As the postseason looms over the 2025 cross country season, standout performances from both teams and individuals continue to prove that Central Ohio is deep in distance running talent. Spanning multiple meets, the weekend was filled with dominant showings from top contenders, confirming they’ll be the ones to watch as the season rolls along.

Lancaster Bob Reall Invitational

Individual Champion: Sophia Szolosi

Team Champion: Gahanna Lincoln

In a commanding performance, Sophia Szolosi swept the field at Lancaster, running a blistering 17:46.09 to secure the win. This was especially impressive given both the level of competition and the difficulty of the course. Ruby Lewis of Gahanna Lincoln finished second in 18:24.71.

Gahanna Lincoln once again proved they are a team to keep an eye on. With runners placing 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, they tallied just 35 points. The next closest team, Lancaster, scored 102. This dominant victory gives Gahanna plenty of confidence heading into the postseason.

Pickerington Central Tiger Invitational

Individual Champion: Kyla Benedict

Team Champion: Canal Winchester

Coming off a strong performance at the Central Ohio Invitational a week ago, Kyla Benedict backed it up with another victory at Pickerington North. While some of the top Division I competitors were not in attendance, Benedict still added another win to her standout sophomore campaign. With back-to-back titles, she has cemented herself as one to watch later in the season.

The team race featured a tight battle between two Division II squads. Canal Winchester came away with the win, led by strong runs from Claire Speakman and Lillian Stepp. Big Walnut finished as runner-up, placing both Grace Buskirk and Leighton Coey among the invitational’s top five finishers.

Midwest Catholic Championships

Individual Champion: Kaitlyn Van Zandt

Team Champion: Bishop Watterson

Although the competition wasn’t as deep as at the other two meets, Bishop Watterson still put on a dominant display. Led by Kaitlyn Van Zandt, who ran 18:44 to claim the individual title, Watterson looks primed for a deep postseason run in Division II. While Van Zandt is a brilliant front-runner, the team’s true strength lies in its pack, with just six seconds separating their 2nd–5th runners on Saturday.

Looking Ahead

With Gahanna Lincoln emerging as a force in Division I and Bishop Watterson doing the same in Division II, this postseason is shaping up to be one for the ages. While not all of the top teams and individuals faced each other this week, that will change with the Berlin Bear Den Dash on the schedule for this Saturday. This invitational promises blistering times and bold statements from teams and individuals alike. With postseason cross country on the horizon, the answers to who will reign supreme will reveal themselves sooner rather than later.