Jackson Spitzer is one to add to the top of your watch-list this cross country season. The senior from Versailles may not have claimed any state titles yet, but his potential suggests that could soon change.
He dominated the competition at the Bob Schul Invitational this past weekend, running 15:13.30, just three seconds off of his personal-best. What makes this even more impressive is that he ran an over 30-second improvement compared to last year on the same course. Oh right, and he was in absolute no-man's-land -- the next finisher crossed in 15:57.30.
It has been quite the climb for Spitzer throughout his high school career. He went from 88th in the Division III his freshman year all the way to seventh in Division II the following year. This momentum swing carried onto the track season where he qualified for his first outdoor state championship in the 3200m run, sliding in with the highly sought after at-large bid.
Little did Spitzer know that he would go on a hot streak during the fall of his junior year, winning nine races in a row during the regular season. It was not until the regional meet that Nathaniel Gockerman from Cin. CHCA gave him company up front. Spitzer finished second in the region, running 15:33.67. But once again, he claimed All-Ohio hardware by placing 13th a week later at the OHSAA Division 3 State Championship and leading his team to a fifth place finish for the third year in a row.
Spitzer also completed the 1600m-3200m double at the 2026 OHSAA Outdoor Championships for Division IV. He finished on the podium and added another All-Ohio accolade to his name with his 7th place finish in the 3200m, where he ran 9:17.05.
Do not be surprised if Spitzer continues to gain momentum throughout this season. He just might be on track for his best one yet.