Podium Watch ranks the top 25 returning Division 4 boys for the upcoming Ohio high school cross country season.
Division 4 starts with a defending state champion, but the chase behind Bennett Lehman is much deeper than one name. Samuel Phlipot, Nigel Wenger, Caiden Squillante, Kolten Evans, Sam Steimle, Derek Young, and a strong group of younger runners give the division several different paths to the podium.
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 4 top 25 at a glance
| Rank | Athlete | School | Class | 2025 5K | 2026 track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bennett Lehman | Ansonia | Senior | 15:17.91 | 9:16.30 3200, 4:16.15 1600 |
| 2 | Samuel Phlipot | Russia | Senior | 15:54.30 | 9:44.80 3200, 4:17.68 1600 |
| 3 | Nigel Wenger | Smithville | Junior | 16:07.01 | 9:57.49 3200, 4:18.99 1600 |
| 4 | Caiden Squillante | Columbus Grove | Senior | 15:55.45 | 4:23.62 1600 |
| 5 | Kolten Evans | Riverdale | Senior | 15:48.80 | 9:55.18 3200, 4:20.83 1600 |
| 6 | Sam Steimle | Grand Valley | Senior | 15:56.46 | 9:55.05 3200, 4:37.13 1600 |
| 7 | Derek Young | Crestview Convoy | Junior | 16:10.50 | 9:27.70 3200 |
| 8 | Ethan Lee | Fayette | Senior | 16:04.74 | 4:45.41 1600 |
| 9 | Titus Young | Anna | Senior | 16:11.27 | 9:44.46 3200, 4:37.75 1600 |
| 10 | Paxson Bixler | Russia | Sophomore | 16:22.01 | 9:37.33 3200, 4:25.00 1600 |
| 11 | Nathan Sultan | Cedarville | Senior | 16:18.10 | 10:20.14 3200, 4:48.45 1600 |
| 12 | Stephen Wojtowicz | Legacy Christian | Senior | 16:18.20 | 9:36.45 3200, 4:22.19 1600 |
| 13 | Ean Grillot | Fort Loramie | Senior | 16:25.61 | 9:37.23 3200, 4:32.46 1600 |
| 14 | Hudson Perrott | Crestview Convoy | Senior | 16:23.33 | 4:27.39 1600 |
| 15 | Owen Cappuzzello | McDonald | Sophomore | 16:27.78 | 9:38.07 3200, 4:36.65 1600 |
| 16 | Elijah Scales | Springfield ECA | Junior | 16:19.08 | 4:23.92 1600 |
| 17 | Henry Bartlett | Mount Gilead | Junior | 16:11.14 | 9:39.56 3200, 4:33.18 1600 |
| 18 | Andrew Gannon | Mount Gilead | Sophomore | 16:26.87 | No verified track mark |
| 19 | Carter Hicks | New London | Junior | 16:23.94 | 9:51.17 3200, 4:39.48 1600 |
| 20 | Noah Meyer | Tinora | Senior | 16:25.56 | 9:55.77 3200 |
| 21 | Elam Sparks | Legacy Christian | Senior | 16:19.17 | 10:07.15 3200, 4:40.83 1600 |
| 22 | Aidan Vogt | Columbus Grove | Senior | 16:31.60 | 4:44.33 1600 |
| 23 | Ethan Roberts | West Jefferson | Senior | 15:54.73 | 9:52.46 3200, 4:39.31 1600 |
| 24 | Connor Rhein | Black River | Senior | 16:16.84 | 9:31.49 3200, 4:28.57 1600 |
| 25 | Micah Sparks | Maplewood | Junior | 17:06.69 | 4:30.16 1600 |
The full countdown
25. Micah Sparks
School: Maplewood
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 17:06.69
2026 track: 4:30.16 1600
Why he is ranked here
Micah Sparks placed 84th at the 2025 state championship and enters this ranking with a 17:06.69 5K, a 4:30.16 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
Micah Sparks 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.
