Podium Watch ranks the top 25 returning Division 2 boys for the upcoming Ohio high school cross country season.
Division 2 may have the most difficult top group to order. Ian Res brings elite 1600 speed, Donevan Noah and Luke Rettenberger own faster 5K marks, and Caleb Nieset, Steven Owen, Carson Spencer, and Brennan Higgins all produced high level 3200 results. The result is a ranking where direct competition will matter more than isolated numbers.
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 2 top 25 at a glance
| Rank | Athlete | School | Class | 2025 5K | 2026 track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ian Res | West Geauga | Senior | 15:33.53 | 9:51.65 3200, 4:12.12 1600 |
| 2 | Donevan Noah | Tallmadge | Junior | 15:24.25 | 10:01.69 3200, 4:16.24 1600 |
| 3 | Luke Rettenberger | Warren | Senior | 15:25.30 | 9:24.67 3200, 4:24.61 1600 |
| 4 | Caleb Nieset | Chardon | Junior | 15:37.30 | 9:13.49 3200, 4:22.66 1600 |
| 5 | Steven Owen | Sylvania Southview | Senior | 15:36.80 | 9:18.09 3200, 4:21.11 1600 |
| 6 | Carson Spencer | Turpin | Junior | 15:55.70 | 9:24.93 3200, 4:14.45 1600 |
| 7 | Brennan Higgins | Toledo St. Francis | Junior | 15:52.00 | 9:23.11 3200, 4:21.64 1600 |
| 8 | Porter Gilliland | Lakewood | Senior | 15:56.04 | 9:36.91 3200, 4:33.10 1600 |
| 9 | Justus Detter | Perry | Senior | 15:49.30 | 9:35.39 3200, 4:20.24 1600 |
| 10 | Russell Stine IV | Findlay | Senior | 15:53.80 | 9:27.87 3200, 4:27.89 1600 |
| 11 | Jacob Turek | Boardman | Junior | 15:54.80 | 9:25.51 3200, 4:26.63 1600 |
| 12 | Aiden Flynn | Nordonia | Senior | 15:49.01 | 9:38.20 3200, 4:37.68 1600 |
| 13 | Caleb Anderson | Turpin | Senior | 15:47.80 | 9:46.41 3200 |
| 14 | Anderson Seredick | Nordonia | Junior | 15:32.02 | 9:53.82 3200 |
| 15 | Isaac Solomon | CVCA | Senior | 15:56.56 | No verified track mark |
| 16 | Calvin Heithaus | Mount Vernon | Sophomore | 15:58.28 | 10:05.93 3200, 4:16.21 1600 |
| 17 | Caleb Hamilton | Walsh Jesuit | Senior | 15:55.75 | 9:30.09 3200, 4:25.04 1600 |
| 18 | Logan Miller | Granville | Junior | 15:49.77 | 9:39.36 3200, 4:34.59 1600 |
| 19 | Zac Andamasaris | CVCA | Junior | 15:54.04 | 10:06.26 3200, 4:22.98 1600 |
| 20 | Ian Putnam | Marietta | Senior | 16:22.50 | 9:02.33 3200, 4:13.19 1600 |
| 21 | Lucas Steele | Columbus DeSales | Senior | 16:13.55 | 9:23.79 3200, 4:24.52 1600 |
| 22 | John Owens | Revere | Junior | 16:11.30 | 9:30.24 3200, 4:34.61 1600 |
| 23 | Elijah Trickey | Anderson | Junior | 16:17.00 | 9:22.35 3200, 4:18.62 1600 |
| 24 | Ryan Stirm | Rocky River | Senior | 15:41.59 | 4:15.68 1600 |
| 25 | Ian Trombley | Loveland | Senior | 15:44.00 | 9:43.38 3200, 4:22.79 1600 |
The full countdown
25. Ian Trombley
School: Loveland
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:44.00
2026 track: 9:43.38 3200, 4:22.79 1600
Why he is ranked here
Ian Trombley enters with a 15:44.00 5K, a 9:43.38 in the 3200, a 4:22.79 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Ian Trombley is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
24. Ryan Stirm
School: Rocky River
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:41.59
2026 track: 4:15.68 1600
Why he is ranked here
Ryan Stirm enters with a 15:41.59 5K, a 4:15.68 in the 1600. His 1600 speed is a major reason he remains difficult to overlook, especially in races that stay controlled until the final mile.
