Girls Division 1 Central Ohio Review

Central Ohio’s top Division 1 girls distance runners took center stage this past weekend at the Indoor State Championships, delivering a series of impressive performances across all four distance events. From dominant relay finishes to thrilling individual showdowns, the region produced multiple state champions, podium finishes, and major personal bests. With the indoor season now in the books, these performances set the tone for what should be an exciting outdoor season ahead.

Kicking off the day was the 4x800 meter relay, where heavy favorite Hilliard Davidson lived up to expectations by capturing the state title. Staying out front for much of the race, 800 meter standout Celia Schulte anchored the Lady Wildcats to a 9:10 finish, a time that currently ranks fifth in the nation. Central Ohio’s depth in this event was on full display, as three other area teams — Lancaster, Olentangy Orange, and Olentangy Liberty — also earned All-Ohio honors. Lancaster’s time of 9:28 was particularly impressive, landing them within the top 50 times in the nation this season.

The 1600 meter run saw less dominant results but still produced a few notable performances. With projected All-Ohio finisher Marisa Heil scratching the event to conserve energy for the 3200, Olentangy Orange’s Brooke Chapman, last year’s outdoor state champion, was left as Central Ohio’s best shot at a top finish. Coming off the 4x800 earlier in the day, Chapman didn’t quite have the legs to secure another state title but still managed to place fourth in 5:02. She was the only Central Ohio runner to earn All-Ohio honors in the event, but Ashley Alsko, Lainey Fauth, and Mackenzie Kline finished 10th, 11th, and 12th, with Alsko and Kline both recording significant personal bests.

As expected, Celia Schulte delivered a commanding performance in the 800 meter run, dominating the field to capture her second state title of the day. Her time of 2:09.20 was five seconds clear of the runner-up, further solidifying her status as one of the nation’s top middle-distance runners. Joining her on the podium was Dublin Coffman’s Minori Hudson, who placed sixth with a massive personal best of 2:15.54. Olentangy Liberty’s Bridget Snider also finished 12th in 2:22.44.

The final distance event of the day, the 3200 meter run, provided Central Ohio with its most dominant showing of the meet. Five of the top six finishers hailed from the region, headlined by Dublin Jerome’s Natalie Fouts, who captured the state title in 10:36. Fouts pulled off a significant upset, outlasting Lancaster’s Marisa Heil and Olentangy Liberty’s Elena Aldrink, who finished sixth and third, respectively. Olentangy Orange’s Bella Conforti and Hilliard Davidson’s Erica Kaulen also delivered standout performances, placing fourth and fifth with large personal bests. Central Ohio’s depth in the distance events was undeniable, as the region walked away with multiple state titles, podium finishes, and major personal bests to cap off an impressive day.

The Indoor State Championships once again highlighted Central Ohio’s deep talent in girls distance running. With two individual state titles, a state championship relay, and numerous All-Ohio finishes, the region made its presence felt on the biggest stage. As these athletes shift their focus toward the outdoor season, expect many of them to build on this momentum and continue competing at the highest level in the state.