Mark Dwyer

Nov 02, 2024

Follow along with our live update recap article throughout the duration of the 2024 OHSAA Division I, Division II and Division III State Cross Country Championships.

Boys Division III (Individuals)

Make it a repeat for Luke Snyder!

The junior from Rittman clocked 14:58.13 to prevail in Division III, winning his second consecutive OHSAA individual XC title. It's quite a high school career Snyder is putting together. In addition to his now two state meet triumphs, he has a runner-up finish, as a freshman, from the 2022 end-of-season showcase, on his stellar resume.

Snyder's mark is a new OHSAA Division III state meet record for competition taking place at the Obetz venue. He led the field through the 1st mile in just under 4:45, he crossed the 2-mile mat in 9:39 (a few seconds behind Andrew Rodhe, the leader at that stage) and closed out strong for his 14:58.13 finish.

Claiming runner-up honors was Will Baker (Mount Gilead), who secured the placement by running 15:06.23, a mark which narrowly held off 3rd place finisher Andrew Rodhe of Steubenville Catholic Central. Rodhe clocked 15:06.94, officially.

Landen Eyre and Connor Nolan were the next two through the line with Eyre going 15:12.54 for 4th and Nolan taking 5th in 15:26.18.

Girls Division III (Individuals)

In a thrilling final sequence, Caroline Hamilton broke the tape to win the Division III title, edging Rebecca Geiss over the last few strides.

Representing Legacy Christian, Hamilton produced a 17:43.25 mark to claim the win. Her time goes down as a Division III state meet record for the Obetz course.

Geiss, the 2023 state champion, took second in 17:44.44.

The leader at both the 1-mile and 2-mile markers, Caitlyn Clark (Smithville) secured 3rd overall in 17:49.86. Rounding out the top 5 were Naomi Sheesley and Tess Shultz. Sheesley (McDonald) finished 4th in 17:50.63 with Shultz running through the line in 5th at 18:18.65.

Boys Division III (Teams)

Scoring in positions 2-8-26-35-38, Mount Gilead hoists state meet gold following their 109-point 1st place showing.

The aforementioned Will Baker led the way for the squad with his 2nd place overall finish. This the second state meet win for Mount Gilead in the past three years. They posted a victory at Obetz in 2022 and then took second last year to the champions from Columbus Grove. It's been quite a 3-year run for the Indians, to say the least.

Convoy Crestview posted a runner-up effort, finishing with 131-points. Ottawa Hills took 3rd (172), Botkins was 4th (178) and the defending champs from Columbus Grove placed 5th, producing 195 points.

Girls Division III (Teams)

The Minster dynasty continues!

Once again, the Wildcats take top spot in Division III. A record 17 state titles (and now 4-consecutive), Minster went 2-8-29-46-49 for 134 points to outlast Summit Country Day and Rittman.

For the first time on the state meet podium, Summit Country Day placed 2nd (140) with Rittman going 144 for 3rd. West Liberty-Salem and Huron finished 4th and 5th with 164 and 197 points, respectively.

Minster was led by Maria Niekamp (the second scorer and 7th overall finisher), who clocked 18:31.99.

Boys Division II (Individuals)

Andrew Walton successfully executes the repeat!

The senior from Fairfield Union negotiated the Obetz 5-kilometer lay-out in 15:09.84 to collect his second consecutive OHSAA Division II individual state title. Walton led the field at both the 1-mile and 2-mile check-points with a 4:44.93 opening split and going through the next mat at 9:44.83.

Narrowly trailing Walton was the second place finisher, Latrell Hughes, from Lexington. Hughes secured his placement going through the finishing chute in 15:13.46.

Next in the standings was Ty Rosengarten (Ottawa-Glandorf), who claimed 3rd with a 15:18.81 mark. Owen Scott (Van Wert) and Brice Fuller (Fairless) produced 15:23.07 and 15:23.18 times for 4th and 5th overall, respectively.

Boys Division II (Teams)

Girls Division II (Individuals)

Never in doubt!

It was an emphatic winning performance from Sophia Szolosi, as she captured the Division II crown in 17:39.61. Her mark being a decisive 29-seconds clear of her nearest opposition.

Szolosi, representing Athens, led through the 1st mile in 5:27.97 and the 2nd mile in 11:07.67.

Mercy McAuley's Abby Sewell earned runner-up honors in 18:08.28 and Anna Prusak (Hathaway Brown) collected the 3rd placement in 18:14.83.

In 4th was Ashlynn Kuklica in 18:24.17 and rounding out the top 5 was Leah Emch (Eastwood), who ran a time of 18:24.57.