The Kingston Redskins boys’ cross-country program opened the 2026 season with a promising performance Saturday at McAlester’s RunningWiththeHerdCross Country Meet. Runners from both the junior high and high school programs gained valuable early-season experience.
Kingston High School’s Everett Eason led the way for the Redskins, turning in an impressive seventh-place finish in a competitive field. Eason came out strong and remained among the front runners throughout the race, finishing just 1 minute and 15 seconds behind the race winner.
His performance provided an early indication that Kingston could have a runner capable of competing near the front of the pack as the season progresses. Eason was followed by Benjamin Manus, who finished 22nd, and Chet Nix, who crossed the finish line in 36th place. Together, the three runners gave Kingston a solid showing among the high school competitors.
The Redskins’ junior high and developing distance runners also turned in performances that Coach Jones saidprovidedplentyofreason for optimism. Colby Higgs finished 22nd, followed by Collin McKinney in 26th, Wyatt Hampton in 32nd, Chris Mariles in 35th, Liam White in 39th and Daxton Stuover in 40th.
While individual finishes are one measure of success, the meet represented something potentially more important for Kingston’s boys’ program, the development of a group of young runners who are beginning to establish themselves in the longer-distance events. Coach Jones said he was “super proud” of the young menandemphasizedthatthe development of distance runners is something Kingston has been working to build.
“We haven’t had runners in the long-distance areas in high school, and this is where it starts,” Jones said.
The early season meet gives Kingston’s runners an opportunity to learn the demands of cross country, where athletes must deal with varied terrain, changing race conditions and the challenge of maintaining a consistent pace over the entire course.
The Running With the Herd meet has become part of the early-season Oklahoma cross country schedule. This year’s event was held in McAlester at the Parker Intermediate Center, with schools from throughout the region taking part.
This year’s meet was held Saturday, Aug. 15, continuing the event’s role as an early test for area runners.
The meet also carries a strong McAlester identity, built around the city’s Buffaloes athletic program and the idea of runners coming together for competition.
For Kingston, however, the bigger story may be the foundation being established for the future. Eason’s seventh-place finish gives the high school team a proven front-runner, while Manus and Nix provide additional experience.
The performances of Higgs, McKinney, Hampton, Mariles, White and Stuover show that a younger group is also gaining valuable racing experience. As the season continues, the Redskins will have opportunities to improve their times, strengthen their team performances and prepare for the postseason.
For Coach Jones, the early results are about more than one meet or a single finish. They represent the beginning of something Kingston has been working to develop, a stronger tradition of boys’ distance running, with this year’s young runners laying thegroundworkforthefuture of Kingston cross country.