Podium Watch ranks the top 25 returning Division 1 boys for the upcoming Ohio high school cross country season.
Division 1 begins with one established sub 15 minute runner, but the race behind Ryne Reynolds is filled with athletes who produced major track performances during the spring. Little Miami holds the first two positions, while several juniors and one exceptional sophomore give the division unusual youth near the front.
These are preseason rankings, not a prediction of the exact state championship finish. Course difficulty, weather, race tactics, team goals, and postseason health all affect cross country results. The goal is to compare the strongest verified evidence available before the season begins.
How the rankings were built
State championship cross country performance receives the most weight. Other verified 2025 5K results come next, followed by 2026 track marks in the 1600 and 3200.
The ranking uses the OHSAA divisions for the 2026 season. It is a projection based on the complete résumé, not a simple list sorted by one personal best.
Division 1 top 25 at a glance
| Rank | Athlete | School | Class | 2025 5K | 2026 track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryne Reynolds | Little Miami | Senior | 14:51.30 | 9:02.94 3200, 4:14.56 1600 |
| 2 | Ian Patrick | Little Miami | Junior | 15:21.74 | 9:15.26 3200, 4:13.88 1600 |
| 3 | Austin Benedict | New Albany | Junior | 15:19.41 | 9:14.06 3200, 4:16.50 1600 |
| 4 | Logan Behm | Hilliard Darby | Senior | 15:18.94 | 9:16.60 3200, 4:24.47 1600 |
| 5 | Calvin Watson | Thomas Worthington | Sophomore | 15:27.02 | 9:24.93 3200, 4:32.60 1600 |
| 6 | Jacob Newman | St. Edward | Junior | 15:36.20 | 9:15.51 3200, 4:11.71 1600 |
| 7 | Rishi Jha | Thomas Worthington | Senior | 15:36.35 | 9:24.29 3200, 4:28.89 1600 |
| 8 | Ben Canales | Dublin Coffman | Senior | 15:33.98 | No verified track mark |
| 9 | Holden Gray | Westerville North | Senior | 15:34.89 | 9:37.67 3200, 4:19.91 1600 |
| 10 | Joshua Linde | Springboro | Junior | 15:39.21 | 9:17.08 3200, 4:25.82 1600 |
| 11 | Henry Newman | Milford | Senior | 15:42.32 | 9:17.34 3200, 4:13.73 1600 |
| 12 | Vansh Sethi | Olentangy Berlin | Senior | 15:35.04 | 9:28.51 3200, 4:24.18 1600 |
| 13 | Matthew Scipione | Solon | Senior | 15:48.50 | 9:28.40 3200, 4:30.02 1600 |
| 14 | Carter Schaubert | Mentor | Senior | 15:53.93 | 9:30.57 3200, 4:29.33 1600 |
| 15 | Owen Huff | Oak Hills | Junior | 15:23.90 | 9:52.30 3200, 4:16.85 1600 |
| 16 | Cowen Allender | Olentangy Orange | Senior | 15:38.56 | 9:32.56 3200, 4:31.49 1600 |
| 17 | Nick Szymanski | Beavercreek | Senior | 15:59.99 | 9:53.78 3200, 4:32.39 1600 |
| 18 | Paras Yadav | Mason | Senior | 15:31.50 | 4:17.90 1600 |
| 19 | Nicholas Beatty | Springboro | Senior | 15:55.64 | 9:18.39 3200, 4:29.19 1600 |
| 20 | Dominic Lopez | Northmont | Senior | 15:28.80 | 9:33.75 3200, 4:35.10 1600 |
| 21 | Eligh Amshoff | Mason | Senior | 15:24.40 | 9:53.39 3200, 4:29.57 1600 |
| 22 | Hunter Coakley | Dublin Jerome | Senior | 16:11.78 | 9:46.45 3200, 4:20.43 1600 |
| 23 | Liam Irvin | Gahanna Lincoln | Senior | 15:50.45 | 9:38.30 3200, 4:29.63 1600 |
| 24 | Pierce Lott | Watkins Memorial | Senior | 15:45.28 | 9:43.72 3200, 4:34.81 1600 |
| 25 | Griffin Ley | Hilliard Bradley | Senior | 15:47.77 | 9:41.99 3200, 4:26.85 1600 |
The full countdown
25. Griffin Ley
School: Hilliard Bradley
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:47.77
2026 track: 9:41.99 3200, 4:26.85 1600
Why he is ranked here
Griffin Ley enters with a 15:47.77 5K, a 9:41.99 in the 3200, a 4:26.85 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Griffin Ley is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
24. Pierce Lott
School: Watkins Memorial
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:45.28
2026 track: 9:43.72 3200, 4:34.81 1600
Why he is ranked here
Pierce Lott enters with a 15:45.28 5K, a 9:43.72 in the 3200, a 4:34.81 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Pierce Lott is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
23. Liam Irvin
School: Gahanna Lincoln
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:50.45
2026 track: 9:38.30 3200, 4:29.63 1600
Why he is ranked here
Liam Irvin enters with a 15:50.45 5K, a 9:38.30 in the 3200, a 4:29.63 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Liam Irvin is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
22. Hunter Coakley
School: Dublin Jerome
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 16:11.78
2026 track: 9:46.45 3200, 4:20.43 1600
Why he is ranked here
Hunter Coakley enters with a 16:11.78 5K, a 9:46.45 in the 3200, a 4:20.43 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Hunter Coakley is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
21. Eligh Amshoff
School: Mason
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:24.40
2026 track: 9:53.39 3200, 4:29.57 1600
Why he is ranked here
Eligh Amshoff enters with a 15:24.40 5K, a 9:53.39 in the 3200, a 4:29.57 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Eligh Amshoff is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
