WL-S boys finish 2nd at State Cross Country Meet; WL-S girls, Chiefs, and Mechanicsburg results

Several local cross country teams wrapped up standout seasons at the OHSAA State Championships held Saturday at Fortress Obetz, with multiple athletes earning All-Ohio honors and strong team finishes across the board.

The weekend was highlighted by the West Liberty-Salem Big Orange, who turned in one of their best overall showings in program history. The boys’ team captured the Division III State Runner-Up trophy, while the girls’ team placed sixth in Division IV, both securing podium finishes against the top competition in Ohio.

West Liberty-Salem Boys – Division III State Runner-Up

Ranked No. 4 entering the meet, West Liberty-Salem’s boys put together an incredible team effort to finish second overall with 162 points — marking the program’s first state podium finish since the late 1970s.

Head Coach Mike Louden credited his team’s focus and unity throughout the season:

“Today marked the end of the journey for the 2025 season; and oh what a finish it was as we claimed the program’s first podium finish since the state championship run from 1976–79,” Louden said. “We set the goal at the beginning of the season to podium and bring back hardware to West Liberty-Salem — and we did just that. This accomplishment is a true testament to the togetherness and resilience that this team displayed throughout the season.”

Top Three Teams:

Woodridge – 65
West Liberty-Salem – 162
Oakwood – 165

Individual Results:

10th – Caleb Larson, Sr. – 15:39.60 (1st Team All-Ohio)
17th – Asher Cole, So. – 15:47.35 (1st Team All-Ohio)
39th – Dylan King, Sr. – 16:23.62 (2nd Team All-Ohio)
47th – Brayan Gullett, So. – 16:30.44 (2nd Team All-Ohio)
109th – Garrett Wallen, Sr. – 17:06.52
153rd – Zeke Longshore, So. – 17:37.17
154th – Eric Hoover, Fr. – 17:37.26

West Liberty-Salem Girls – Division IV

The West Liberty-Salem girls also earned a spot on the state podium, finishing sixth overall out of 24 teams. Two runners — Malia Miller and Addi Wallen — brought home All-Ohio honors after strong individual performances.

Head Coach Aaron Lauck said the girls represented the program and community with pride:

“The girls represented very well at the highest level,” Lauck said. “They were a little disappointed with the outcome as we were hoping to be in the top five, but it doesn’t detract from their season at all. Malia earned All-Ohio for the third straight year, and Addi ran her best time of the season to earn 2nd Team All-Ohio. I’m most proud of how they encourage each other and show sportsmanship to other teams.”

Top 6 Team Standings (Girls Division IV):

Ottawa Hills – 114
Minster – 158
Liberty Center – 180
Rittman – 181
Grandview Heights – 185
West Liberty-Salem – 204

Individual Results:

24th – Malia Miller, Jr. – 19:10.96 (1st Team All-Ohio)
34th – Addi Wallen, So. – 19:39.94 (2nd Team All-Ohio)
61st – Gwen McCullough, Sr. – 20:13.02
79th – Isla Leichty, Jr. – 20:26.03
115th – Elia Matthews, So. – 20:59.00
145th – Mariska Smith, Fr. – 21:38.89
150th – Charlee Albers, Jr. – 21:44.92

Other Local State Finishers

Boys Division II

72nd – Hayden Maus, Sr., Bellefontaine – 16:40.72
101st – Oliver Grandstaff, Jr., Bellefontaine – 16:52.22

Girls Division II

24th – Grace Brown, Jr., Bellefontaine – 18:54.89
135th – Kaeleigh Flora, Sr., Bellefontaine – 20:28.57

“Grace showed tremendous composure and patience to work her way through the field, and Kaeleigh’s willingness to take on a new challenge while balancing volleyball speaks volumes about her character. We’re thankful to Coach Phelps for her support and for sharing Kaeleigh with our team. Grace and Kaeleigh both embody what it means to be a Chieftain-hard working,
self-less and team -first. I couldn’t be prouder of how they represented our program today.”
– Head Coach Stacey Wilson