Who in the area is headed to the OHSAA State Cross Country Championships?

PICKERINGTON — The area will be well represented after three teams and six individuals punched their tickets to the Ohio High School Athletic Association state cross country championships at the regional meet on Oct. 31 at Pickerington North.

In Division I, the Lancaster girls’ team finished eighth at the regional to qualify for the state meet, while Gabe McNeal and Luke Taylor qualified as individuals on the boys’ side.

In Division III, the Fairfield Union boys and girls’ teams both qualified for the state meet, and in Division IV, Fisher Catholic had four individuals qualify, two boys and two girls.

The state cross country championships will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, at Fortress Obetz. Here is a recap of the regional meet and who is headed to the state meet.

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Lancaster: The Lady Gales placed eighth out of 30 teams to qualify for the state meet as a team. Leading the way was Amelia Fries (10th, 18:43.80), Brooke Derringer (12th, 18:48.80), Hadley Allen (46th, 19:41.20), Corinne Fries (94th, 20:49.90), Ava Zeiders (21:22.80), Katie Coy (136th, 21:30.50), and Brenna Jarrett (187th, 23:51.10).

On the boys’ side, McNeal placed 12th (15:59.50), and Taylor finished 26th (16:11.90).

Fairfield Union: The Fairfield Union boys cross country team has punched its ticket to the OHSAA State Meet as regional runners-up. The Falcons put together a strong team performance, led by an outstanding second-place finish from Connor Runkle, who crossed the finish line in 15:16.8.

The team’s regional results were 2nd place: Connor Runkle, 15:16.8. 1st team all-Region; 26th place, Chase Myers, 16:44.4. 1st team all-Region; 46th place, Colin Reindle, 17:20.5.; 48th place; Landen Winters, 17:26.2.; 51st place, Ryan Boyer, 17:31.7.132nd place, Brody Lecrone, 18:39.2; 150th place, Ethan Phillips, 18:53.9.

The Fairfield Union girls’ cross country team has punched its ticket to the OHSAA State Meet. The Lady Falcons put together a strong team performance, led by an outstanding fourth-place finish from sophomore Sadie Schultz, who crossed the finish line in 18:40.0.

The team’s regional meet results were 4th place, Sadie Schultz, 18:40.0. 1st team all-region; 43rd place, Ellen Morgan, 20:35.4.; 57th place, Ava Wilkinson, 20:57.2.; 58th place, Kate Springer, 20:57.9.; 71st place, Katherine Welsh, 21:22.6., 193rd place, Annalese Berry, 25:43.8.

Fisher Catholic: The Irish boys and girls competed in the Division IV regional meet at Pickerington North High School. The girls placed seventh with 216 points. Leading the way was the senior duo of Mary Grace Crabtree and Eve Ohwofahworaye, who ran consecutive times of 19:52 (14th, State Bound and 20:14.2 (21st, State Bound. Other Irish runners were senior Allie Krile-21:22.8-45th, sophomore Stella Kohler-22:33.5-87th, sophomore Hannah Slaby-23:43.5-120th-Pr, and sophomore Norina Meie-25:15- 155th.

Leading the Irish boys was the duo of Corbin Stobart and Gordon Crabtree, who ran consecutive times of 16:40.6-9th-State Bound and 16:58.8-17th-State Bound. Other Irish Runners were Conlan Stobart- 18:35.6-65th-Pr, Jackson Gallagher 21:02.4- 154th- Pr, Nicholas Schorr- 21:03.9-156th39.79- 156th, and Thomas Schorr- 21:39.7-163rd. The Irish Boys placed 9th out of 23 teams.

Liberty Union: The Lions competed at the Regional Meet at Pickerington North High School on October 31. In the Division IV girls race, the team placed 10th and was led by Rachel Sponseller (26th, 20:32). She was followed by Emily Shultz (58th, 21:48), Norah Chaney (59th, 21:50), Ellie Spangler (63rd, 21:57), Rylan Myers (118th, 23:39), Taylor Jones (139th, 24:17), and Alaina Brate (141st, 24:24).

In the Division IV boys’ race, the team placed 11th. It was led by individual qualifier for the state meet, William McCreery (15th, 16:52). He was followed by Micah Fisher (105th, 19:23), Levi Hendershot (115th, 19:40), Chad Valentine (140th, 20:23), Silas Kohler (141st, 20:29), Christopher Bisel (150th, 20:56), and William Gonzalez (151st, 20:59).

OHSAA State Cross Country Championships Race Day Schedule

10:00 a.m. Division 1 Girls10:40 a.m. Division 1 Boys11:10 a.m. Division 1 Awards11:50 a.m. Division 2 Girls12:30 p.m. Division 2 Boys1:00 p.m. Division 2 Awards1:40 p.m. Division 3 Girls2:20 p.m. Division 3 Boys2:50 p.m. Division 3 Awards3:30 p.m. Division 4 Girls4:10 p.m. Division 4 Boys4:40 p.m. Division Awards

Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @twil2323.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Who in the area is headed to the OHSAA State Cross Country Championships?