20. Dominic Lopez
School: Northmont
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:28.80
2026 track: 9:33.75 3200, 4:35.10 1600
Why he is ranked here
Dominic Lopez enters with a 15:28.80 5K, a 9:33.75 in the 3200, a 4:35.10 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Dominic Lopez is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
19. Nicholas Beatty
School: Springboro
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:55.64
2026 track: 9:18.39 3200, 4:29.19 1600
Why he is ranked here
Nicholas Beatty enters with a 15:55.64 5K, a 9:18.39 in the 3200, a 4:29.19 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Nicholas Beatty is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
18. Paras Yadav
School: Mason
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:31.50
2026 track: 4:17.90 1600
Why he is ranked here
Paras Yadav enters with a 15:31.50 5K, a 4:17.90 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Paras Yadav is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
17. Nick Szymanski
School: Beavercreek
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:59.99
2026 track: 9:53.78 3200, 4:32.39 1600
Why he is ranked here
Nick Szymanski placed 26th at the 2025 state championship and enters this ranking with a 15:59.99 5K, a 9:53.78 in the 3200, a 4:32.39 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Nick Szymanski is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
16. Cowen Allender
School: Olentangy Orange
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:38.56
2026 track: 9:32.56 3200, 4:31.49 1600
Why he is ranked here
Cowen Allender enters with a 15:38.56 5K, a 9:32.56 in the 3200, a 4:31.49 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Cowen Allender is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
15. Owen Huff
School: Oak Hills
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 15:23.90
2026 track: 9:52.30 3200, 4:16.85 1600
Why he is ranked here
Owen Huff enters with a 15:23.90 5K, a 9:52.30 in the 3200, a 4:16.85 in the 1600. His 5K is one of the fastest in this entire group, making this one of the most conservative placements in the countdown. The ranking reflects the complete résumé rather than treating the list as a simple personal best chart.
2026 outlook
Owen Huff already owns the cross country time to outperform this spot. Head to head results and postseason consistency will determine how quickly he rises.
14. Carter Schaubert
School: Mentor
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:53.93
2026 track: 9:30.57 3200, 4:29.33 1600
Why he is ranked here
Carter Schaubert enters with a 15:53.93 5K, a 9:30.57 in the 3200, a 4:29.33 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Carter Schaubert is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
13. Matthew Scipione
School: Solon
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:48.50
2026 track: 9:28.40 3200, 4:30.02 1600
Why he is ranked here
Matthew Scipione enters with a 15:48.50 5K, a 9:28.40 in the 3200, a 4:30.02 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Matthew Scipione is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
12. Vansh Sethi
School: Olentangy Berlin
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:35.04
2026 track: 9:28.51 3200, 4:24.18 1600
Why he is ranked here
Vansh Sethi enters with a 15:35.04 5K, a 9:28.51 in the 3200, a 4:24.18 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Vansh Sethi is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
11. Henry Newman
School: Milford
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:42.32
2026 track: 9:17.34 3200, 4:13.73 1600
Why he is ranked here
Henry Newman enters with a 15:42.32 5K, a 9:17.34 in the 3200, a 4:13.73 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
The spring results suggest that Henry Newman may be ranked below his current fitness. If that track improvement carries cleanly to 5,000 meters, he could make one of the largest jumps on the list.
10. Joshua Linde
School: Springboro
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 15:39.21
2026 track: 9:17.08 3200, 4:25.82 1600
Why he is ranked here
Joshua Linde enters with a 15:39.21 5K, a 9:17.08 in the 3200, a 4:25.82 in the 1600. The balance between his cross country result and spring track work gives him a solid foundation entering his junior season.
2026 outlook
A strong first month could move Joshua Linde toward the front of the ranking. He already has enough evidence to be treated as a serious top ten and podium level threat.
9. Holden Gray
School: Westerville North
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:34.89
2026 track: 9:37.67 3200, 4:19.91 1600
Why he is ranked here
Holden Gray enters with a 15:34.89 5K, a 9:37.67 in the 3200, a 4:19.91 in the 1600. The ranking rewards a complete profile rather than one isolated performance, and his best marks keep him firmly inside the division's leading group.
