The Division I girls state championship did not disappoint in the slightest. Prior to the race, we laid out our projections for the top five individuals and top three teams. These included familiar names such as Elena Aldrink, Katy Zang, Kaitlyn Reese, Brooke Chapman, and Natalie Fouts, along with Central Ohio powerhouses Gahanna Lincoln, Hilliard Davidson, and Olentangy Liberty. While several of our projected favorites lived up to expectations, the sheer depth of talent made this race nearly impossible to predict. Without spoiling too much, it’s safe to say that the 2025 OHSAA Division I Girls State Championship was nothing short of a Central Ohio masterclass.

Top Five Individual Finishers: Elena Aldrink, Brooke Chapman, Erica Kaulen, Hannah Jicha, Kaitlyn Reese

Top Three Team Scorers: Gahanna Lincoln, Hilliard Davidson, Avon

To begin, clear favorite Elena Aldrink, an Olentangy Liberty senior, took home the state title with a time of 17:25, ten seconds ahead of second place. The Washington commit has proven unstoppable all season, boasting an undefeated record. After dominating at the regional meet and with perfect race-day conditions, Aldrink looked every bit the champion we expected. We’re excited to see what more she can accomplish moving into national meets and the upcoming track season, where she has already shown tremendous strength, particularly in the 3200m.

In second place, Brooke Chapman of Olentangy Orange delivered when it mattered most, clocking her second-fastest time of the season in 17:35. Although her cross country season hasn’t been as flashy as Aldrink’s, the Ohio State commit reaffirmed her championship-caliber talent after claiming the 1600m state title last spring.

Behind the top two, it was a fierce battle between Erica Kaulen, Hannah Jicha, and Kaitlyn Reese, who finished within just three seconds of each other. Kaulen wasn’t projected in our top five, but she delivered an outstanding performance, rounding out an all–Central Ohio top three. Her effort, paired with strong races from teammates Mackenzie Kline (16th) and Celia Schulte (25th), propelled Hilliard Davidson to a runner-up team finish.

Kaitlyn Reese’s fifth-place finish helped Avon edge out Liberty for third place. Although Hilliard Davidson (136 points) and Avon (169) both put up impressive totals, they were no match for Gahanna Lincoln’s dominance. The Lions scored a staggering 81 points, blowing the rest of the field out of the water. Their effort was led by Ruby Lewis in sixth and Abigail Young in 11th, with Jillian Gomez and Olivia Smeck close behind in 23rd and 24th.

Continuing in the rankings were several other Central Ohio teams, including Upper Arlington (6th), Teays Valley (8th), and Dublin Jerome and Lancaster, who finished 10th and 11th respectively. See! We told you it was a Central Ohio masterclass.

Unfortunately, Katy Zang wasn’t able to deliver the performance we expected, and it simply wasn’t her day. We’re confident she’ll bounce back strong this spring, where she’s a standout in both the 800m and 1600m. Her teammate Reese Galinger, however, impressed with a 15th-place finish, running just eight seconds shy of her personal best in 18:30. Dublin Jerome’s Natalie Fouts also fell slightly below projections, but with such a competitive field and great conditions, surprises were bound to happen.

As we turn the page to track season, many of these athletes will look to build on their fall success, or find redemption on the oval. Expect familiar names like Aldrink and Chapman to make headlines once again in the 1600m and 3200m, while rising stars from Gahanna Lincoln and Hilliard Davidson continue to showcase the depth of Central Ohio distance running.