Northeast Vikings track and field program has it in spades.
Entering her 34th year as Head Coach, Piper Richardson has seen generations of Vikings cross the finish line. As the 2026 season kicks off, her goal remains steady: to compete for the TRL (Three Rivers League) titles and build on the program’s strong 2A reputation.
Coach Richardson is joined by a specialized staff, including Russ Cramer (Hurdles and Jumpers) and Hunter Jackson (Throwers), ensuring every athlete gets technical expertise in their specific events.
2025 Season Recap: Building Momentum
The 2025 season was a year of steady growth for the Vikings. Competing in a tough 2A regional landscape, Northeast saw athletes push their personal limits.
Key Loss: The Vikings will feel the absence of distance standout Spencer Wade. Wade was a reliable point-scorer and a leaderboard regular in the 1600m and 3200m runs, leaving a gap in the long-distance roster that younger runners will need to fill.
Returning Powerhouse
While the distance squad reloads, the Vikings return major firepower in the field events.
- Tayven Willard (Boys): A standout in horizontal jumps. Willard is expected to lead the boys’ team as a top contender in both the Long Jump and Triple Jump. His explosive athleticism makes him one to watch every time he hits the pit.
- Brooklyn Jackson (Girls): The anchor of the girls’ throwing crew. Jackson specialized in the Shot Put and Discus, consistently putting up marks that put her in the mix for TRL titles.
2026 Outlook: The Road to State
The Vikings enter 2026 with a simple but effective mission. The program is built on the philosophy of constant improvement and qualifying as many athletes as possible for the State meet in Wichita.
“We want to compete for league titles and qualify as many kids to state as possible,” the coaching staff noted.
With a head coach who has over three decades of experience and top-tier returners in the jumps and throws, Northeast is poised to be a major factor in the TRL this spring.
