After an incredible regular season, it’s time to dive into the three sections of the Central District, covering all of Central Ohio. Arguably the strongest district, Section 3 is stacked with impressive talent, and we wanted to highlight the runners and teams set to compete. In this section, 20 individuals and 5 teams from both the boys' and girls' races will qualify for the Regional Championships.

Boys Race

Projected Individual Champion: Charles Guerrera (Dublin Jerome)

Projected Team Champion: Dublin Jerome Celtics

Projected Team Qualifiers: Dublin Jerome, Dublin Scioto, New Albany, Hilliard Darby, Worthington Kilbourne

This section is loaded with talent, and at the front, we’re expecting a thrilling battle. With 10 runners already posting sub-16-minute times this season, Hilliard Darby’s fast course could see even more runners break that barrier.

Leading the way is Charlie Guerrera, who is expected to run ahead of the field. His closest challengers will likely be teammate Ethan Ishida and Granville’s Cohen Stump. The chase pack is just as competitive, with New Albany’s Marcus Speed and standout freshman Austin Benedict pushing for top spots. Other contenders like McKinley Norman, Cayden McClure, Lincoln Kelly, and Michal Kinzer will be fighting for individual qualification, making this one of the most competitive district races in the state. On paper, a sub-16:20 might be needed just to qualify individually for Regionals.

The top three teams—Dublin Scioto, Dublin Jerome, and Hilliard Darby—all boast impressive averages under 16:10, making their path to Regionals seem certain. However, after the top three, the battle for the final two qualifying spots will be intense. New Albany looks poised to take the fourth spot but lacks the experience of more seasoned teams.

The fight for fifth will be especially close. Worthington Kilbourne, with the tightest pack (49-second spread), is a strong candidate, relying on its pack-running strategy. Granville, with one of the widest spreads at 2:07, depends on Cohen Stump’s front-running and will need a strong showing from its fifth runner. Don’t count out Big Walnut as a dark horse—they’ve rebuilt well after losing key runners and could surprise everyone with a breakout performance.

Girls Race

Projected Individual Champion: Brooke Chapman (Olentangy Orange)

Projected Team Champion: Hilliard Davidson Wildcats

Projected Team Qualifiers: Bishop Watterson, Hilliard Davidson, Olentangy Orange, Thomas Worthington, Dublin Coffman

In Section 3, Hilliard Davidson is the clear favorite, with some even calling them one of the best teams in the country. Expect something special from them this weekend.

The battle for second and third will likely come down to Bishop Watterson and Olentangy Orange, with Watterson holding the edge. All five of Watterson’s runners are projected to finish in the top 22, making it a tough challenge for Orange to overcome, despite their individual star power. Orange has the biggest spread (3:40 between their first and fifth runners), which could be a concern as they move toward Regionals and States.

Like the boys’ race, the fight for the fourth and fifth team spots will be tight. Thomas Worthington, DeSales, Dublin Coffman, and Bradley are all in contention, with Kilbourne close behind. Coffman stands out with a much smaller spread, which could be the deciding factor.

On the individual side, Brooke Chapman (Olentangy Orange) and Celia Schulte (Hilliard Davidson) will be battling for the district title, with Chapman the likely favorite. However, upsets are always possible. Following them closely are Chapman’s teammate Bella Conforti and Schulte’s teammate Erica Kaulen, making for a top four dominated by Orange and Davidson runners.

As the postseason heats up, the stage is set for thrilling performances on both the boys' and girls' sides. Dublin Scioto and Dublin Jerome stand out as strong contenders in the boys' race, showcasing depth and consistency, while New Albany and Kilbourne battle fiercely to secure the final qualifying spots. On the girls' side, Brooke Chapman leads the charge with Celia Schulte close behind, setting the stage for an intense fight for top spots as these athletes prepare to leave everything on the course.

Click here for full team start lists and meet information