BRR Girls Preseason Individual XC Rankings 2025

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BRR Girls Preseason Individual XC Rankings 2025

Disclaimer: With the announcement of expanded cross country divisions by the OHSAA, our coverage this year will include both Division 1 and Division 2. This change also brought an alteration to the postseason structure of cross country.

For Division 1 girls, district meets have been eliminated, creating a gap week where that competition once was. All teams in the region will now compete in one large “Super-Regional” meet. Eight teams will qualify for the state meet, along with the top 16 individuals whose teams did not qualify.

For Division 2 girls, district meets will remain. Twelve total teams and 24 total individuals will advance to regionals. From there, the top five teams and the top 10 individuals whose teams did not qualify will move on to the state meet.

Division 1 Rankings

Katy Zang – Emerging this year as the D1 favorite, Zang has earned the respect of the running world by consistently delivering impressive performances. The Teays Valley junior (class of 2026) ran a blistering 16:55 at the Berlin Bear Den Dash to secure first place, and later won her district with a standout 17:10.
Brooke Chapman – Coming off an outstanding track season, where she won her second state title in the 1600m with a 4:46.58, Chapman carries plenty of momentum into cross country. After finishing runner-up at last year’s state meet with a 17:12, she is firmly in the mix to win it all this fall.
Natalie Fouts – Ranked third is Dublin Jerome senior Natalie Fouts. She placed 9th at last year’s state meet with a 17:48 and owns a PR of 17:22 from the Berlin Bear Den Dash, making her one of the top returners in the region.
Elena Aldrink – Aldrink takes the fourth spot after a breakthrough 2023 season. She dropped more than a minute from her previous best, running 17:23 to place 4th at state, and showed tremendous potential for this year.
Celia Schulte – With a phenomenal track season highlighted by a state championship in the 800m (2:04.65, a state record), Schulte brings big-time credentials to cross country. The Hilliard Davidson senior owns a PR of 17:43 from her win at the Les Eisenhart Invitational and ran 18:04 for 16th at the state meet. Expect her to challenge the front pack this fall.
Erica Kaulen – In the sixth spot is Kaulen, who finished 10th at the state meet last year in 17:50. The senior has the experience and the talent to make a jump this season.
Bella Conforti – Conforti, now a junior, impressed with an 11th-place finish at last year’s state meet, where she ran a PR of 17:52. She’s a solid contender to move up even further this fall.
Harper Allen – Lancaster senior Harper Allen slots in at 8th after a strong 17th-place finish at state (18:07). She’s a consistent performer and one to watch closely.
Lainey Fauth – Fauth had a strong 2023 season, highlighted by an 18:18 PR at her district meet and a 28th-place finish at state (18:27). She enters this fall with momentum.
Aubrey Smith – Grove City senior Aubrey Smith rounds out the top 10. She ran a season-best 18:30 for 4th at the McGowan Invitational and looks to make more noise this year.
Brooke Derringer – Derringer ran her PR of 18:30 at the state meet, placing 30th. She’s well-positioned to climb higher this fall.
Josie Cox – Ranked 12th, Cox turned heads as an underclassman last year, placing 31st at state with a PR of 18:30. The junior should continue to improve.
Sophia Tartaglia – Tartaglia takes 13th after finishing 49th at state (18:57). Her 18:33 at districts showed her upside.
Ruby Lewis – Lewis ended last season with an 18:59 at state but proved her potential with an 18:34 at the Celtic Clash. She’ll be looking to carry her momentum off a breakout track season in 2025.
Reese Galinger – In 15th, Galinger had a breakout 18:35 PR at state (33rd place). With a strong track season behind her, she has the momentum to move up.
Addison Caudill – Caudill, a Licking Heights junior, ran her PR of 18:39 to win the Newark Invitational. She also qualified for state, finishing 60th in 19:04.
Ava Alexander – Just a freshman last year, Alexander impressed with an 18:49 PR at the loaded Celtic Clash. Now a sophomore, she’ll look to solidify herself among Ohio’s best.
Amelia Fries – Fries is another young runner to watch. She ran 18:53.84 for 18th at the Berlin Bear Den Dash and is coming off a strong track season.
Kyla Benedict – Already opening this fall with a win at the New Albany XC Invitational, Benedict is trending upward. Her PR of 18:55 came at last year’s district meet.
Jillian Randolph – Randolph broke 19 minutes for the first time at regionals and carried that momentum into state, where she ran her PR of 18:59 to place 53rd. A gritty racer, she rounds out the top 20.