2026 outlook
The spring results suggest that Ryan Stirm 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.
23. Elijah Trickey
School: Anderson
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 16:17.00
2026 track: 9:22.35 3200, 4:18.62 1600
Why he is ranked here
Elijah Trickey enters with a 16:17.00 5K, a 9:22.35 in the 3200, a 4:18.62 in the 1600. The 3200 result is substantially stronger than his current position and gives him a clear argument to move once the season produces direct head to head comparisons.
2026 outlook
The spring results suggest that Elijah Trickey 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.
22. John Owens
School: Revere
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 16:11.30
2026 track: 9:30.24 3200, 4:34.61 1600
Why he is ranked here
John Owens enters with a 16:11.30 5K, a 9:30.24 in the 3200, a 4:34.61 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
John Owens has another full season of development ahead. A modest improvement from his current marks would place him much closer to the top half of the ranking.
21. Lucas Steele
School: Columbus DeSales
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 16:13.55
2026 track: 9:23.79 3200, 4:24.52 1600
Why he is ranked here
Lucas Steele enters with a 16:13.55 5K, a 9:23.79 in the 3200, a 4:24.52 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Lucas Steele is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
20. Ian Putnam
School: Marietta
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 16:22.50
2026 track: 9:02.33 3200, 4:13.19 1600
Why he is ranked here
Ian Putnam enters with a 16:22.50 5K, a 9:02.33 in the 3200, a 4:13.19 in the 1600. The 3200 result is substantially stronger than his current position and gives him a clear argument to move once the season produces direct head to head comparisons.
2026 outlook
The spring results suggest that Ian Putnam 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.
19. Zac Andamasaris
School: CVCA
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 15:54.04
2026 track: 10:06.26 3200, 4:22.98 1600
Why he is ranked here
Zac Andamasaris enters with a 15:54.04 5K, a 10:06.26 in the 3200, a 4:22.98 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
Zac Andamasaris has another full season of development ahead. A modest improvement from his current marks would place him much closer to the top half of the ranking.
18. Logan Miller
School: Granville
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 15:49.77
2026 track: 9:39.36 3200, 4:34.59 1600
Why he is ranked here
Logan Miller enters with a 15:49.77 5K, a 9:39.36 in the 3200, a 4:34.59 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
Logan Miller has another full season of development ahead. A modest improvement from his current marks would place him much closer to the top half of the ranking.
17. Caleb Hamilton
School: Walsh Jesuit
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:55.75
2026 track: 9:30.09 3200, 4:25.04 1600
Why he is ranked here
Caleb Hamilton enters with a 15:55.75 5K, a 9:30.09 in the 3200, a 4:25.04 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Caleb Hamilton is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
16. Calvin Heithaus
School: Mount Vernon
Class: Sophomore
2025 5K: 15:58.28
2026 track: 10:05.93 3200, 4:16.21 1600
Why he is ranked here
Calvin Heithaus enters with a 15:58.28 5K, a 10:05.93 in the 3200, a 4:16.21 in the 1600. His 1600 speed is a major reason he remains difficult to overlook, especially in races that stay controlled until the final mile.
2026 outlook
The spring results suggest that Calvin Heithaus 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.
15. Isaac Solomon
School: CVCA
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:56.56
2026 track: No verified track mark
Why he is ranked here
Isaac Solomon enters with a 15:56.56 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
The first major invitationals will provide the clearest update on Isaac Solomon. A verified performance near his best would strengthen a résumé currently built mostly on cross country.
14. Anderson Seredick
School: Nordonia
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 15:32.02
2026 track: 9:53.82 3200
Why he is ranked here
Anderson Seredick enters with a 15:32.02 5K, a 9:53.82 in the 3200. The balance between his cross country result and spring track work gives him a solid foundation entering his junior season.
2026 outlook
Anderson Seredick already owns the cross country time to outperform this spot. Head to head results and postseason consistency will determine how quickly he rises.
