As the cross-country season kicked off in Central Ohio, the opening weekend brought both excitement and clarity to the girls’ racing landscape. Two major meets, the Pickerington North XC Classic and the Big Walnut Eagle Twilight, gave fans an early glimpse of standout individuals and teams primed for strong seasons. From gritty individual triumphs to decisive team victories, the first week highlighted both veteran frontrunners and emerging threats, setting the stage for what promises to be a competitive fall campaign.

Pickerington North XC Classic

Individual Champion: Elena Aldrink

Team Champion: Olentangy Liberty Patriots

In the season opener at Pickerington North, Liberty’s Elena Aldrink made a statement by winning the race in 17:46, her powerful performance leading the Patriots to the team title. It was a clear sign she’s working her way back to the top of Ohio distance running after a disappointing junior track season.

Katy Zang fought through adversity, falling twice during the race but still claiming second in 18:14. Despite the setbacks, she turned frustration into determination, making a fiery post-race declaration: “I’m not losing again, I promise.” With Aldrink back in state-champion form, Zang’s words hint at a rivalry that could define the season. Rounding out the podium was Erica Kaulen of Hilliard Davidson, whose third-place finish anchored Davidson’s strong showing en route to second place in the team standings.

This meet showcased three of Central Ohio’s biggest stars- Aldrink, Zang, and Kaulen each displaying grit in different ways. On the team side, the battle between Liberty and Davidson promises to be one of the defining storylines of the season. Liberty will lean on Aldrink’s front-running power and a consistently tight pack, while Davidson’s chances will hinge on Kaulen’s leadership and the firepower of returning 800m state champion Celia Schulte.

Big Walnut Eagle Twilight

Individual Champion: Grace Buskirk

Team Champion: Watkins Memorial Warriors

The Big Walnut Eagle Twilight delivered a different but equally compelling narrative. Big Walnut’s Grace Buskirk thrilled the home crowd with a memorable victory, crossing the line first in 19:14. Close behind, Kate Michael of Watkins Memorial secured runner-up honors in 19:27, while Ava Pazak of Olentangy Orange placed third in 19:43. Orange appeared to rest some of its top runners, but Pazak’s gritty performance kept them in the mix.

On the team side, Watkins Memorial emerged victorious, showing balance and strength throughout their lineup. Big Walnut finished second, while Olentangy Orange leaned on its depth to secure third despite missing key contributors.

Other Notable Action

While the Pickerington North XC Classic and Big Walnut Eagle Twilight were the premier meets of the week, several other performances stood out across the region. Last year’s state champions traveled to Centerville’s Saturday Night Lights meet, where Harper Allen and Brooke Derringer delivered strong performances against Southeast Ohio’s best. Mount Vernon’s Lucy Rush impressed at Buckeye Valley’s Baron Blast, while Kaitlyn Van Zandt led the Watterson girls to an easy victory at the Newark Catholic Invitational. The Lady Lions from Gahanna also continued their strong start with a team win at the Dan Reid Invitational, building on their season-opening victory at the OHSAA Early Season Invitational.

Looking Ahead

With the first full week of racing in the books, the season has already revealed just how sharp and prepared these athletes are. Aldrink, Zang, and Kaulen showed why they’ll be central figures in the weeks ahead, while Grace Buskirk stamped her name as a rising contender at Big Walnut. On the team side, Liberty and Davidson set the tone with their clash at Pick North, and their battle could extend all the way to the state meet. Davidson enters the season with championship credentials, having finished runner-up at last year’s state cross-country meet and captured the team state title in track this spring, making them one of Ohio’s most dangerous squads once again.

As the season unfolds and the meets grow bigger, these early results are laying the groundwork for postseason battles. The tension between individual brilliance and team depth will only sharpen as district and regional meets approach. The opening weekend provided a glimpse of both resilience and rising momentum—a reminder that while the road to November is long, the fight for state glory has already begun.