24. Connor Rhein
School: Black River
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 16:16.84
2026 track: 9:31.49 3200, 4:28.57 1600
Why he is ranked here
Connor Rhein enters with a 16:16.84 5K, a 9:31.49 in the 3200, a 4:28.57 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 Connor Rhein 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. Ethan Roberts
School: West Jefferson
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:54.73
2026 track: 9:52.46 3200, 4:39.31 1600
Why he is ranked here
Ethan Roberts enters with a 15:54.73 5K, a 9:52.46 in the 3200, a 4:39.31 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
Ethan Roberts already owns the cross country time to outperform this spot. Head to head results and postseason consistency will determine how quickly he rises.
22. Aidan Vogt
School: Columbus Grove
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 16:31.60
2026 track: 4:44.33 1600
Why he is ranked here
Aidan Vogt enters with a 16:31.60 5K, a 4:44.33 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Aidan Vogt is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
21. Elam Sparks
School: Legacy Christian
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 16:19.17
2026 track: 10:07.15 3200, 4:40.83 1600
Why he is ranked here
Elam Sparks enters with a 16:19.17 5K, a 10:07.15 in the 3200, a 4:40.83 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Elam Sparks is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
20. Noah Meyer
School: Tinora
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 16:25.56
2026 track: 9:55.77 3200
Why he is ranked here
Noah Meyer enters with a 16:25.56 5K, a 9:55.77 in the 3200. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Noah Meyer is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
19. Carter Hicks
School: New London
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 16:23.94
2026 track: 9:51.17 3200, 4:39.48 1600
Why he is ranked here
Carter Hicks enters with a 16:23.94 5K, a 9:51.17 in the 3200, a 4:39.48 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
Carter Hicks 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. Andrew Gannon
School: Mount Gilead
Class: Sophomore
2025 5K: 16:26.87
2026 track: No verified track mark
Why he is ranked here
Andrew Gannon enters with a 16:26.87 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
Normal year to year development would make Andrew Gannon a major mover. He does not need a dramatic leap to become one of the division's leading young runners.
17. Henry Bartlett
School: Mount Gilead
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 16:11.14
2026 track: 9:39.56 3200, 4:33.18 1600
Why he is ranked here
Henry Bartlett enters with a 16:11.14 5K, a 9:39.56 in the 3200, a 4:33.18 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
Henry Bartlett 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.
16. Elijah Scales
School: Springfield ECA
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 16:19.08
2026 track: 4:23.92 1600
Why he is ranked here
Elijah Scales enters with a 16:19.08 5K, a 4:23.92 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
Elijah Scales 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.
15. Owen Cappuzzello
School: McDonald
Class: Sophomore
2025 5K: 16:27.78
2026 track: 9:38.07 3200, 4:36.65 1600
Why he is ranked here
Owen Cappuzzello placed 32nd at the 2025 state championship and enters this ranking with a 16:27.78 5K, a 9:38.07 in the 3200, a 4:36.65 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
Normal year to year development would make Owen Cappuzzello a major mover. He does not need a dramatic leap to become one of the division's leading young runners.
14. Hudson Perrott
School: Crestview Convoy
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 16:23.33
2026 track: 4:27.39 1600
Why he is ranked here
Hudson Perrott placed 26th at the 2025 state championship and enters this ranking with a 16:23.33 5K, a 4:27.39 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Hudson Perrott is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
13. Ean Grillot
School: Fort Loramie
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 16:25.61
2026 track: 9:37.23 3200, 4:32.46 1600
Why he is ranked here
Ean Grillot placed 29th at the 2025 state championship and enters this ranking with a 16:25.61 5K, a 9:37.23 in the 3200, a 4:32.46 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 Ean Grillot 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.
12. Stephen Wojtowicz
School: Legacy Christian
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 16:18.20
2026 track: 9:36.45 3200, 4:22.19 1600
Why he is ranked here
Stephen Wojtowicz enters with a 16:18.20 5K, a 9:36.45 in the 3200, a 4:22.19 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 Stephen Wojtowicz 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.
