Allen East
Division: III
Conference: Northwest Conference
Coach: Zach Johnson (fourth season)
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Tanner Paxson (Sr.), Cole Niese (So.), Jaden Covault (So.)
Promising newcomers: Elijah Zimmerly (Fr.), Braeden Spurlin (Fr.), Kendrick Bell (Fr.)
Coach’s analysis: “We’re a very young team consisting of three freshmen, three sophomores, and one senior in our starting seven. The future with this team is looking promising with the amount of work these guys are willing to put in. They know what it is going to take to be great and are running with it.”
Bath
Division: II
Conference: Western Buckeye League
Coach: Dan Grime (17th season)
2024 roster: Jake Wieman, Everett Benman, Landon Jones, Jaden Ryan, Will Bensman, Levi Grime, Carter Schrock, Kaden Plaugher, Matt Moreland, Taylor McCoy, Ethan Bodine.
Coach’s analysis: “We had two runners qualify for the state meet last season. We have 16 boys on the team this season. How well these runners compete in varsity sports and how close they can run to the top four will determine the success of the team.
Celina
Division: II
Conference: Western Buckeye League
Coach: Jason Andrew (fourth season)
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Colin Buening (Jr.), Kaleb Dameron (So.), Kaden Steed (Sr.), Caleb Lehman (So.), Eli Spring (Jr.), Jackson Bange (So.)
Promising newcomers: Aaron Krogman (Jr.), Cole Buening (Fr.)
Coach’s analysis: “We’ve put in a lot of miles this summer and we hope that our hard work will pay off. We were able to put together a historic season last year by making our first trip to the State meet in school history. We return all of our top six runners along with the addition of two more talented runners that will compete for one of our top five spots. Our boys are hungry and motivated to exceed last year’s results.”
Columbus Grove
Division: III
Conference: Northwest Conference/Putnam County League
Coach: Terry Schnipke (19th season)
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Bryce Bonifas (Sr.), Levi Bryan (Sr.), Braylon Best (Jr.), Holden Hartzog (Jr.),
Promising newcomers: Zack Bryan (So.), Cobain Perry (So.), Caden Squillante (So), AJ Doseck (Fr.), Grant Van Pelt (Fr)
Coach’s analysis: “These guys have really worked hard this summer. People often use the word tradition to describe successful programs but tradition at Columbus Grove means that guys don’t want to be the group that allows a dip in the program’s success. These young men have adopted the attitude that, and as state champions, we are ready to defend that title. ”
Crestview
Division: III
Conference: Northwest Conference
Coach: Randy Grandstaff (fourth season)
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Lincoln Smith (Jr., PR: 17:13), Andy Heth (So., PR: 17:16), Payton Scott (Sr., PR: 18:03), Kale Vining (So., PR: 18:03), Jake Heth (Jr., PR: 18:32), Drayden Hoffman (So., PR: 18:08)
Promising newcomers: Luke Sawmille (Fr.), Derek Young (Fr.), Ian Owens (Fr.)
Coach’s analysis: “We return six of our top seven runners from last year’s Regional Qualifying team. We have good numbers this season, and the team is young and talented. They work hard and have had a great summer. We need to focus on one race at a time and continue to develop as a team.”
Delphos St. John’s
Division: III
Conference: Midwest Athletic Conference
Coach: Brian Kopack (fifth season)
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Hank Kopack, Andy Walpole, Adrian Crespo, Henry Hohman, Isaiah Freewalt, Riley Wenzlick, Zach Bockey, Garion Fuerst, Jack Bockey
Promising newcomers: Jackson Bayliff, Max Hohman, Ethan Hunt, Mason Roessner, Tyson Tolliver
Coach’s analysis: “We have a promising freshman class that will add depth to a strong returning core of scorers. As we get some experience racing together early in the season, this team should develop and be able to compete with the stronger teams in the area.”
Kalida
Division: III
Conference: Putnam County League
Coach: Scott Miller (18th season)
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Alex Shininger (PR: 21:38), Cody Decker (PR: 22:50)
Promising newcomers: Alex Caveledge, Gage Hammond
Coach’s analysis: “We will be very young with no seniors. Our returning lettermen have shown great leadership skills this summer, leading by example and setting expectations with their consistency and work ethic. Our numbers are low. We will be right on the border of having a team this year. We’re hoping to continue to build more depth from the junior high next year.”
LCC
Division: III
Conference: Northwest Conference
Coach: Adam Bryan (second season)
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Kenyon Kill (Sr.)
Promising newcomers: Chayce Farrington (Fr.), Collin Frick (Fr.), Billy Salyers (So.)
Coach’s analysis: “The team is young but the future is hopeful. We graduated four seniors last year, but we also added two freshmen and a sophomore, all of which have shown promise to the team. The season’s goal is to score points as a team to compete at the Northwest Conference League meet.”
Leipsic
Division: III
Conference: Blanchard Valley Conference, Putnam County League
Coach: Stacy Campbell (eighth season)
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Diego Baldazo (Sr.), Carson Schroeder (Jr.), David Garcia (So.), Calvin Miller (So.)
Promising newcomers: Kash Walther (Fr.), Carder Miller (Fr.), Alex Niese (Fr.)