13. Caleb Anderson
School: Turpin
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:47.80
2026 track: 9:46.41 3200
Why he is ranked here
Caleb Anderson enters with a 15:47.80 5K, a 9:46.41 in the 3200. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Caleb Anderson is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
12. Aiden Flynn
School: Nordonia
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:49.01
2026 track: 9:38.20 3200, 4:37.68 1600
Why he is ranked here
Aiden Flynn enters with a 15:49.01 5K, a 9:38.20 in the 3200, a 4:37.68 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Aiden Flynn is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
11. Jacob Turek
School: Boardman
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 15:54.80
2026 track: 9:25.51 3200, 4:26.63 1600
Why he is ranked here
Jacob Turek enters with a 15:54.80 5K, a 9:25.51 in the 3200, a 4:26.63 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
Jacob Turek has another full season of development ahead. A modest improvement from his current marks would place him much closer to the top half of the ranking.
10. Russell Stine IV
School: Findlay
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:53.80
2026 track: 9:27.87 3200, 4:27.89 1600
Why he is ranked here
Russell Stine IV enters with a 15:53.80 5K, a 9:27.87 in the 3200, a 4:27.89 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 Russell Stine IV toward the front of the ranking. He already has enough evidence to be treated as a serious top ten and podium level threat.
9. Justus Detter
School: Perry
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:49.30
2026 track: 9:35.39 3200, 4:20.24 1600
Why he is ranked here
Justus Detter enters with a 15:49.30 5K, a 9:35.39 in the 3200, a 4:20.24 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 Justus Detter toward the front of the ranking. He already has enough evidence to be treated as a serious top ten and podium level threat.
8. Porter Gilliland
School: Lakewood
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:56.04
2026 track: 9:36.91 3200, 4:33.10 1600
Why he is ranked here
Porter Gilliland enters with a 15:56.04 5K, a 9:36.91 in the 3200, a 4:33.10 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 Porter Gilliland toward the front of the ranking. He already has enough evidence to be treated as a serious top ten and podium level threat.
7. Brennan Higgins
School: Toledo St. Francis
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 15:52.00
2026 track: 9:23.11 3200, 4:21.64 1600
Why he is ranked here
Brennan Higgins enters with a 15:52.00 5K, a 9:23.11 in the 3200, a 4:21.64 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 Brennan Higgins toward the front of the ranking. He already has enough evidence to be treated as a serious top ten and podium level threat.
6. Carson Spencer
School: Turpin
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 15:55.70
2026 track: 9:24.93 3200, 4:14.45 1600
Why he is ranked here
Carson Spencer enters with a 15:55.70 5K, a 9:24.93 in the 3200, a 4:14.45 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 Carson Spencer toward the front of the ranking. He already has enough evidence to be treated as a serious top ten and podium level threat.
5. Steven Owen
School: Sylvania Southview
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:36.80
2026 track: 9:18.09 3200, 4:21.11 1600
Why he is ranked here
Steven Owen enters with a 15:36.80 5K, a 9:18.09 in the 3200, a 4:21.11 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
Steven Owen 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. Caleb Nieset
School: Chardon
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 15:37.30
2026 track: 9:13.49 3200, 4:22.66 1600
Why he is ranked here
Caleb Nieset enters with a 15:37.30 5K, a 9:13.49 in the 3200, a 4:22.66 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
Caleb Nieset 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. Luke Rettenberger
School: Warren
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:25.30
2026 track: 9:24.67 3200, 4:24.61 1600
Why he is ranked here
Luke Rettenberger enters with a 15:25.30 5K, a 9:24.67 in the 3200, a 4:24.61 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
Luke Rettenberger 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. Donevan Noah
School: Tallmadge
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 15:24.25
2026 track: 10:01.69 3200, 4:16.24 1600
Why he is ranked here
Donevan Noah enters with a 15:24.25 5K, a 10:01.69 in the 3200, a 4:16.24 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
Donevan Noah 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. Ian Res
School: West Geauga
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:33.53
2026 track: 9:51.65 3200, 4:12.12 1600
Why he is ranked here
Ian Res enters with a 15:33.53 5K, a 9:51.65 in the 3200, a 4:12.12 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
Ian Res 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.
Ian Res, Donevan Noah, Luke Rettenberger, Caleb Nieset, Steven Owen begin as the leading five, but Division 2 is packed with runners whose track marks are stronger than their current 5K positions. That makes this one of the rankings most likely to shift during August and September.
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.
