News Summary

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) is set to expand the cross country divisions from three to four by 2025. This change aims to enhance opportunities for athletes. The new divisional breakdown was shared, featuring notable schools across different categories. Fortress Obetz will continue to host key events, and crucial dates for the upcoming season have been announced, giving fans and athletes plenty to look forward to in the 2025 season.

Exciting Changes Coming to Ohio Cross Country

Columbus is buzzing with excitement as the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) rolls out some major changes for cross country enthusiasts! Earlier this year, it was announced that the competitive scene would expand from three divisions to four by 2025, and fans couldn’t be happier. Get ready for a more inclusive and engaging experience for athletes across the state.

New Divisional Breakdown Unveiled

The OHSAA just shared the new divisional breakdown, revealing the schools that will be competing in the different categories, and this is a big deal for young runners and their supporters alike. Now, runners can look forward to even more opportunities to showcase their skills.

In Division I Boys, schools such as Colerain, Elder, Hamilton, and St. Xavier will be vying for top honors. On the Division I Girls side, Colerain and Lakota East are among the notable teams. If you’re following Division II Boys, look for Aiken, Badin, and Turpin to take the lead. Meanwhile, Division II Girls includes strong contenders from Anderson and Mercy McAuley.

As for Division III and Division IV, there’s no shortage of talent! With teams from CHCA, Fenwick, and Cincinnati Country Day, excitement is sure to be palpable throughout the season.

Fortress Obetz: The Heart of Ohio Cross Country

As if all these changes weren’t enough, the OHSAA also announced a new three-year contract with Fortress Obetz, which will continue to host key events for cross country. This fantastic venue has earned praise for its ability to provide an excellent competitive environment for student-athletes. It has been home to cross country events since 2020 and is no stranger to hosting high-level meets.

Fortress Obetz consistently welcomes runners each year for three big events:

  • an early season invitational in August,
  • a seventh- and eighth-grade invitational in October,
  • and, of course, the high school state championships on the first Saturday in November.

All of these events will continue to take place here through the 2027 season!

Mark Your Calendars!

For those looking forward to the 2025 season, key dates have already been set. Practice kicks off on August 1, with the Early Season Invitational at Obetz scheduled for August 16. The season officially starts on August 18, and fans should set their reminders for some significant events like:

  • Non-interscholastic date on September 29,
  • 7th-8th Grade Invitational at Obetz on October 19,
  • District Tournaments on October 18,
  • Regional Tournaments on October 25,
  • and the big State Championships at Obetz on November 1!

What’s Next?

This is just the beginning of the exciting developments in Ohio high school athletics. Fans can expect more announcements on divisional breakdowns for other sports like golf, girls tennis, soccer, and girls volleyball coming soon. Plus, mark your calendars for the reveal of the 2025 football divisional breakdowns and regional playoff assignments, which is set for May 1!

The excitement is palpable, and Ohio’s cross country community is primed for an incredible season ahead. With a new format and a fantastic venue like Fortress Obetz leading the way, student-athletes and fans alike have plenty to cheer about. Let the countdown to the 2025 cross country season begin!

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