Week of 9/27 Girls' Race Recap

Last weekend delivered the most competitive meet in Ohio this season outside of the State Championships—and it did not disappoint. While the Olentangy Berlin Bear Den Dash sparked some controversy by limiting entries and even excluding members of the host school from their own home meet, there’s no denying the race was blazingly fast. Central Ohio teams were scattered throughout the results, with some squads rising to the occasion and others stumbling, leaving the battle for state spots wide open.

Berlin Bear Den Dash Recap

Team Champion: Upper Arlington

Individual Champion: Erica Kaulen

The Bear Den Dash more than lived up to the hype on the individual side, with athletes charging through aggressive early splits and holding on for strong finishes in the closing mile. Leading the way was Hilliard Davidson’s Erica Kaulen, who stormed to the individual crown in a swift 17:32. Not far behind was Olentangy Orange’s Brooke Chapman—the reigning 1600m State Champion—who surged down the homestretch to secure runner-up honors for Central Ohio in 17:54. Several more Central Ohio standouts broke the 18:30 barrier, including Lancaster’s Harper Allen (18:11), Upper Arlington freshman Beth Baker (18:21, also the top freshman in the field), and Hilliard Davidson’s Celia Schulte (18:23), the reigning 800m State Champion. Performances like these showcased not only the depth of talent but also the promise of thrilling showdowns later in the season.

On the team side, the battle for supremacy was equally intense. Upper Arlington led the Central Ohio charge, finishing fourth overall against a field stacked with state-caliber programs. Lancaster wasn’t far behind, tallying 230 points thanks to the consistency of its front pack. Meanwhile, Hilliard Davidson and Olentangy Liberty added to the Central Ohio presence with respective totals of 249 and 292 points. The mix of powerhouse programs and rising contenders gave the meet an extra layer of intensity, underscoring just how competitive the landscape is shaping up to be this fall.

Looking Ahead

With conference championships just two weeks away, the postseason picture is starting to take shape. Central Ohio’s top individuals—led by Kaulen, Chapman, and an impressive freshman in Baker—have firmly established themselves as threats to make noise deep into November. On the team side, Upper Arlington’s strong showing highlights their potential to contend for a regional crown, while Lancaster, Davidson, and Liberty continue to lurk as dangerous challengers. As fitness sharpens and stakes rise, the coming weeks promise plenty of drama in the race for Columbus and beyond.