Boys’ OCC Recaps

Across all five sections of the Ohio Capital Conference, there were fantastic performances from favorites and underdogs alike. With the new “Super Region” in Division I this season, the OCC meet provided the final opportunity for many teams to prove themselves one last time before the chance to qualify for the state championships. With that in mind, numerous teams and individuals delivered stunning performances at both Hilliard Bradley and Pickerington Central.

OCC Buckeye Division

Individual Champion: Brock Jarrett

Team Champion: Lancaster

After recently announcing his commitment to run at Ohio State next year, Brock Jarrett capped off his regular season by winning the individual OCC title. It was a tight race between him and Canal Winchester’s Grant Hamilton, but Jarrett’s strength over the final kilometer sealed the victory. Logan’s Andrew Perry rounded out the top three.

Lancaster dominated the team race, scoring a stellar 30 points. Placing their top seven runners within the top 15, the Gales seemingly had this one wrapped up from the gun. Lancaster’s victory was anchored by strong performances from Jarrett, Gabe McNeil, Brayden Wheeler, and Charlie Cooperrider. Canal Winchester edged out Pickerington Central for the runner-up spot.

OCC Capital Division

Individual Champion: Casey Carlos

Team Champion: Westerville North

In a race stacked with talent, another Westerville North standout took home the title. Following in the footsteps of past champions Ben Gabelman and Jeffery Kerns, Casey Carlos won in 15:43. Dublin Scioto’s Michael Kinzer finished runner-up, followed by North’s Charlie Bosler, Khalid Guled, and Holden Gray. Willis-Guard Batchelder and Jack Flanagan also earned first-team honors, meaning four of the top seven runners will return to the conference next season.

North claimed the team victory as well, placing four runners in the top five. It was dominance from start to finish as the Warriors reaffirmed their place among the elite in Central Ohio. They established themselves as serious state championship contenders, defeating Delaware Hayes convincingly. Behind Hayes, Big Walnut took third, finishing just three points back. The Eagles solidified their reputation as one of Division II’s top teams, thanks to strong efforts from Frank Evener and Jalen Jones.

OCC Ohio Division

Individual Champion: Mick Temple

Team Champion: Westerville Central

Mick Temple completed a rare four-peat, taking the win at Pickerington Central. Staying undefeated on the season, Temple crossed the line in 15:31. With only two races left in his Ohio high school career, it remains to be seen whether he can keep his record flawless. Sophomore Austin Benedict impressed as the runner-up, followed by Westerville Central’s Alex Hohman and Corbin Morrissey, and Pickerington North’s Dominic Mercurio rounding out the top five.

In a tight team battle among New Albany, Westerville Central, and Gahanna Lincoln, it was Central that secured the upset. Behind standout races from Hohman and Morrissey, Andrew Gould provided a crucial spark for the Warhawks in his return from injury. Matthew Nieman and Gage Turpin rounded out the scoring as Central celebrated its first-ever conference title. New Albany finished runner-up and remains in a strong position for a state berth, while Gahanna Lincoln placed third, just nine points behind the Eagles.

OCC Cardinal Division

Individual Champion: Kole Hyer

Team Champion: Hilliard Darby

In perhaps the most competitive race of the day, Hyer claimed victory in the Cardinal Division with a blistering final kick, edging out Dublin Jerome’s Lincoln Kelly in a thrilling finish. Behind them, Ethan Ishida and Logan Behm finished just seconds apart, adding major implications to the team battle. Thomas Worthington’s Rishi Jha and Calvin Watson also broke the 16-minute barrier, with Watson looking impressive in his first conference championship appearance.

The team race was a thriller as Hilliard Darby earned a massive win over conference rivals Dublin Jerome and Olentangy Berlin. Darby proved to be a serious contender heading into regionals, with top performances from Hyer and Behm paving the way. Venny Kurapati also delivered a huge personal best, playing a major role in the Panthers’ victory. Jerome and Berlin both scored 54 points, but Jerome claimed runner-up honors via tiebreaker.

OCC Central Division

Individual Champion: Anton Shishlo

Team Champion: Olentangy Orange

While the Central Division wasn’t as deep as in years past, Hilliard Bradley’s Anton Shishlo impressed with a commanding victory. Clocking 15:52, Shishlo added another highlight to his standout senior season and made a statement that he’ll be tough to beat moving forward. Gordon Kimberly finished runner-up in 15:59, earning valuable points for his team in a close race. Olentangy Orange’s top finisher was Cowen Allender, who ran a solid 16:03 to lead the Pioneers.

As expected, Olentangy Orange cruised to the team title. Led by Allender’s strong front-running, Orange also got key performances from Sid Sivakumar, Sahil Kandhari, Adam Ellison, and Jackson McKinney. In the race for runner-up, Olentangy Liberty edged out Dublin Coffman by just one point. Their strong middle pack made the difference, as both teams now turn their focus to the regional meet.

As the final measuring stick for Division I schools before regionals, the OCC Championships featured standout performances across the board. Statements from programs like Westerville North and Hilliard Darby, combined with an incredible upset from Westerville Central, set the stage for a postseason race that promises to come right down to the wire.