Division 1: Boys

We could see history be made this weekend at Fortress Obetz this weekend, as Little Miami could potentially win their very first team state championship title ever after, and also for the first time, advancing out of their respective regional competition (OHSAA Division 1 Region 4 - Troy) after a runner-up finish just behind multi-time team state champions and distance dynasty, Mason.

After the departure of notable alum, William Zegarski (Little Miami 2022), who has found success in the collegiate scene at Butler, the Panthers have made quite a bit of noise this season after quietly building up the last two years, with their entire lineup slated to compete this weekend making huge jumps throughout the fall.

Within that lineup includes the top sophomore in the state, Ryne Reynolds (Little Miami 2027), who clocked a scorching 15:09.41 at OHSAA Division 1 District - Voice of America just a few weeks ago. Joining him, Justin Evans, Derek Gomez, Noah Orr, Ian Patrick, Mitchell Reynolds, and Michael Zegarski. 

For every single one of them, this will be their first time at the state championships for cross country.

They are currently ranked second on the Coaches Poll. On the MileSplit XC Team Scores, they are currently first. 

With that being said, this will prove no easy task, as coming from the same region, both Mason and St. Xavier, who are currently ranked first and third on the OATCCC Coaches Poll will be looking to add to their growing collection of cross-country state championship titles. 

For Mason, despite the departures of Max Liao and Jerry Xu, their momentum as one of the deepest and top teams in the state has remained unshaken, as Caden Winship (Mason 2026) has stepped up and made himself known in the state, improving by over a minute and a half this fall when compared to last year (16:45.90 -> 15:07.79). Evidentially, his progress can be backed up by the fact that his current best on the grass is now faster pace-wise than his 3200m from last outdoor season (9:52.92).

From Region 3, Westerville North (#4) and Dublin Jerome (#5) found themselves just five points apart on the team scores, 95 - 99. 

Out of OHSAA Division 1 Region 1 - Youngstown (Boardman), Hudson (#7) could potentially be a dark horse team, winning that region over Massillon Jackson 130 - 152.

Rounding out the team portion, Anthony Wayne won OHSAA Division 1 Region 2 - Tiffin over Toledo St. Francis 48 - 56.

Something to note however, Toledo St. Francis had a 1-5 Split of a mere 13 seconds, with their placers being at 9 - 10 -11 -12 - 14.

Moving on to individuals, the current state leader Alex Bruns (St. Xavier 2025) is just one of many athletes who could find themselves on the podium for the first time, except as a state champion following the season leading up to this weekend. After his 14:39.86 performance at Trinity / Valkyrie Invitational earlier this season, he has officially put the record lists on alert, as he is now a tad over 10 seconds away from Connor Ackley's 14:29.50 from two years ago.

He won't be completely in the clear though, as both Eli Ilg (Mass. Jackson 2025) and Landon Kimmel (Tippecanoe 2026) have both dipped under 14:50 minutes this season, and knowing how both of these guys race, this Saturday will be one to look forward to. 

Other notables:

- Charles Guerrera (Dub. Jerome 2025) has put up one of the strongest seasons, starting with a huge victory at Hot Summer Bash - Hilliard Davidson earlier this season, followed up by a strong performance in Michigan at the MSU Auto-Owners Spartan Invitational 2024, a win on home turf at Celtic Clash, and following up with going undefeated throughout the post-season competitions at Ohio Capital Conference - Cardinal, OHSAA Division 1 District - Hilliard Darby, and OHSAA Division 1 Region 3 - Pickerington. 

- Anthony Clark (Perrysburg 2025) will be looking for a spot on the podium at his third and final appearance at the state championships this weekend. The senior from Perrysburg has been leaving no crumbs behind in the closing stages of his high school cross-country career, throwing down a huge personal best of 15:16.18 at Berlin Bear Den Dash, and following that up with a string of victories at Northern Lakes League XC Championships, OHSAA Division 1 District - Leaders Farms, and OHSAA Division 1 Region 2 - Tiffin.

- Kasem Kaheal (Centerville 2025) was the third-place finisher at OHSAA Division 1 Region 4 - Troy and has notched a few races with some highlight out-of-state competitions consisting of Nike XC Town Twilight Invitational (18th), Trinity / Valkyrie Invitational (8th), and MSU Auto-Owners Spartan Invitational (6th). Along with that, he also won the absolute mud-fest of Saturday Night Lights and set a personal best of 15:07.33 at OHSAA Division 1 District - Cedarville