11. Nathan Sultan
School: Cedarville
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 16:18.10
2026 track: 10:20.14 3200, 4:48.45 1600
Why he is ranked here
Nathan Sultan enters with a 16:18.10 5K, a 10:20.14 in the 3200, a 4:48.45 in the 1600. The placement reflects the full combination of 5K strength, track evidence, returning class, and the depth immediately around him.
2026 outlook
Nathan Sultan is close enough to the athletes around him that one strong invitational or postseason race could change his position quickly.
10. Paxson Bixler
School: Russia
Class: Sophomore
2025 5K: 16:22.01
2026 track: 9:37.33 3200, 4:25.00 1600
Why he is ranked here
Paxson Bixler enters with a 16:22.01 5K, a 9:37.33 in the 3200, a 4:25.00 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
A strong first month could move Paxson Bixler toward the front of the ranking. He already has enough evidence to be treated as a serious top ten and podium level threat.
9. Titus Young
School: Anna
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 16:11.27
2026 track: 9:44.46 3200, 4:37.75 1600
Why he is ranked here
Titus Young enters with a 16:11.27 5K, a 9:44.46 in the 3200, a 4:37.75 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 Titus Young toward the front of the ranking. He already has enough evidence to be treated as a serious top ten and podium level threat.
8. Ethan Lee
School: Fayette
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 16:04.74
2026 track: 4:45.41 1600
Why he is ranked here
Ethan Lee placed 12th at the 2025 state championship and enters this ranking with a 16:04.74 5K, a 4:45.41 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 Ethan Lee toward the front of the ranking. He already has enough evidence to be treated as a serious top ten and podium level threat.
7. Derek Young
School: Crestview Convoy
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 16:10.50
2026 track: 9:27.70 3200
Why he is ranked here
Derek Young enters with a 16:10.50 5K, a 9:27.70 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
A strong first month could move Derek Young toward the front of the ranking. He already has enough evidence to be treated as a serious top ten and podium level threat.
6. Sam Steimle
School: Grand Valley
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:56.46
2026 track: 9:55.05 3200, 4:37.13 1600
Why he is ranked here
Sam Steimle enters with a 15:56.46 5K, a 9:55.05 in the 3200, a 4:37.13 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 Sam Steimle toward the front of the ranking. He already has enough evidence to be treated as a serious top ten and podium level threat.
5. Kolten Evans
School: Riverdale
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:48.80
2026 track: 9:55.18 3200, 4:20.83 1600
Why he is ranked here
Kolten Evans enters with a 15:48.80 5K, a 9:55.18 in the 3200, a 4:20.83 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
Kolten Evans 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. Caiden Squillante
School: Columbus Grove
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:55.45
2026 track: 4:23.62 1600
Why he is ranked here
Caiden Squillante enters with a 15:55.45 5K, a 4:23.62 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
Caiden Squillante 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. Nigel Wenger
School: Smithville
Class: Junior
2025 5K: 16:07.01
2026 track: 9:57.49 3200, 4:18.99 1600
Why he is ranked here
Nigel Wenger placed 14th at the 2025 state championship and enters this ranking with a 16:07.01 5K, a 9:57.49 in the 3200, a 4:18.99 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
Nigel Wenger 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. Samuel Phlipot
School: Russia
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:54.30
2026 track: 9:44.80 3200, 4:17.68 1600
Why he is ranked here
Samuel Phlipot enters with a 15:54.30 5K, a 9:44.80 in the 3200, a 4:17.68 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
Samuel Phlipot 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. Bennett Lehman
School: Ansonia
Class: Senior
2025 5K: 15:17.91
2026 track: 9:16.30 3200, 4:16.15 1600
Why he is ranked here
Bennett Lehman owns the most important result in the division, a victory at the 2025 state championship. His 15:17.91 state winning performance was followed by 9:16.30 3200, 4:16.15 1600, giving the Ansonia standout both the championship résumé and the range required for the top position.
2026 outlook
Bennett Lehman 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.
Bennett Lehman begins as the defending champion and the clear No. 1, while Samuel Phlipot, Nigel Wenger, Caiden Squillante, Kolten Evans lead the pursuit. The mix of proven state performers, major track risers, and talented underclassmen should keep the division competitive well beyond the top five.
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.
