17 boys and girls high school cross country runners to watch in Ashland County

With cross country season set to start on the high school level on August 19, the Ashland Times-Gazette takes a look into who are the top returning cross country runners in Ashland County in 2024.

The postseason will start on Oct. 19 and the season will conclude at the state finals on Saturday, Nov. 2 in Columbus at Fortress Obetz and Memorial Park.

More: Finish line: Mapleton hopes for strong finish to cross country season

Boys Cross Country Runners

Conner Rhein, Black River

Last year, Rhein became the first freshman boy in program history to qualify for the state cross country meet, which he did at for Division III. Rhein was a Lorain County First-Team, All-District and All-Region selection.

Noah Orgel, Black River

A Division III regional qualifier last year and placed sixth at the Lorain County meet.

Cooper Brockway, Crestview

A two-time Division III state qualifier, Brockway was a Firelands Conference First-Team selection and placed fourth at the district meet, 17th at the regional meet, and 74th at the state meet.

Wyatt Love, Crestview

A Division III regional qualifier last year.

Jay Kettering, Mapleton

As a junior, was a Firelands Conference First-Team choice. His PR last season was 17:36.

Ryan Twining, Mapleton

As a freshman, finished fourth at the Firelands Conference meet and was a Division III regional qualifier.

Fritz McCully, New London

A Division III regional qualifier as a freshman.

Tate Landis, New London

As a junior, was a Division III regional qualifier.

Girls Cross County Runners

Ava Cline, Ashland

Finished 12th at last year's Ohio Cardinal Conference meet.

Alanah Cole, Ashland

Ohio Cardinal Conference Second-Team performer as a sophomore.

Olivia Szmania, Black River

Szmania's PR last year as a junior was 21.52, as she made the Lorain County Conference Second-Team.

Leyna Gerich, Crestview

As a junior, Gerich was a Division III state qualifier. She earned Firelands Conference First-Team honors, was fifth at the district meet and 18th at the regional meet.

Alina Durbin, Crestview

A Firelands Conference First-Team selection as a sophomore, Durbin placed fourth at the Firelands Conference meet and was a Division III regional qualifier.

Emmie Kemp, Crestview

With a PR of 21:12 as a sophomore, Kemp was a Division III regional qualifier and was sixth at the Firelands Conference meet.

Tess Shultz, Loudonville

Shultz, a senior, is a two-time All-Ohioan, and last year medaled with a 10th place finish (18:17) at the Division III state meet. The Mid-Buckeye Conference champion was third at the district meet and fourth at the regional meet.

Valerie Klimkewicz, Mapleton

A team captain as a junior, Klimkewicz submitted the 11th-fastest time in school history (21:10) and was a Firelands Conference First-Team pick.

Valery Henry, New London

Finished seventh at the Firelands Conference and was a Division III regional qualifier.

jsimpson@gannnett.com

Twitter/X:@JamesSimpsonII

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Top returning Ashland County boys and girls XC runners