Watkins Memorial 2016 graduate, Andrew Jordan, is the #1 pick for the #1 All-Time Cross Country runner in Ohio high school history based upon the season that he had and the times that he ran.
Ohio High School Cross Country goes back to 1928. OHSAA has records of the Individual and Team Champions. Links to their site, include the Boys and Girls State Meet Individual Champions, as well as links to the articles written by Timothy L. Hudak, on their site, "Looking Back at the OHSAA's Cross Country Championships." It is very difficult, and certainly subjective, to put together an "All-Time" Top 10 list for Boys and Girls, as the distances and Divisions have changed, for the boys, four times and for the girls two times. The boy's distance changes were: 1928-1930 was 2.5 miles, 1931-1976 was 2 miles, 1977 - 1981 was 2.5 miles and from 1982 to current is 5,000m or 3.1 miles. For the girls, the changes were: 1978-1981 2.5 miles and 1982 to current 5,000m or 3.1 miles. Also, for the boys and girls meets, there were separate individual and team races for the boys from 1960-1984 and for the girls from 1981-1984.
Following, and very subjective, trying as best as possible to take into account the changes, the distances run on different courses, times run and the classes or divisions, is a ranking of the Top 10 All Time Boys and Girls in Ohio High School Cross Country. (Note: It does not take into account individual State Championships won, but is more weighted on times run. I would love for your feedback in "Discussion," as I know that there are some very deserving and talented runners who I did not rank in Top 10. I'd love to see your Top 10. Perhaps we can go out to Top 20!)
TOP 10 OHIO ALL TIME BOYS
1. Andrew Jordan - Watkins Memorial (2016)
2. Alan Scharsu - Austintown-Fitch (1977)
3. Scott Fry - Sandusky Perkins (1984)
4. George Nicholas - Dayton Meadowdale (1980)
5. Ron Addison - Cleveland Rhodes (1971)
6. Reggie McAfee - Cin. Courter Tech 1968
7. Bill Beaty - Lancaster 1968
8. Andy Schramm - Cin. Deer Park (1961)
9. Michael Brajdic - Bay Village (2010)
10. Bob Mau - Rocky River (1982)
MILESPLIT TOP 20 OHIO BOY'S ALL TIME XC
MileSplit database
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14:44.70 | 2016 | ||
| 2 | 14:50.00 | 1985 | ||
| 3 | 14:51.60 | 2014 | ||
| 4 | 14:54.80 | 2011 | ||
| 5 | 14:54.89 | 2011 | ||
| 6 | 14:56.00 | 2013 | ||
| 7 | 14:59.00 | 1988 | ||
| 8 | 15:00.00 | |||
| 9 | 15:01.00 | 2003 | ||
| 10 | 15:04.00 | 2013 | ||
| 11 | 15:04.86 | 2016 | ||
| 12 | 15:05.50 | 2012 | ||
| 13 | 15:05.75 | 2014 | ||
| 14 | 15:06.00 | 2012 | ||
| 14 | 15:06.00 | 2014 | ||
| 16 | 15:07.00 | 2002 | ||
| 17 | 15:08.10 | 1999 | ||
| 18 | 15:08.70 | 2014 | ||
| 19 | 15:08.90 | 1988 | ||
| 20 | 15:09.00 | 2011 |
Boys State Tournament Individual Champions