Central Ohio Girls State Recap

The Central Ohio girls' cross-country teams had an unforgettable season, showcasing how much talent and determination fueled their progress. From setting new personal records to achieving impressive team placements, these runners transformed from contenders to clear dominators at the state level. It was a season filled with thrilling finishes, breakout performances, and incredible depth across the board, with Central Ohio runners stepping up in nearly every race.

Central Ohio Top Individual: Brooke Chapman (Olentangy Orange)

Central Ohio Top Team: Lancaster

The Central Ohio girls’ teams dominated, taking the top two spots—a remarkable achievement. Lancaster pulled off an upset over the favored Hilliard Davidson, thanks largely to standout performances by Marisa Heil and the rest of Lancaster’s top five. Other Central Ohio team finishes included Gahanna in 9th, Jerome in 13th, Olentangy Liberty in 15th, and Olentangy Orange in 16th.

One of the day’s standout performances came from defending 1600 state champ Brooke Chapman, who finished as the state runner-up in cross country. Chapman clocked a PR on the big stage with a blazing 17:12, barely edging out Marisa Heil, who took third by less than a third of a second, also with a 17:12. Central Ohio placed a third runner in the top four, with Elena Aldrink from Olentangy Liberty finishing 4th in 17:23.

Adding to Central Ohio's incredible day were Natalie Fouts (Jerome), Erica Kaulen (Davidson), and Bella Conforti (Orange), who claimed 9th, 10th, and 11th respectively, giving Region 3 six runners in the top 11. Other All-Ohioans who deserve recognition include Celia Schulte (Davidson), Harper Allen (Lancaster), Kaitlyn Van Zandt (Watterson), Mia Eberhardt (Pickerington North), and Lainey Fauth (Thomas Worthington). Central Ohio secured 11 of the All-Ohio spots—an impressive feat, given that only 20 runners from Region 3 qualified for the meet.

When it came down to team scoring, Lancaster’s third and fourth runners made the difference, allowing them to pull ahead of Hilliard Davidson by a crucial 17-point margin. Gahanna Lincoln clinched a top-10 finish this year, driven by a solid 1-4 pack. Olentangy Liberty managed to edge out Orange, despite Orange boasting the 1st and 11th individual finishers, revealing the depth struggles Orange is facing.

This year, the girls showed massive improvement compared to last season. Central Ohio went from placing just one team in the top five in 2023 to taking the top two spots in the entire state this year. They also increased their number of All-Ohio runners from eight last year to 11 this season. Chapman and Heil each made huge strides as well, moving up from 4th and 6th last year to 2nd and 3rd respectively in 2024.

Central Ohio’s performance this season was nothing short of remarkable, demonstrating the strength, depth, and resilience of its girls’ cross-country programs. From leading the team rankings to earning individual podium finishes, these athletes exceeded expectations and left their mark on the state. With so many standout races and a bright outlook for the future, Central Ohio’s cross-country scene continues to set a high bar in Ohio sports.