Girls OCC Recap #1

The distance girls across the Capital, Ohio, and Buckeye Divisions showed up in a big way this week. Between standout wins, deep relays, and more than a few breakout performances, each division had its share of highlights. Whether it was a loaded field in the Capital division, Lincoln’s stranglehold on the Ohio division, or Lancaster’s total takeover in the Buckeye division, the message was clear: postseason form is kicking in at the right time.

Capital Division

4x800 Meter Relay

This one was scrappy — and surprisingly fast. Delaware Hayes took the win in 9:45, thanks to a big anchor leg from Gigi Leiter and a clutch opening split from Cali Kent (2:19). They edged out Big Walnut, who ran 9:49 behind a balanced lineup led by Leighton Coey and Grace Buskirk.With five teams under 10:00 and others just off the mark, this was a deep field for a division that’s clearly building a strong distance base.

1600 Meters

Big Walnut sophomore Grace Buskirk went out hard and never looked back, grabbing the win in 5:12. She looked composed throughout, pulling away from Delaware Hayes’ Cali Kent, who took second in 5:14.Worthington Kilbourne’s Abigail Gerschutz finished third in 5:26, while teammates Zoe Kellner (5:50) and Sam Sizer (6:25) added depth for the Wolves. Lilah Roblee and Leigha Kay both cracked 5:36, and Sofie Loftin held tough for Westerville South with a 5:39.Further back, the race became a test of grit, with a large pack battling it out in the 6-minute range — not flashy, but certainly hard-earned.

800 Meters

This one was wide open — and Leighton Coey of Big Walnut took full advantage, closing hard to win in 2:22. Worthington Kilbourne’s Sarah Lundine followed in a 2:22 PR, looking sharp throughout. The next four finishers were separated by just over a second: Ziriah Johnson (Westerville South, 2:29) led the group, followed by Lexy Lawrence, Gigi Leiter, and Teresa Fernandez in the low 2:30s.A shoutout goes to the second wave, where nearly every athlete from 7th through 15th posted season or personal bests. These may not be state-qualifying times yet, but the growth is evident — and that’s what these meets are all about.

3200 Meters

Let’s call it the battle of the sophomores. Grace Buskirk completed the sweep, winning in 11:57 by outkicking Kilbourne’s Abigail Gerschutz, who also finished in 11:57.A tight chase pack followed, with Katelyn Hogenbirk (12:03) and Alexa Fell (12:05) showing strength and maturity. Delaware Hayes’ Cali Kent returned after her 1600 runner-up finish to claim fifth in 12:07.The top 10 featured a mix of freshmen and sophomores, including Jacalyn Eblin, Leigha Kay, and Layla Filbrun — all battling warm conditions and tough doubles to deliver big performances.

Ohio Division

4x800 Meter Relay

Gahanna Lincoln came in as the favorite — and delivered. Their team of Abigail Young, Ruby Lewis, Olivia Smeck, and Abby Landrum cruised to a 9:37 win, running smooth and steady throughout.New Albany took second in 10:03, thanks to a strong anchor leg from Emma Jaster. Westerville Central was just behind in 10:04, showing impressive balance across all four legs. Pickerington North (10:22) and Grove City (11:23) followed, while Central Crossing scratched from the event.

3200 Meters

This one was all Lincoln, all the way. Ruby Lewis (11:17) and Olivia Smeck (11:20) went 1–2 and made it look easy.Grove City’s Aubrey Smith placed third in 11:56, while Lincoln freshman Rachel Ille (12:07) added to the Golden Lions’ dominance. Pickerington North’s Payton Butterfield grabbed fifth with a PR of 12:14. And shoutout to Janine Lukacena Garcia of New Albany, who pushed through and finished in 16:53 — a true display of toughness.

1600 Meters

The Lincoln duo of Ruby Lewis (5:09) and Olivia Smeck (5:11) kept their momentum going with another 1–2 finish. New Albany freshman Kyla Benedict impressed with a 5:16 for third, holding off Pickerington North senior Mia Eberhardt (5:22).Lincoln freshman Jillian Gomez ran a strong 5:23 for fifth. The back half of the field was full of young talent, many finishing in the 5:40–6:20 range — gaining valuable varsity experience in the process.

800 Meters

The most open race of the day belonged to New Albany’s Amayah Speed, who dropped a big PR of 2:19 to take the win.Audrey Nowell (2:20) and Tiffany Zuehlke (2:21) led a strong Westerville Central charge, while Lincoln’s Abigail Young and Abby Landrum both finished close behind in the 2:21–2:23 range.Freshman Charlotte Schwemlein (2:28) and Pickerington North’s Aniyla Chatman (2:31) also impressed. Further back, PRs from Grove City and Central Crossing athletes — like Mollie Morbitzer and London Shortridge — highlighted the strength of the sophomore class.

Buckeye Division

4x800 Meter Relay

Lancaster opened the meet with a statement, winning in 9:48 behind Hadley Allen’s clutch anchor and strong early legs from Marisa Heil, Ava Parrett, and Lily Carpico.Canal Winchester dropped a massive PR of 9:56, thanks to Lillian Stepp’s breakout split (2:24) and solid runs from Speakman, Hughey, and Viola. Logan followed in 9:59 with a strong anchor from Emma Hinton.Teays Valley (10:04) and Pickerington Central (10:34) stayed competitive, while Newark (11:00) rounded out the top six. Every top-five team PR’d — a great sign with districts on the horizon.

3200 Meters

Lancaster swept the podium again, led by Marisa Heil’s dominant 10:49 win — nearly 30 seconds clear of the field.Freshman Brooke Derringer (11:24) and senior Ava Parrett (11:51) completed the Gales’ 1–2–3 finish.Canal’s Claire Speakman (12:05) and Logan’s Kaylen Goss (12:10) rounded out the top five. Further back, Kate Charter, Katie Sites, and Addison Barbini all hovered near or under 13:00. Props to Logan for putting three girls in the top 10.

1600 Meters

This might’ve been the best race of the weekend. Harper Allen broke the old meet record with a 4:58 win, just edging out teammate Marisa Heil (4:59). Brooke Derringer (5:17) completed another Lancaster sweep.Sydney Hammack (Logan, 5:20), Addie Keplar (Teays Valley, 5:20), Lillian Stepp (Canal, 5:23), and Kaylen Goss (Logan, 5:26) made up a deep and competitive chase pack.Teays Valley landed three in the top 11, and Newark’s Meredith Pyle and Kate Shaw held strong through the field.

800 Meters

If the 1600 was thrilling, this was the most unpredictable — and Teays Valley’s Reese Galinger emerged victorious. The sophomore dropped a huge PR of 2:19 to edge out Harper Allen (2:19), who completed an incredible sub-5:00 / sub-2:20 double.Hadley Allen (2:24) and Amelia Fries (2:26) kept Lancaster in the mix, while Logan’s Emma Hinton and Teays Valley’s Grace Thanasack followed closely in the 2:32 range.Several freshmen and sophomores — like Elizabeth Rippl, Khloe Maxwell, and Gracyn Cozad — all broke 2:40, setting the stage for a bright future in this event.

If this week was any indication, the OCC is set for a big postseason. The top names looked sharp, the relays were rolling, and a wave of younger talent made their presence known. District meets are up next — and don’t be surprised if many of these girls are still making headlines deep into the month of June.