With the conference championships approaching, many teams chose to rest their varsity runners this past weekend to prepare for the postseason. Nonetheless, it was still an exciting weekend of racing, highlighted by strong individual performances and impressive team showings. This week’s meet in the spotlight is the Les Eisenhart Invitational, with other Central Ohio teams competing across various meets.

Les Eisenhart Invitational Recap

Team Champion: Thomas Worthington

Individual Champion: Anton Shishlo

The Eisenhart Invitational once again lived up to its reputation as one of the premier meets in Ohio, featuring a top-level course and an electric racing environment. It was a sunny day, and the course heated up quickly, yet we still witnessed some outstanding performances from Central Ohio athletes. From start to finish, the meet showcased the depth and quality of competition that define this region.

Individually, Hilliard Bradley’s Anton Shishlo delivered another stellar performance to place third overall, while Thomas Worthington’s Rishi Jha and Olentangy Liberty’s Gordon Kimberly also turned in impressive sub-16 efforts. Several other Central Ohio runners broke the 16:30 barrier, fueling a thrilling team battle in the process.

In that team battle, host Thomas Worthington emerged as the top squad, displaying both depth and front-end strength from leaders like Rishi Jha and standout freshman Calvin Watson. Close behind, Dublin Coffman continued its strong season with solid finishes that kept the standings tight. With performances like these, the Eisenhart Invitational once again underscored just how competitive and talented the Central Ohio cross country scene has become.

Looking Ahead

While many teams opted to rest their top runners during the final week of regular-season racing, we still caught a glimpse of what’s to come in the postseason. Programs like Thomas Worthington will look to carry their momentum into conference championships, while individuals such as Anton Shishlo, Rishi Jha, and Gordon Kimberly aim to establish themselves among the state’s elite. The Central Ohio field appears to be one of the deepest in recent memory, setting the stage for a thrilling postseason.