OHIO STATE MEET

Katie Clute, Connor Ackley Shine Brightest In Ohio; Mason Gets Hard-Earned Sweep

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Olmsted Falls’ Katie Clute saved her best for last. In the final race of the day at the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Cross Country Championships on Saturday at Fortress Obetz , Clute won the Division I title in a course-record time in 17 minutes, 25.1 seconds. Sarah Peer from Westlake was second in 17:44.2.

The Mason girls claimed their third state title in school history with 75 points.

Mason's ride to a state title on the boys side was bumpy. The top team in the state all season and a regionally ranked contender for an NXN berth had to overcome the loss of leader Isaac Schachleiter, who dropped out of the race. Schachleiter came back from a serious ankle injury just ro rejoin the team this fall. 

Yet without him, Mason still had enough depth to win a second consecutive team title with 128 points, edging out St. Xavier (142). Max Liao's 18th place finish led the Comets. 

Connor Ackley of Hilliard Davidson won the Division 1 boys race by 15 seconds, crossing the finish line in 15:10.1.

Colin Cernasky led Marlington to a second straight D2 title as he won the race in 15:26. Marlington placed three in the top five and scored 56 points.

Senior Bella Butler of Oakwood won the girls D2 title in 18:09.8. Granville won the team title with 130 points. 

The powerful Minister girls program continued its winning ways in Division 3. The Wildcasts won their 15th championship, the most in OHSAA history. Minster's scoring five all ran between 19:06 and 19:59 (17th to 39th place).

Individually, Anna’s Paige Steinke, a junior, won the title by 20 seconds, finishing in 17:46.1. That was the third fastest time of the day overall, behind Klute and Peer in Division 1.

Mount Gilead easily won the D3 boys title with 82 points and had three finishers in the top 14. Ottawa Hills was second (151 points). East Canton senior Bryan Holland won the race in 15:41.7. 

Team Champions

Division I: Mason boys 128 points; Mason girls 75 points - RESULTS

Division II: Marlington boys 56 points; Granville girls 130 points - RESULTS

Division III: Mount Gilead boys 82 points; Minister girls 63 points - RESULTS