State Meet Recap -Girls

It’s not often that one region dominates an entire state meet in the distance events—but at the 2025 OHSAA Division I State Championships, Central Ohio left no doubt about its standing. From the opening laps of the 4x800 to the final strides of the 3200 meters, Columbus-area programs put on a clinic—anchored by Hilliard Davidson’s Celia Schulte and the relentless consistency of Lancaster’s leaders.

Let’s dive into all four events.

800 Meters

Dominant. Clinical. Flawless. There’s no shortage of ways to describe what Celia Schulte did in the 800 meters.

The Hilliard Davidson junior didn’t just win the state title—she obliterated the field. Her 2:04 finish wasn’t just a PR; it was a statement that she’s now one of the nation’s elite mid-distance runners. She wasted no time asserting control, hitting the bell lap already clear of the field and widening the gap as the others scrambled for position.

This wasn’t a weak field either. Sydney Stevenson of Dover and Kaitlyn Reese of Avon both entered the meet with sub-2:12 credentials. There was chaos, yes—but only behind Schulte. The chase pack turned into a war zone, with five girls finishing between 2:09 and 2:13.

Caroline Murnan of Loveland made a big statement with her fifth-place finish. After anchoring her team’s 4x800 the day before, she came back for a season-best in the individual event—a clutch performance from a junior who’s been on the verge all year.

Grace Lavelle (Rocky River), Camryn Cayne (Solon), and Olivia Komperda (Brunswick) also cracked the top eight in a field where ten girls broke 2:13—an unheard-of number in most state meets.

But no one could touch Schulte. Her stride was smooth, her splits were even, and her kick? Ruthless. She didn’t just win—she commanded the race from gun to tape like a national-level contender.

1600 Meters

In the 1600 meters, Brooke Chapman of Olentangy Orange entered as a slight underdog—and left as a champion.

The junior had spent most of her season just under the radar: solid results, competitive races, but no signature win. That changed on the biggest stage. With a blazing final 150 meters, Chapman surged past the favorites to win in 4:46, holding off Daniela Scheffler and Hannah Jicha, who were both running lifetime bests.

It was one of the most thrilling finishes of the weekend, and it sparked a celebration—not just for Chapman, but for a program steadily gaining relevance on the state stage.

Meanwhile, Lancaster proved it was far more than just a relay powerhouse. Senior Marisa Heil was all business, placing fourth in 4:48, while junior Harper Allen delivered a clutch seventh-place finish. Two girls under 4:53 in the same race? That’s how you rack up team points at a state meet.

Also noteworthy: Minori Hudson of Dublin Coffman. Her eighth-place finish in 4:55 may not have made the loudest splash, but her composure during a chaotic final lap showed the maturity of a senior runner.

Add in Heidi Harmeyer (Seton) and Kaitlyn Reese (Avon), and the top eight featured five underclassmen—signaling that this event might be even deeper next spring.

3200 Meters

After narrowly missing the win in the 1600, Daniela Scheffler returned to the track with vengeance in her eyes. Her 10:21 performance in the 3200 was nearly as dominant as Schulte’s 800 earlier in the meet.

Scheffler controlled the race from start to finish. With a smooth cadence and disciplined pacing, she dared the field to respond—and none could. Her final lap was a victory lap in every sense. This was redemption, and it was sweet.

Marisa Heil, once again, delivered. Her 10:24 runner-up finish capped one of the most impressive doubles in recent OHSAA history. Two top-four finishes in less than 24 hours? That’s legendary.

But don’t overlook Natalie Fouts of Dublin Jerome. Her third-place 10:31 was a breakout moment. After lurking mid-pack through the early laps, she surged with 1200 meters to go and never looked back. Her final time was a massive PR, and her podium finish launches her into the spotlight heading into cross country.

We can’t forget to mention Teays Valley’s Katy Zang, who finished fifth in a stacked field. After suffering a serious injury at the end of last cross country season, she cross-trained vigorously to work back to full strength this track season.

Further back, Erica Kaulen of Hilliard Davidson fought through a grueling double to place sixth, while Heidi Harmeyer added an eighth-place finish to complete her own 1600/3200 scoring combo. The final tally? Four of the top eight were from Central Ohio.

4x800 Meter Relay

Hilliard Davidson’s quartet of Ashley Alsko, Erica Kaulen, Gemma Pusateri, and Celia Schulte ran like a well-oiled machine. Their 9:06 wasn’t just Ohio’s best time this year—it was nearly a full second ahead of an elite Lancaster team.

Alsko got them out clean, Kaulen delivered a disciplined second leg, and Pusateri positioned the team perfectly for Schulte. From there, it was academic. Schulte brought it home to seal a dominant win for the Wildcats.

To their credit, Lancaster gave everything. Heil and Allen were sharp, and Amelia Fries rose to the occasion. Their 9:07 would win most years—but not this one.

Strongsville, Perrysburg, and Avon rounded out a loaded top five, while Milford and Loveland added to the regional storyline with well-timed peaks.

But Davidson? They were the blueprint.

There’s no debate—Central Ohio owned the girls’ distance events at the 2025 OHSAA State Championships. Whether it was Schulte and Chapman’s elite solo efforts, Lancaster’s consistency and volume, or the rise of stars like Fouts and Hudson, this region wasn’t just deep. It was elite.

And with Schulte, Chapman, Fouts, Zang, Allen, and Kaulen all returning in 2026, the dynasty is far from over.