Washburn Rural 4x400 boys relay team aimed higher than just State medals in 2025

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The Washburn Rural boys 4x400 relay team didn’t just want to defend their 6A State Title in 2025, they wanted to make history.

The Junior Blues won the 6A State Title in 2024, and decided to establish an even bigger goal for 2025: the State record.

“There was pressure [to repeat], but I think our focus was more on the State record. We felt like we could go out and win State, but we wanted to be focused more on the record cause that was more of a challenge for us,” junior Liam Morrison said.

“It was our league meet at Junction, we ran 3:17, and we were like, ‘we can get this at State’. So we pushed the last few weeks to go get it,” junior Draden Chooncharoen said.

They accomplished both of their big goals, successfully running a 3:16.23 to claim the State record at the State Meet last Saturday.

“I mean next year there’s gonna be a new State Champ. But State record, that’s gonna stay there for a long time I hope. Hopefully it’s not broken next year, I don’t think it will. It’s a pretty solid time I’d say,” said senior Isaiah Terry. “I really wanted that. Cause I mean I love the 400 so much, and I run all year round, so it’s nice to put my name in the legacy there.“

The team of Matthew Houser, Isaiah Terry, Liam Morrison, and Draden Chooncharoen said they viewed the race as racing themselves, and the ghosts of the people with the (now former) State record.

Liam and Draden, now without recent graduates Isaiah and Matthew, will try for the three-peat, and maybe even a new record in 2025.

“It means a lot to me,” Morrison added. “Just can’t wait to come back, try and fill some spots, and try and do the same thing again next year.”

“Thinking about my family, thinking about these guys, just to know that we’re there for right now, it means a lot to us,” added Chooncharoen.