We’re back! After a brief hiatus, Buckeye Run Report is excited to return with the coverage this community deserves. In this article, we recap the notable action from the indoor season so far. As a reminder, our coverage moving forward will include Central Ohio schools in both Division I and II. Without further ado, let’s dive in!

800m

So far this season, the Central Ohio ladies have shown impressive depth in the 800m. Celia Schulte is picking up right where she left off last season, topping the time charts with an outstanding 2:10.79. Her teammate Gemma Pusateri has also turned heads early, running 2:23 at the first Wittenberg Qualifier and proving that Davidson will once again be the team to beat in the relays as well. Maddison Hobbs and Josie Cox have already broken the 2:20 barrier, clocking 2:17 and 2:18, respectively.

Olentangy Liberty’s Bridget Snider and Elena Aldrink have also laid down solid early-season marks, running 2:21 and 2:22. Additionally, Abigail Young, Nora Crabtree, Hadley Allen, Amelia Fries, Natalie Fouts, Brooke Chapman, and Maya Speed have all posted times of 2:25 or better. Central Ohio is deep in the 800m, and you can expect these names to continue climbing the state rankings throughout February.

1600m

Central Ohio has no shortage of strong performances in the 1600m either. Once again, Schulte sits atop the charts with a 4:56.40 run at the Boston Holiday Challenge. Teammates Erica Kaulen and Mackenzie Kline are also ranked in the Central Ohio top ten, posting times of 5:09 and 5:16, respectively.

Beyond Davidson’s dominance, Elena Aldrink’s 4:57 and Addison Caudill’s 5:00 are outstanding marks for this early in the season. Both athletes will be ones to watch throughout the remainder of the indoor season and as teams transition outdoors in late March.

Maddison Hobbs, Josie Cox, and Natalie Fouts have also dipped under the 5:15 barrier, solidifying their places near the top of the region. Additionally, Lucy Rush, Emma Donovan, Amelia Fries, Grace Buskirk, and Morgan Hamilton are all hovering near the top of the rankings as well. These athletes have shown excellent early-season fitness, and it will be exciting to see how much more they can improve in the coming months.

3200m

In the 3200m, Central Ohio’s consistency shines through once again. Katy Zang stands alone at the top of the regional rankings with a time of 10:17. With such an impressive early-season performance, Zang could be in for a special 2026 campaign.

Hilliard Davidson’s Erica Kaulen and Dublin Jerome’s Natalie Fouts are also exclusive members of the sub-11-minute club, proving that the tough winter miles they’ve logged are already paying dividends. Lucy Rush, Ruby Lewis, and Olivia Smeck have each clocked 11:17, providing strong competition toward the front of the rankings.

Additionally, Beth Baker, Kyla Benedict, Emma Donovan, Elsa Tonnessen, Sophia Tartaglia, Addison Ranly, and Ella Luker have all showcased the strong aerobic bases they built over the winter. Look for these athletes to continue stacking quality training and dropping their times over the final weeks of the indoor season.

Overall, one word sums up the early months of girls’ indoor track: consistency. Across all three individual distance events, it’s clear that Central Ohio is home to some of the premier talent in the state of Ohio. Big names like Schulte, Kaulen, Aldrink, and Zang have opened their indoor seasons with a bang, reminding the rest of the state why they are the athletes to beat.

That said, the indoor season is still young, so don’t be surprised if even more eye-opening marks appear as these runners compete their way into peak race shape. The remainder of the indoor season should be a treat to watch as athletes battle up the state rankings for a spot at the indoor state meet in early March. Beyond that, many of these athletes have goals that extend well past indoor track, and the stage is already being set for what could be a special outdoor season in Central Ohio.