Girls Race to Glory at 2025 Ohio Cross Country State Championships!

Girls Race to Glory at 2025 Ohio Cross Country State Championships!

The excitement was palpable at the 2025 Ohio High School Athletic Association State Cross Country Championships held on November 1 at Fortress Obetz & Memorial Park, just outside Columbus. Runners from various high schools across Ohio gathered to compete in a race that not only tests their endurance but also brings communities together to cheer on their young athletes.

In the girls‘ races, strong performances were demonstrated across all divisions. In Division I, Strongsville’s Hannah Jicha and Medina’s Addison Joffre were notable mentions as they battled for position during the race, while Lindsay Magyar of Strongsville kept ahead of Jessica Pendleton from Avon. Additional competitors included Julia Dietrich from Medina and Kassadi Thompson from Beaumont, who all took to the track with determination.

Division Highlights

Moving on to Division II, Beatrice Snyder from Chardon and Kara McCann of Rocky River added to the competitive atmosphere. A standout performance came from Sophi Solos of Athens, who broke a record, showcasing remarkable talent. Other participants included Layla Vickers, Katherine Schuler, and Olivia Keough, among others, each vying for a top spot.

Division III featured Beachwood’s Meena Abdul-Basser and Woodridge’s Lola Mullen, with Lindsay Fisher from Chagrin Falls and Alexandra Kheyfets from Beachwood reaching impressive finishes. The spirit of competition remained fierce as Josephine Holody from Beaumont and Andrea Lesnak of Huron also fought hard for their places in the rankings.

In Division IV, Kirtland’s Danika Schaum, Sarah Zivko, Megan Urbanick, and Izzie Copeland made a mark, while Kaitlyn Carr from Smithville emerged victorious in the girls‘ race for Division IV. Her steadfast resolve was evident as she crossed the finish line ahead of Rebecca Geiss from Heartland Christian.

Boys’ Results

On the boys‘ side, Brice Fuller from Fairless clinched the Division III title with a stunning time of 14:52.76—remarkably the only finish under 15 minutes, a feat not reached since 2006. Division I saw Dom Ellis from Cincinnati St. Xavier take victory with a strong finish in 15:07.92, closely followed by Maxwell Friedrich from St. Ignatius.

In Division II, Landon Kimmel of Tippecanoe finished first with an equally impressive time of 15:12.70, while Sophia Szolosi of Athens triumphed in the girls’ segment of Division II with a time of 17:02.50, beating Anna Prusak from Hathaway Brown.

Further fueling the excitement, the schedule was tight, with races lined up throughout the day. The event kicked off with Division IV girls at 10:00 AM and concluded with the Division I girls at 3:30 PM, demonstrating a well-orchestrated day of competitive spirit and community support.

Preparation and Anticipation

The journey to the state championships began much earlier at the regional level, where teams prepared rigorously. The Lexington girls‘ team secured their 12th consecutive regional championship at Hedges Boyer Park, and individual runners like Anna Will from Shelby also made strides to qualify for state contention.

As the dust settled from the championship events, it was evident that cross country remains a cherished part of Ohio’s high school athletic culture. With dedicated athletes, enthusiastic supporters, and thrilling races, it’s clear that there’s something special about the camaraderie and competitiveness exhibited on such a significant day. For a full recap, Cleveland.com provides stunning visuals from the event, while live updates from CantonRep keep the excitement rolling.

To explore deeper insights into how athletes qualified and the standout performances, check out Mansfield News Journal.