Central Ohio high school cross country runners to watch in 2024
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Central Ohio high school cross country runners to watch in 2024

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The boys cross country season is well underway in central Ohio, and several teams are already preparing for a long postseason.

In Division I, Westerville North finished third in the first Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches rankings, despite 2023 state champion Ben Gabelman graduating. The Warriors were followed by Dublin Jerome (seventh), Olentangy Orange (eighth), Olentangy Liberty (ninth) and Dublin Scioto (13th).

In Division II, Fairfield Union was first, with Watterson tied with Minerva for seventh. In Division III, Mount Gilead was first, with Fredericktown fourth.

Here are 12 central Ohio boys cross country runners to watch this fall:

Bradyn Allender, Olentangy Orange

The senior helped the Pioneers get off to a good start, highlighted by a ninth-place finish (15:49) at the Hot Summer Bash on Saturday at Hilliard Davidson. Orange finished third (116) in the meet behind champion Cincinnati St. Xavier (57). Allender finished 38th (16:01) in the Division I state meet last season, helping the Pioneers finish third (172) behind champion Massillon Jackson (86).

Will Baker, Mount Gilead

The senior is looking to improve on his fourth-place finish (15:45.2) at the 2023 Division III state meet after helping the Indians finish second (128) behind Columbus Grove (122). Baker opened this season with a victory in the Upper Sandusky Icebreaker (15:15.99) on Aug. 20.

Connor Caltrider, Hartley

The senior took first place (16:29) at the Highland Flying Scots Invitational on Saturday, helping the Hawks finish third (93) behind Delaware champion Hayes (45). The Caltrider finished 21st (16:14.3) at the Division II state meet a season ago.

Girls cross country: 12 Central Ohio Runners to Watch

Casey Carlos, Westerville North

The junior is expected to be a solid performer for a team that has lost several key players to graduation. Carlos finished third in both the Pickerington North Classic (15:50.9) on Aug. 24 and the Westerville North Classic (15:57.2) on Saturday, helping the Warriors win both races.

Mulu Ferguson and Thomas Worthington

The senior opened the season by placing fifth (15:52.8) at the Pickerington North Classic and 11th (16:45.95) at the Dual at the DeWines on Saturday in Cedarville. Ferguson finished last season by placing 16th (15:46.32) at the Division I regional.

Holden Gohs, Bexley

The senior got off to a strong start, finishing second (16:45.9) at the New Albany International on Aug. 24, while the Lions finished third (36) behind champion New Albany (55). The Gohs finished 16th (16:05.8) at the Division II state meet last season.

Charles Guerrera, Dublin Jerome

The senior is coming off a strong 2023 season, starting with wins at the Pickerington North Classic (15:31.4) and Hot Summer Bash (15:10.45), while Jerome finished second (97) and fifth (146), respectively. Guerrera finished 19th (15:46.1) at the Division I state meet last season.

McKinley Norman, Dublin Scioto

The senior is a key returner for a team that finished 12th (293) at the Division I state meet last season. Norman, who finished 56th (16:15.4) at state, opened this season with a win at the Northwestern Warrior Classic (16:07.5) on Aug. 24 in Springfield, and the Irish finished first (22). Norman finished seventh (15:41.65) at the Hot Summer Bash, helping Scioto finish fourth (125).

Matthew Schroff, Olentangy Orange

The senior opened the season by winning the Canton GlenOak Golden Eagle Invitational (15:53.43) on Aug. 24, and the Pioneers finished second (77) behind Hudson (56). Schroff finished fifth (15:25.92) at the Hot Summer Bash, helping the Pioneers finish third (116). He was 17th (15:45.1) at state last season.

Mick Temple, Pickerington North

The junior returned to training after missing the early part of the season with hip tendonitis. Last season, he placed 10th (15:27.6) at the Division I state meet.

Owen Towler, Gahanna Lincoln

The senior started the season strong after missing the 2023 postseason with a hamstring injury and stress reaction, finishing fifth (16:05.06) in the Early Bird Invitational on Aug. 17 at Fortress Obetz and eighth (15:46.46) at the Hot Summer Bash.

Andrew Walton, Fairfield Union

The senior is looking to repeat as Division II state champion after winning in 15:00.02 last season. The Falcons finished third (136) behind champion Alliance Marlington (108). Walton opened this season with victories in the Newark Catholic Invitational (15:53.53) on Aug. 24 and the Circleville Kiwanis Invitational (15:46.4) on Saturday. Fairfield Union won both events.

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