The Ohio cross-country scene is heating up as we approach the highly anticipated conference championships. Teams and athletes from the Ohio Division, Buckeye Division, and Central Catholic League are ready to showcase their talent and battle for the top spots. With dominant squads like Gahanna Lincoln and Lancaster, as well as individual stars like Aubrey Smith and Katy Zang, these races promise to be a thrilling display of talent and endurance. Let’s dive into our predictions for the team and individual champions from these competitive divisions.

Ohio Division 

Our predicted Individual Champion: Aubrey Smith

Our Predicted Team Champion: Gahanna Lincoln Lions

Let’s keep this relatively simple, Gahanna Lincoln has won this conference every cross country season since the last major realignment, and I’m very confident in Gahanna’s ability to keep that streak going. The Lions have four of the top-seven performers on their roster, in addition to individual title contender Ruby Lewis. If Gahanna has an off day, then expect New Albany to mount a challenge for the title. 

Flipping over to the individual side, the top-two individuals are Grove City junior Aubrey Smith and the aforementioned Gahanna junior Ruby Lewis. Lewis is someone who I'd classify as a true long distance runner who excels on the grass. Smith is most definitely the opposite (not to suggest that she’s bad on the grass, her 18:34 5k personal best is nothing to scoff at), but she’s made her name as one the region’s top milers, with a 5:06 PR that few can match. Due to Smith’s better footspeed, I’m giving her the slight nod, but this is another race where the result truly feels like it could go either way when the gun goes off on Saturday morning. 

Central Catholic League

Our predicted Individual Champion: Kaitlyn Van Zandt

Our Predicted Team Champion: Bishop Watterson Eagles 

While not a part of the Ohio Capital Conference, we felt it was right to include the Central Catholic League in these predictions, as all of the schools are located in the Central Ohio Region. The league has consistently produced some sneaky good talent over the years (including mother who was a two-time All-State runner for Columbus Girls for Girls). 

Looking at this year, the team competition has a clear favorite, the Bishop Watterson Eagles. Bishop Watterson athletes hold five of the top-six performances in the league, including the only athlete under 19 minutes, Kaitlyn Van Zandt. 

Unsurprisingly, we’ve picked the freshman Van Zandt as our pick for the individual title favorite, she’s ran under 19 minutes on three occasions this season, and her seasonal best of 18:17 (5k) is roughly a minute faster than the next fastest performer in the conference, Columbus DeSales senior Annie See. 

As we look ahead to the championship races, the stage is set for some impressive performances. Gahanna Lincoln and Lancaster are heavy favorites to dominate their respective divisions, while individuals like Aubrey Smith, Katy Zang, and Kaitlyn Van Zandt are expected to shine in their pursuit of victory. Whether it's a near-perfect score from Lancaster or a tight individual battle in the Ohio Division, this weekend will be a defining moment for Central Ohio cross-country. Expect fast times, close finishes, and plenty of excitement.