Division 2 Rankings

Kaitlyn Van Zandt – Returning with a strong PR of 18:08, Van Zandt looks poised to dominate Division 2. She placed 18th at the D1 state meet last year and is only a sophomore, making her one of the state’s brightest young stars.
Lydia Price – Price enters her senior season after running 18:25 last year, establishing herself as one of Central Ohio’s top D2 runners. She’ll be in the hunt for a state podium finish.
Ella Luker – A district champion in 2024, Luker now faces the challenge of Division 2 competition as schools shift divisions. She’ll look to prove herself again against both new and familiar rivals.
Miriam Rule – Rule picked up two meet victories last year and ran 18:45 at the Celtic Clash. She’s ready to lower her times further and contend in D2.
Lucy Rush – Rush thrived at the regional meet last year, dropping 13 seconds to run 18:47. With another year of growth, she’s set up well for 2024.
Leigha Kay – The reigning OCC Capital champion, Kay ran 18:54 to qualify out of regionals last season. With two strong training partners on this list, she’s primed for another big year.
Leah Price – The twin sister of Lydia, Leah enters her senior season after a PR of 19:09 last fall. The Price duo will be a force this season.
Claire Speakman – Speakman posted a PR of 19:14 in 2024 and won her home invitational. She’ll look to close out her senior season with even stronger results.
Grace Buskirk – One of three Big Walnut runners on this list, Buskirk ran 5:11 in the 1600m this spring, showcasing her speed. Her focus now shifts back to cross country, where she’ll aim for a breakout.
Leighton Coey – Rounding out Big Walnut’s trio, Coey ran 19:23. last fall and later placed 4th in the 800m at the D2 indoor state meet. That speed could translate well on the grass.
Addison Ranly – The second Jonathan Alder runner on this list, Ranly ran 19:29 last season and is ready to step up as a senior leader.
Lillian Stepp – Canal Winchester’s Stepp returns after a solid sophomore season that included a runner-up finish at her home invitational. She looks to build on that momentum.
Cecilia Keller – Keller, the #2 on Bishop Watterson’s strong squad, ran 19:39 last year and is well-positioned to contribute to both her team’s and her own success.
Peyton Hughey – Hughey adds to Canal Winchester’s depth. Running closely with Stepp, she’ll be key to her team’s postseason push.
Samantha Schmiesing – Schmiesing leads Bishop Watterson’s deep pack, which had a spread of just seven seconds last year. After placing 23rd at the D1 district meet, she’s hungry to push her team into the state conversation.
Lilli Glatz – The fourth Watterson runner on the list, Glatz ran 19:53 at districts last year. Expect continued improvement from her this fall.
Addie Reineck – Another piece of Watterson’s loaded lineup, Reineck posted a 19:57 at her conference meet and will look to go under 20 more consistently.
Alaina Fisher – Fisher rounds out Watterson’s scoring five with a 19:59 from the Seneca East meet. She gives this team unmatched depth heading into 2024.
Elsa Tonnessen – Granville’s Tonnessen emerged as her team’s top runner as a freshman, posting a 20:01 at regionals. With a year of experience, she’s set to lead a deep pack this season.
Caroline Kitsmiller – Closing out the D2 top 20 is Bishop Hartley’s Kitsmiller, her team’s front-runner. She ran 20:04 at last year’s Celtic Clash and will aim to break the 20-minute barrier this fall.