Division II looks a bit different this year after the statewide realignment, with several new teams entering the mix and a familiar star headlining the field. Last year’s Division I state champion Landon Kimmel leads a reshaped group that blends returning contenders with fresh faces eager to make their mark at Fortress Obetz. With perfect weather in the forecast and plenty of storylines to follow, this year’s race has all the makings of a memorable one.

Top 5 Individual Finisher Projections: Landon Kimmel, Latrell Hughes, Will Wells, Crew McDaniel, Jacob Proctor

Top 3 Individual Team Projections: Lexington, Hudson, Bowling Green

With the realignment of divisions, last year’s Division I state champion and state meet record holder Landon Kimmel will now be competing in Division II. With even less competition this year, a second state title for the Tippecanoe senior and Tulsa commit seems all but guaranteed. The better question is: will he break his own state meet record? After dealing with a significant injury that forced him to sit out both indoor and outdoor track, Kimmel has had to work his way back to health this season. Based on his results so far, I’d guess he’s in similar shape to where he was last year, so this should be very close. With the weather set to be pristine tomorrow afternoon, I would be surprised if he doesn’t at least dip under 14:40.

My pick to finish as runner-up is Lexington senior Latrell Hughes, whose range makes him a unicorn. He was last year’s DII runner-up, finishing second in 15:13. While it’s nearly impossible to best Landon Kimmel, I wouldn’t completely rule it out. Hughes is a special kind of athlete, one I’ve never seen before, with personal bests of 10.8 in the 100, 48.01 in the 400, 1:48.46 in the 800, and 15:13 in the cross country 5K, all while skipping indoor season to be one of the best basketball players in the state. It’s hard to predict exactly how fast he’ll run, but anything is on the table for Hughes.

After the top two, there’s a drop in competition. Revere senior Will Wells is my pick for third place, already boasting an impressive 15:05 from a fast race at the Trinity Valkyrie Invitational. Following Wells, Hudson’s Crew McDaniel, Anthony Wayne’s Jacob Proctor and Benjamin Gasiorski, Tallmadge’s Donevan Noah, and New Philadelphia’s Marcus Adelman are all runners to watch.

In terms of Central Ohio competitors, several athletes could contend for All-Ohio honors, even if they’re not quite at the very top of the field. Canal Winchester’s Grant Hamilton, Jonathan Alder’s Lincoln Wilson, Hartley’s Rowan Smith, Dublin Scioto’s Michael Kinzer, London’s Cameron Carn, and Watterson’s Jack Hangen have each had excellent seasons, putting them in good position to excel at Fortress Obetz.

For the team race, I expect Lexington to run away with the title. Led by Hughes, they’re projected to have four runners score under 30 points, a mark that’s tough for any other team to match. Additionally, their fifth and sixth scorers are projected around 50 points, showing that even if one runner has an off day, they have the depth to stay on top.

Behind them, I project Hudson and Bowling Green to finish second and third. Both are new to Division II and will look to make names for themselves as emerging powerhouses. Hudson is led by the duo of Crew McDaniel and Bradley Schuster and backed by three strong supporting runners. Bowling Green’s strength lies in its tight pack, with a 1–5 spread of just 31 seconds, an impressively small gap. While I don’t expect either team to dethrone Lexington, I’m confident both will put together strong finishes.

Given that most of the prominent Central Ohio schools remained in Division I, I don’t expect any podium finishes from the DII qualifiers. Watterson remains the best of the bunch, with potential to finish around the top seven teams. Without more depth, however, their upside is limited in such a large field, a trend that holds true for the rest of the Central Ohio team qualifiers.

Between Kimmel’s pursuit of another record-breaking performance and Lexington’s dominance on the team front, Division II should deliver an exciting showcase of depth and talent. While Central Ohio programs may not be in podium contention this time around, several individuals are well-positioned to earn All-Ohio honors and finish their seasons on a high note. Expect fast times, fierce competition, and a fitting close to a strong fall campaign.