Two members of the FBI team exult after winning 2026 Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)
PENDLETON — Pendleton High School students got down and dirty during the school’s annual Mud Wars on Oct. 14 at the Happy Canyon Arena in Pendleton.
Marking its 31st anniversary, Mud Wars brought students together for a muddy showdown as teams pulled with all their might to drag their opponents into the muck. Laughter and school spirit filled the arena as students slipped, splashed and slung mud to see who came out on top.
This year’s competitors included the Prisoners, the FBI, the Hippies, Tough Enough to Wear Pink, the Zombies, the Disney Princesses and the Army, among others. From heavy metal and farm animal costumes to muddy showdowns, each team brought its own personality to the pit.
But only one team could claim victory.
The competition was messy, the mud flew and the FBI took home the title. Check out the latest photos from the evening’s dirtiest competition.
The Prisoners team pulls the rope during a round of Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)Members of the FBI team prepare to grab the rope during a round of Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)Members of the Tough Enough to Wear Pink team compete during Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)A member of the Prisoners team slips during Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)The Hippies team competes during a round of Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)Members of the Zombies team compete during a round of Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)The sophomore Disney Princesses team pulls during a round of Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)Two members of the Army team work together to pull the rope during Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)A competitor laughs at the end of a round of Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)Two teams compete in Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)A competitor laughs at the end of a round of Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)Members of the 80s Workout team work to keep the rope moving in the right direction during a round of Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)Two members of the FBI team exult after winning 2026 Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)A member of the Farm Animal team slips into the slime during a round of Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)A member of the Construction team grimaces as she works to pull the rope during Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)The three coaches of Heavy Metal cheer on their team during Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)Members of the Farm Animals team cheer after winning a round of Mud Wars on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Happy Canyon Arena. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)
