NXR Midwest Review

With the state postseason completed, Ohio’s top runners traveled to Terre Haute, Indiana, to conclude their cross country season at Nike Cross Country Regionals this past weekend. Ohio boasts a strong history in the championship races at this meet, and this year further solidified that legacy. While team performance challenges persisted, Ohio fared much better on the individual side. This article will break down those results.

Boys: This year, Ohio brought a strong contingent of individual competitors to the championship race. Leading the way was this year’s state champion, Tippecanoe’s Landon Kimmel, who placed fourth with a time of 14:52, earning an individual qualification to NXN. Joining Kimmel in the top 20 were Steubenville Catholic’s Andrew Rhode (13th), Rittman’s Luke Snyder (17th), and Dublin Jerome’s Charlie Guerrera (18th). Massillon Jackson's Eli Ilg and St. Xavier’s Indiana commit Alex Bruns were in the mix early but ultimately finished just outside the top 20, placing 21st and 23rd, respectively.

On the team side, Ohio had a tougher outing. The highest-placing team was Mason, which finished ninth. Dublin Jerome (14th) and Fairfield Union (16th) were the only other Ohio teams to crack the top 20 in the championship race. Notably, two Central Ohio teams, Dublin Scioto and Westerville North, each won their respective open races.

Girls: The Ohio girls finally broke their streak of no individual qualifications last weekend. Uniontown Lake’s Daniella Scheffler placed fifth with an impressive time of 17:11, earning her spot at nationals. Other top individuals performed well, with Olentangy Orange’s Brooke Chapman finishing sixth, just shy of qualifying, and Lancaster’s Marisa Heil (9th), Olentangy Liberty’s Elena Aldrink (13th), and Strongsville’s Hannah Jicha (18th) rounding out the top 20 finishers. Avon’s Kaitlyn Reese and Lakota West’s Evelyn Prodoehl narrowly missed the top 20, placing 21st and 22nd.

Despite early optimism, Ohio’s best girls' teams struggled to match the depth of larger schools from other states. Hilliard Davidson led the race at the first mile but fell in the standings as the race progressed. Lancaster finished as Ohio’s top team in seventh place, with Hilliard Davidson also placing in the top 10, finishing ninth. Notably, Ohio teams claimed victory in each of the three open races.

Ohio's runners showcased their talent at Nike Cross Country Regionals, with standout individual performances leading the way. Landon Kimmel and Daniella Scheffler’s national qualifications highlighted the state’s strength on the boys’ and girls’ sides, while multiple athletes placed prominently in the championship races. Although Ohio’s team results fell short of expectations, the victories in the open races demonstrated the depth of talent across the state. With performances like these, Ohio remains a key player in the regional cross-country scene.