The Rock Hills High School hosted the 2026 Grizzly Invitational Track and Field Meet on Friday, May 8, featuring strong competition from schools across north-central Kansas.
The Smith Center High School boys captured the team championship with 123 points, finishing ahead of Republic County with 87 and St. Johns with 80. Washington County placed fourth with 39 points, while Osborne rounded out the top five with 36.
On the girls side, Osborne High School narrowly edged Smith Center for the team title, scoring 98 points to Smith Center’s 96. Washington County finished a close third with 92 points, while Hanover and host Rock Hills completed the top five.
The boys division saw Smith Center use its depth across the track and field events to separate from the field. Republic County and St. Johns remained within striking distance throughout the meet, but Smith Center’s consistency across all 18 events ultimately secured the title.
Washington County added a strong fourth-place finish with 39 points, while Osborne, Thunder Ridge and Northern Valley all remained competitive in the tightly contested middle of the standings.
Host Rock Hills finished eighth overall with 28 points, just ahead of Smoky Valley Home Educators and Hanover. Linn also posted a solid showing with 22 points, while Pike Valley and Tipton Catholic tied for 12th place.
In the girls standings, Osborne relied on a balanced effort to hold off Smith Center in one of the closest team races of the meet. Washington County also remained in contention throughout the day, finishing only six points behind the champions.
Hanover produced a strong fourth-place finish with 64 points, while Rock Hills turned in an impressive performance on its home track with 52 points.
Linn placed sixth with 34 points, followed by St. Johns and Republic County. Stockton, Pike Valley and Smoky Valley Home Educators also contributed strong individual performances during the invitational.
Lakeside, Tipton Catholic, Northern Valley and Thunder Ridge rounded out the girls team standings.
The Grizzly Invitational provided athletes one of the final opportunities to tune up before postseason competition begins later this spring across Kansas high school track and field.