2026 outlook
A strong first month could move Holden Gray toward the front of the ranking. He already has enough evidence to be treated as a serious top ten and podium level threat.
8. Ben Canales
School: Dublin Coffman
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:33.98
2026 track: No verified track mark
Why he is ranked here
Ben Canales enters with a 15:33.98 5K. There is no verified 2026 track mark included in the data, so this placement leans almost entirely on his cross country performance and how it compared with the rest of the returning field.
2026 outlook
A strong first month could move Ben Canales toward the front of the ranking. He already has enough evidence to be treated as a serious top ten and podium level threat.
7. Rishi Jha
School: Thomas Worthington
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:36.35
2026 track: 9:24.29 3200, 4:28.89 1600
Why he is ranked here
Rishi Jha enters with a 15:36.35 5K, a 9:24.29 in the 3200, a 4:28.89 in the 1600. The ranking rewards a complete profile rather than one isolated performance, and his best marks keep him firmly inside the division's leading group.
2026 outlook
A strong first month could move Rishi Jha toward the front of the ranking. He already has enough evidence to be treated as a serious top ten and podium level threat.
6. Jacob Newman
School: St. Edward
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 15:36.20
2026 track: 9:15.51 3200, 4:11.71 1600
Why he is ranked here
Jacob Newman enters with a 15:36.20 5K, a 9:15.51 in the 3200, a 4:11.71 in the 1600. The balance between his cross country result and spring track work gives him a solid foundation entering his junior season.
2026 outlook
A strong first month could move Jacob Newman toward the front of the ranking. He already has enough evidence to be treated as a serious top ten and podium level threat.
5. Calvin Watson
School: Thomas Worthington
Class: Sophomore
2025 5K: 15:27.02
2026 track: 9:24.93 3200, 4:32.60 1600
Why he is ranked here
Calvin Watson enters with a 15:27.02 5K, a 9:24.93 in the 3200, a 4:32.60 in the 1600. Doing this as a freshman gives the result added weight. He is still early in his development and already owns marks that compare with experienced upperclassmen.
2026 outlook
Calvin Watson has a realistic path into the state championship conversation. The next step is converting his strongest marks into consistent results against the other runners in this top group.
4. Logan Behm
School: Hilliard Darby
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:18.94
2026 track: 9:16.60 3200, 4:24.47 1600
Why he is ranked here
Logan Behm enters with a 15:18.94 5K, a 9:16.60 in the 3200, a 4:24.47 in the 1600. The ranking rewards a complete profile rather than one isolated performance, and his best marks keep him firmly inside the division's leading group.
2026 outlook
Logan Behm has a realistic path into the state championship conversation. The next step is converting his strongest marks into consistent results against the other runners in this top group.
3. Austin Benedict
School: New Albany
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 15:19.41
2026 track: 9:14.06 3200, 4:16.50 1600
Why he is ranked here
Austin Benedict enters with a 15:19.41 5K, a 9:14.06 in the 3200, a 4:16.50 in the 1600. The balance between his cross country result and spring track work gives him a solid foundation entering his junior season.
2026 outlook
Austin Benedict has a realistic path into the state championship conversation. The next step is converting his strongest marks into consistent results against the other runners in this top group.
2. Ian Patrick
School: Little Miami
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 15:21.74
2026 track: 9:15.26 3200, 4:13.88 1600
Why he is ranked here
Ian Patrick enters with a 15:21.74 5K, a 9:15.26 in the 3200, a 4:13.88 in the 1600. The balance between his cross country result and spring track work gives him a solid foundation entering his junior season.
2026 outlook
Ian Patrick has a realistic path into the state championship conversation. The next step is converting his strongest marks into consistent results against the other runners in this top group.
1. Ryne Reynolds
School: Little Miami
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 14:51.30
2026 track: 9:02.94 3200, 4:14.56 1600
Why he is ranked here
Ryne Reynolds enters with a 14:51.30 5K, a 9:02.94 in the 3200, a 4:14.56 in the 1600. The ranking rewards a complete profile rather than one isolated performance, and his best marks keep him firmly inside the division's leading group.
2026 outlook
Ryne Reynolds begins the season as the runner everyone else has to measure against. Holding the top position will require another complete postseason, but no returning athlete enters with a stronger overall case.
What could change this ranking
The first major invitationals will answer questions that separate data from projection. Runners with major spring improvements need to show that the new fitness carries over to 5,000 meters, while established cross country performers need to confirm that their 2025 results remain the right baseline.
Head to head competition matters more than comparing marks from different courses and meets. The ranking will become clearer when the leading athletes race one another under the same conditions.
Ryne Reynolds owns the clearest No. 1 case, while Ian Patrick, Austin Benedict, Logan Behm, and Calvin Watson lead a division with enough track speed to change quickly. The most important early meets will be the ones that put these athletes on the same course under the same conditions.
Data note
Cross country marks are verified 2025 bests available to Podium Watch. Track marks are from the 2026 outdoor season.
Rankings may be updated when new verified results become available.
