The Division I boys race is stacked with talent from top to bottom and features one of the most exciting individual title battles in years. Three nationally ranked runners lead the charge, each capable of putting together a state championship performance. With several sub-15-minute athletes and powerhouse programs all converging on Fortress Obetz, the potential for a historic race is sky-high.

Top 5 Individual Finisher Projections: Mick Temple, Max Friedrich, Dom Ellis, Ryne Reynolds, Caden Winship

Top 3 Individual Team Projections: Mason, Dublin Jerome, Westerville North

The individual race is set to be one of the best in recent memory, with three competitors holding legitimate chances to take home the state title. Pickerington North’s Mick Temple, St. Ignatius’s Max Friedrich, and St. Xavier’s Dom Ellis are all bona fide studs, committed to Butler, Georgetown, and Indiana respectively. Each has run under 14:45, elite marks that place them among the best distance runners in the country.

With that being said, I’m taking Temple as my projected state champion. He has beaten Friedrich in both of their head-to-head matchups, although their most recent battle at the Berlin Bear Dash was razor close. Ellis has yet to face Temple directly but finished just behind Friedrich at the Trinity Valkyrie Invitational, placing him third in my anticipated pecking order.

Rounding out the projected top five are Little Miami’s Ryne Reynolds and Mason’s Caden Winship. Both have personal bests under 15 minutes, positioning them well for success at the state meet. While it’s unlikely either will challenge for the individual title, they’re strong enough to capitalize if any of the top three falter. Reynolds, in particular, seems primed for a breakout and could surprise a few people. Beyond that top group, the field becomes much more unpredictable.

Honestly, the positions from 6th to 30th are a complete toss-up. That pack includes a mix of runners who have clocked times between 15:20 and 15:35, meaning placement will largely come down to who has the best day when it matters most. Central Ohio is well-represented in this range with athletes like Logan Behm, Austin Benedict, Anton Shishlo, Casey Carlos, Calvin Watson, Brock Jarrett, Kole Hyer, Lincoln Kelly, Gordon Kimberly, Ben Canales, Holden Gray, Vansh Sethi, Rishi Jha, Ethan Ishida, and Graham Tyler. Behm, Benedict, and Shishlo have been near the top of this group recently, though in a race this deep, nothing is guaranteed.

Barring disaster, the team title looks all but locked up for Mason, who seeks their fourth championship in the past five years. With an unmatched combination of depth and top-end talent, the Comets enter as heavy favorites. The real intrigue lies in the battle for second and third. Dublin Jerome and Westerville North appear to be the strongest contenders for the runner-up spot. While North held a higher ranking for much of the season, Jerome has surged late, defeating them at regionals. I expect that momentum to carry through to the state meet, with the Celtics’ trio of Kelly, Ishida, and Tyler leading the way. If their fourth and fifth runners can replicate last week’s performances, they could finally break through their postseason barrier. For North to reclaim their edge, they’ll need bounce-back efforts from their back end scorers after an uncharacteristically off day at regionals.

Outside of those three programs, keep an eye on Hilliard Darby, Olentangy Berlin, and Thomas Worthington to make noise in the team standings. Darby enters off a regional runner-up finish, and if Behm and Hyer can replicate that same form, a top-five team finish is well within reach. Berlin has yet to put together a fully complete race, but if their lineup clicks at the right time, they could also break into the top five. Thomas Worthington boasts a strong duo in Watson and Jha, and with solid runs from their supporting cast, they could find themselves right in the mix as well.

With a star-studded individual field and several competitive team battles, this year’s Division I boys race could be one for the ages. Expect fireworks up front between Temple, Friedrich, and Ellis, while the deep pack behind them will ensure fast times and chaotic scoring throughout. Between the state title favorites and the underdogs ready to make a statement, fans at Obetz should be in for a thrilling showcase of Ohio’s best.