Coach’s analysis: “I feel that even though we are a young team, we still have a strong core of runners and should be able to compete well. We are returning one regional qualifier and one runner that missed by one position.”
Lima Senior
Division: I
Conference: Toledo City Athletic League
Coach: Dana Houston (fifth season)
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Isaiah Hacker (So.), Malachi Ley (Sr.), Chester Blevins (Jr.), Mason Oen (So.)
Promising newcomers: Jessie Rodgers (Jr.)
Coach’s analysis: “Our goal is to win the conference meet and get several runners qualified for regionals.”
Ottawa-Glandorf
Division: II
Conference: Western Buckeye League
Coach: James Rader (first season)
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Ty Rosengarten (Sr.), Brandon Frey (Sr.), Cooper Fischer (Jr.), Connor Johnston (Jr.), Gage Recker (So.), Ethan Weis (So.)
Promising newcomers: Sam Shomaeker (Sr.), Hayden Inkrott (Jr.), Nolan Duling (So.), Ethan Kuhlman (So.), Will Siefker (So.), Carter Vorst (So.), Pierce Inkrott (Fr.), Chase Maag (Fr.), Grady Recker (Fr.), AJ Siefker (Fr.), Logan Stoepfel (Fr.), Cameron Tobe (Fr.)
Coach’s analysis: “Our team is motivated to meet and exceed their achievements from last cross country season. They are competitive, focused, and ready to take on the challenges that this season presents.”
Pandora-Gilboa
Division: III
Conference: Blanchard Valley Conference, Putnam County League
Coach: Cheryl Kern-Buell (second season)
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Adam Buell (Jr.), Jack Buell (Jr.), Austin Giesige (Jr.), Sam Amstutz (So.)
Promising newcomers: Camden Verhoff (Jr.)
Coach’s analysis: “We have competitive runners back with a strong desire to build off last year’s successes. Being a small school, we have a limited roster with several runners competing in two fall sports. The boys are very driven and have a strong work ethic, which will help them improve throughout the season. They are an exciting group of young men to work with.”
Perry
Division: III
Conference: Northwest Central Conference
Coach: Alex Jackson (second season)
Coach’s analysis: “We have a solid group of runners looking to get better each day and competing for a conference title.”
Shawnee
Division: I
Conference: Western Buckeye League
Coach: Crista Owens (second season)
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Ty Schaub (Sr.), Evan Conley (Sr.), Adam Jmiai (Sr.)
Promising newcomers: Josh Brenneman (Jr.), Jake Deitering (Jr.), Gabe Myers (Jr.), Jameson Parsley (Sr.), Isiaiah Robertson (So.), Hannah Salem (Jr.), Ian Delgado (Fr.)
Coach’s analysis: “We graduated a strong class in 2024. I’m very excited about the potential of the incoming freshman and new upperclassmen athletes. Our hope is they gain experience and become confident as the future of the program. Individual growth and teamwork are our goals.
Spencerville
Division: III
Conference: Northwest Conference
Coach Brian McMichael (53rd season)
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Landen Boedicker (Sr.), Alex Ross (Sr.), Max Wiss (Sr.), Tanner Braun (So.)
Coach’s analysis: “These guys work hard in practice and have a good attitude. With a small roster, everyone will need to contribute. Our goal is to work to get better each week and run our best at the end of the season.”
Van Wert
Division: II
Conference: Western Buckeye League
Coach: Kim Laudick (third season)
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Owen Scott (Sr., 5th overall in the State), Drew Laudick (Sr., 3x-1st Team WBL), Noah Spath (Sr.), Josh Hohman (Sr.), Johan Gemmer (Sr.), Harrison Sloan (So., 2nd Team WBL), Quintin Parrish (So.), Nate Bowen (So)
Promising newcomers: Alex Bauer (Fr.), Connor Mills (Fr.), Wyatt Scott (Fr.), Cooper Webster (Fr.), Jayden White (Fr.)
Coach’s analysis: “We’re looking to build upon last year’s success with five of the top seven runners back from last year’s State Qualifying team. With some of the top area runners returning as well as some incoming new runners, the team is excited to get things rolling this season in their very competitive regular season race schedule.”
Wapakoneta
Division: I
Conference: Western Buckeye League
Coach: Matt Rosebrock (fourth season)
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Hayden Sell (Jr.), Reed Miller (So.)
Promising newcomers: Aiden Gallaspie (So.), Gavin Gallaspie (Fr.), Wesley Snyder (Fr.), Hans Sammetinger (Fr.), Christian Augsburger (Sr.)
Coach’s analysis: “This season, we’ll see that It takes a team that’s willing to learn and get better. With so many first-year runners, there’s potential for growth that is faster than usual. We’ve seen throughout summer training that, although a lot of what I say as a coach is foreign knowledge to some of these kids, integrity and hard work will get us closer every day to our goals.”
Waynesfield-Goshen
Division: III
Conference: Northwest Central Conference
Coach: Jim Hennon (22nd season)
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Noah Dotson (Jr.), Jayden DuVernay (Jr.), Avin Sanpietro (Jr.)
Promising newcomers: Lincoln Glaser (Fr.)
Coach’s analysis: “We’re looking forward to this season and watching this group compete. We’re still looking for a fifth runner so we can field a full team, but the guys who are here are ready to push each other and compete.”
