The Ohio High School State Athletic Association cross country state meet is scheduled for Saturday at the Fortress Obetz and Memorial Park in Obetz, Ohio.
The Division II boys race is set for 1 p.m., and the D-II girls race begins at 1:45 p.m. Two teams and five individuals from Toledo-area schools qualified for the D-II state meet.
BOYS TEAM QUALIFIER
Liberty-Benton
■ Team: Justin Cook (junior), Jackson Hochstettler (freshman), Aiden Lee (freshman), Ben Leichty (sophomore), Josiah Leichty (sophomore), Matt Ricker (senior), Gabe St. Amour (junior).
■ State ranking: 18.
■ Regional finish: Second.
■ District finish: First.
■ Runner to watch: Hochstettler was the Blanchard Valley Conference champion and a district champion, before taking fifth at regionals. His season best of 16:03.70 is the sixth-best time statewide for a freshman this fall.
■ Previous team qualifiers: 7 (1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000).
INDIVIDUAL BOYS QUALIFIERS
Xander Fackler, Bryan
■ Year: Junior.
■ Regional finish: Second.
■ District finish: First.
■ Best time of season: 15:32.17.
■ State meet history: Finished 44th last season.
Jack Callan, Wauseon
■ Year: Senior
■ Regional finish: Seventh
■ District finish: Second
■ Best time of season: 16:18.80.
■ State meet history: Finished 36th in 2020.
Aidan Pena, Wauseon
■ Year: Senior.
■ Regional finish: Fourth.
■ District finish: Third
■ Best time of season: 16:14.22.
■ State meet history: Finished 41st last season and 86th in 2020.
GIRLS TEAM QUALIFIER
Eastwood
■ Team: Talia Baum (senior), Leah Emch (sophomore), Emily Payne (sophomore), Magie Ramsey (junior), Z Ramsey (junior), Cameron Sechkar (junior), Haley Sponaugle (junior).
■ State ranking: No. 5.
■ Regional finish: Second.
■ District finish: Second.
■ Runner to watch: Sponaugle was the Northern Buckeye Conference champion this season. She finished eighth at districts and 13th at regionals.
■ Previous team qualifiers: 8 (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2021).
INDIVIDUAL GIRLS QUALIFIERS
Kate Thormeier, Bryan
■ Year: Sophomore.
■ Regional finish: 12th.
■ District finish: Fourth.
■ Best time of season: 18:53.20.
■ State meet history: First time.
Morgan Wiechman, Port Clinton
■ Year: Freshman.
■ Regional finish: 14th.
■ District finish: Second.
■ Best time of season: 19:14.00.
■ State meet history: First time.
First Published November 3, 2022, 2:42 p.m.
