Minerva Teams Headed to State Cross-Country Championships
OBETZ, Ohio — High school cross-country programs from across Northeast Ohio will be represented at the 2026 OHSAA state championships Saturday, Nov. 7, at Fortress Obetz and Memorial Park.
The Minerva Lions lead the local charge, earning spots in both Division III races after standout regional performances at Pickerington North.
Minerva’s girls team captured the Division III Region 10 championship on Oct. 31, scoring 95 points to top runner-up Tuscarawas Valley (120). The victory marks the school's fourth regional title and follows the Lions' ninth straight Eastern Buckeye Conference title and a district championship.
Tateum Richard led the Lions with a sixth-place finish in 18:56.70. Charlie Galley placed 11th (19:39.00), Addison Keyser took 14th (19:43.50), Presley Tarbet finished 32nd (20:20.80), and Chloe Carson rounded out the scoring in 39th (20:29.20). Hannah Gram (42nd) and Taylor McGeorge (54th) completed Minerva's deep lineup.
"Winning a regional championship for the fourth time in school history is something special, and I couldn’t be prouder of this group," said head coach Olivia Scott. "More often than not, we have all seven of our runners crossing the finish line before other teams get their fifth runner in. That kind of depth is a huge part of what makes this team successful."
Minerva’s boys team earned its own trip to state by taking third in Region 10 with 163 points, behind regional champion Fairless (55) and Fairfield Union (126).
Anderson Scott led the boys' effort with a 13th-place finish in 16:12.40, punching his second individual state ticket. Fox Johnson finished 27th in 16:48.40 to earn his first regional podium and state berth. Zachery Norris (56th), Caleb Lemasters (57th), Kaden Knappenberger (65th), Zavien Diaz (73rd), and Landyn Wade (123rd) rounded out the team, a squad with only three runners with prior postseason experience.
"Finishing third at the regional meet and earning a trip to the state meet is a big accomplishment for this group," Scott said. "They have embraced the work, trusted the process, and continued to raise the bar."
The Division III state championship races take place Saturday, Nov. 7, in Obetz. The girls' race begins at 1:40 p.m., followed by the boys' race at 2:20 p.m.
Go Lions!