You probably know the drill by now. Every November, the air at Fortress Obetz gets that specific kind of Ohio chill—the kind that makes your lungs sting but keeps the legs moving. The 2025 season felt different, though. It was the 97th annual boys and 48th annual girls championships, but the big news wasn't just the times. It was the expansion to four divisions for the first time in basically forever.
Honestly, it shook things up. Six schools walked away with their first-ever state titles. That doesn't happen every day. If you were looking for the OHSAA cross country state meet results to see the same old dynasties, you were probably surprised.
The Division I Shakeup: Beavercreek and Gahanna Make History
For years, people have talked about Beavercreek as a powerhouse that just couldn't quite seal the deal at the very top. That changed on November 1, 2025. They didn't just win; they controlled the race. With 107 points, the Beavercreek boys took home their first-ever Division I state championship.
Jackson Davis led the way, finishing 6th with a 15:24.34. Aiden Allen wasn't far behind in 10th. It was a masterclass in pack running. Perrysburg gave them a run for their money but ended up as runner-up with 147 points.
On the girls' side? Gahanna Lincoln finally did it. They've been a track school for so long, but their cross country squad put up 81 points to grab their first state title in school history. Ruby Lewis (6th) and Abigail Young (11th) were absolute studs. They held off a very strong Hilliard Davidson team that finished with 136.
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Individual Brilliance in D1
The individual races were just as wild. Dom Ellis from Cincinnati St. Xavier is the comeback story of the year. He finished 35th in 2024. This year? He won the whole thing in 15:07.92.
Elena Aldrink (Olentangy Liberty) did something similar. After taking 4th last year, she found another gear as a senior, winning the girls' D1 title in 17:25.90. It’s funny how a year of training changes everything.
Sophia Szolosi and the Division II Course Record
If you aren't following what Sophia Szolosi is doing at Athens, you're missing out on Ohio history. She didn't just win the Division II girls title; she dismantled the course record. 17:02.50. Think about that for a second. That's moving. She’s now a back-to-back state champ and a "Triple Crown" winner if you count her track exploits.
Columbus Bishop Watterson took the team title with 158 points, just barely edging out Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown, who finished with 161. Three points. That's a single runner passing a few people in the last 100 meters.
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Tippecanoe’s Kimmel Repeats
On the boys' side of D2, Landon Kimmel from Tippecanoe showed why he's the gold standard. He clocked a 15:12.51 to defend his title. Lexington won the team battle with 110 points, bouncing back from a runner-up finish last year. They’re a team that just knows how to peak in November.
New Eras in Division III and IV
Division III saw Peninsula Woodridge do what they do best: win. This was their 11th state title. They scored a measly 65 points, which is just dominant. Brice Fuller from Fairless was the individual star here, setting a D3 course record with a blistering 14:52.76.
The move to four divisions created Division IV, and it gave some smaller schools a chance to shine on the big stage.
- Ottawa Hills girls made history, winning their first title with 114 points.
- Kaitlyn Carr (Smithville) set the inaugural D4 course record with a 17:29.19.
- Convoy Crestview boys finally got their gold, scoring 86 points to beat Columbus Grove (99).
- Bennett Lehman (Ansonia) is your first-ever D4 boys individual champ at 15:17.91.
Why the Four Division Format Matters
Some people complained when the OHSAA announced the move to four divisions. They thought it would "water down" the competition. Looking at these results, I'd say the opposite happened. It gave teams like Dayton Oakwood (D3 Girls Champs) and Ottawa Hills a platform they've deserved for a long time.
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The depth in Ohio is just stupidly good. When you have a kid like Luke Snyder from Rittman—who won D3 last year and stayed elite this year—running against such a wide field, the quality remains high.
What You Should Do Next
If you're a coach or an athlete looking at these OHSAA cross country state meet results, don't just look at the winners. Look at the gaps.
- Analyze the 1-5 Split: The best teams, like Woodridge and Beavercreek, had tiny gaps between their first and fifth runners. That’s where championships are won.
- Study the Obetz Course: It’s not a "fast" course in the traditional sense, but it rewards strength. If you're training for 2026, find some hills.
- Check the MileSplit Data: Go beyond the finishing time. Look at the 1-mile and 2-mile splits. Most people who blow up at State go out way too fast in that first mile.
The 2025 meet proved that Ohio cross country is evolving. Whether you're in the big school Division I or the newly formed Division IV, the path to the podium still goes through the mud and the wind at Obetz.
For those planning their 2026 calendar, keep an eye on the OHSAA Early Season Invitational in August. It's usually the best way to get a feel for the Fortress before the stakes get real in November. Download the full results from the OHSAA website or MileSplit to see how your local favorites stacked up against the best in the state.
Practical Steps for the Off-Season:
- Build the Base: State champions are made in June and July, not just October.
- Focus on Strength: The Obetz finish is notoriously tough; incorporate more long, uphill finishes in your workouts.
- Watch the Film: Rewatch the race replays on MileSplit to see where the top finishers made their moves. Usually, it's between the 1.5 and 2.25-mile marks where the race is actually decided.