Northeast Ohio Runners Shine at OHSAA State Cross Country Championships

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) held its annual state cross country championships on November 4, 2023, at Fortress Obetz and Memorial Park in Obetz, Ohio. The event showcased the region’s top talent, with runners competing across various divisions for the prestigious All-Ohio honors.

In this year’s championships, the top 40 runners in Division I and the top 48 in Divisions II through IV earned the coveted titles. Runners from the Northeast Ohio area demonstrated remarkable performances, securing a range of placements that highlighted their skills and dedication.

Outstanding Performers from Northeast Ohio

Among the standout athletes, Matthew Penkowski from Mentor finished in 15th place with a time of 15:45.26, making him one of the top competitors in Division I. Following closely, Christopher Bohm from St. Edward secured 23rd place with a finish time of 15:57.04. The competition was fierce, and the runners displayed impressive endurance and speed throughout the course.

Additional notable finishes included Carter Schaubert from Mentor, who placed 40th with a time of 16:07.85, and Kassadi Thompson from Cleveland Heights, who achieved an impressive 20th place in the girls’ Division I with a time of 18:34.33.

In the junior girls’ category, Maddie O’Brien from Stow-Munroe Falls completed the race in 19:02.41, earning her a commendable 31st position.

Division II-IV Highlights

The performances did not go unnoticed in the lower divisions. In Division II, Donevan Noah from Tallmadge delivered a stellar performance, finishing 8th overall with a time of 15:42.34. Caleb Neville from Cloverleaf and Al Ali from Copley also had strong showings, placing 18th and 24th respectively with times of 16:05.91 and 16:11.92.

In the girls’ divisions, Jillian Paolucci from Hudson finished 14th with a time of 18:39.91, while Olivia Keough, a freshman from Highland, made her mark with a time of 18:45.30, placing 17th overall.

This year’s championships highlighted the depth of talent in Northeast Ohio, with numerous athletes earning All-Ohio honors. These accomplishments reflect not only their individual efforts but also the support of coaches, families, and their respective schools.

The OHSAA state championships serve as a critical platform for high school athletes in Ohio, offering them the chance to showcase their skills on a state level. The results from this year’s event continue to inspire future generations of runners in the region.