News Summary

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) is expanding cross country from three divisions to four starting this fall. This change aims to enhance competitive opportunities for athletes. In addition, OHSAA has extended its partnership with Fortress Obetz to host cross country events through 2027. Various fall sports will also see updates on divisional breakdowns soon, promising a thrilling season for runners and fans alike.

Exciting Changes for Ohio Cross Country: New Divisions and a Home at Fortress Obetz!

Hey there, Columbus! Great news for all you runners, fans, and families involved in cross country. The Ohio High School Athletic Association, or OHSAA for short, is shaking things up starting this fall! They’re officially expanding the cross country world from three divisions to four, which is a huge change that promises plenty of excitement.

What’s New?

This fresh divisional breakdown was recently given the green light by the OHSAA Board of Directors in April. Starting this fall, athletes will compete in one of four divisions instead of just three. This change opens up new opportunities for schools and athletes to showcase their talents. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a little friendly competition?

Mark Your Calendars for Fall Sports!

Now, if you’re already getting pumped about the upcoming cross country season, remember to keep your eyes peeled for more updates! The OHSAA will be unveiling divisional breakdowns for other fall sports, including golf, girls tennis, soccer, and girls volleyball this coming Monday. And football fans—hold tight! The divisional breakdowns and playoff assignments for 2025 will hit the airwaves on May 1st.

A Winning Partnership with Fortress Obetz

Now here’s something we can all get behind. OHSAA has extended its partnership with Fortress Obetz and Memorial Park to keep hosting cross country events through 2027. Since 2020, these two lovely venues in Southeast Columbus have been the go-to spots for some exciting cross country competitions. They’ve hosted three major events:

  • Early Season Invitational – Mid-August
  • 7th-8th Grade Invitational – Mid-October
  • High School Cross Country State Championships – First Saturday in November

So, if you’ve got a runner in the family, you’ll definitely want to check these events out!

Divisional Breakdown Details

Curious about which schools are in these new divisions? The OHSAA has made the details available on their website, and here’s a sneak peek:

Division I

Boys: Colerain, Elder, Fairfield, Hamilton, Kings, Lakota East, Lakota West, Lebanon, Little Miami, Mason, Middletown, Milford, Moeller, Oak Hills, Princeton, Springboro, St. Xavier, Sycamore, Walnut Hills, West Clermont, Winton Woods.

Girls: Colerain, Fairfield, Hamilton, Lakota East, Lakota West, Lebanon, Little Miami, Mason, Milford, Oak Hills, Seton, Springboro, Sycamore, Walnut Hills, West Clermont.

Division II

Boys: Aiken, Anderson, Badin, Batavia, Goshen, Harrison, Indian Hill, La Salle, Loveland, McNicholas, Monroe, Mt. Healthy, New Richmond, Ross, Talawanda, Turpin, Western Brown, Wilmington.

Girls: Anderson, Badin, Batavia, Edgewood, Harrison, Kings, Loveland, Mercy McAuley, Monroe, Mount Notre Dame, New Richmond, Ross, St. Ursula, Talawanda, Turpin, Ursuline, Western Brown, Winton Woods.

Division III

Boys: CHCA, Clark Montessori, Clermont Northeastern, Clinton-Massie, Fenwick, Madeira, Mariemont, Norwood, Reading, Roger Bacon, Taylor, Waynesville, Wyoming.

Girls: Bethel-Tate, CHCA, Clinton-Massie, Fenwick, Indian Hill, Madeira, Mariemont, McNicholas, Roger Bacon, Summit Country Day, Taylor, Waynesville, Wyoming.

Division IV

Boys: Cincinnati Country Day, East Clinton, Georgetown, MVCA, Oyler, Seven Hills, St. Bernard-Elmwood Place, Summit Country Day, Williamsburg.

Girls: Georgetown, Seven Hills, Williamsburg.

Get Ready to Run!

With these new divisions and an established venue to showcase talent, it’s clear that the Ohio cross country scene is gearing up for something big. Whether you’re a competitor, a fan, or a proud parent, this season promises to be one for the books. Lace up those shoes, and let’s get ready to run, Columbus!

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