OBETZ, Ohio — The Bellefontaine High School cross country program capped off a historic season on Saturday, testing themselves against Ohio's elite at the 2026 OHSAA State Championships at Fortress Obetz. Led by a veteran boys squad making a powerhouse team appearance and a legendary individual performance on the girls' side, the Chieftains proved their place among the state's best.

Grace Brown Caps Legendary Career with All-Ohio Honors

Senior Grace Brown closed out her Chieftain cross country career in impressive fashion

, serving as Bellefontaine’s lone female state qualifier. Competing in a relentless field, Brown fought her way to a stellar 34th-place finish, securing Second Team All-Ohio honors and cementing her status as a four-time All-Ohio athlete and current BHS school record holder.

Reflecting on the dedication behind her historic career, Brown shared the immense discipline it took to return to the state stage for a final time.

"I think something people might not realize about this season is how much went on behind the scenes," Brown said. "Whether that was waking up early to get my workouts in before heading to work, balancing two jobs over the summer while still making it to cross country and basketball practices, or dealing with injuries along the way, there was a lot that went into getting to this point.

One of the biggest challenges was finding a balance that allowed me to feel good physically and mentally while still having the confidence to go out and perform to the best of my ability. Looking back, I’m proud of the work I put in and the determination it took to get here."

Boys Squad Fights to 22nd in Elite Division II Field

In the boys' race, the Chieftains utilized depth and tactical pack running to navigate a fiercely competitive Division II field, coming away with a 22nd-place team finish (461 points).

Senior frontrunner Oliver Grandstaff delivered a spectacular final high school performance to lead the Chiefs. Navigating the 5,000-meter course in a blazing 16:13.00, Grandstaff placed 43rd individually out of nearly 200 state qualifiers to anchor the Chieftain lineup.

Following Grandstaff, junior Landon Gerwels clocked a strong 17:00.80 to cross the line in 127th place. Bellefontaine's remaining scorers relied on a tight pack to lock down their points. Senior Brenden Murray finished 163rd in 17:21.40, closely mirrored by classmate Jake Moreland, who crossed just a second later in 165th place (17:22.40).

Senior Will Myers rounded out the top five with a 170th-place finish at 17:26.00. Freshman Jackson Maus provided crucial insurance right on his teammates' heels in 172nd (17:27.60), while sophomore Andrew Myers completed the state roster with a hard-fought 17:47.70 (197th). The Division II team title went to Bowling Green, who edged out Lexington by a single point, 181 to 182.

A Lasting Legacy for BHS Distance

While the Chieftains fought hard for every single point in the standings, simply earning the right to line up at Fortress Obetz represents a monumental milestone. Navigating the brutal regional qualifying tiers to run on the state's biggest stage is a direct testament to the culture, grit, and tireless summer miles invested by this program.

With a heavy senior core departing—including leadership pillars like Brown, Grandstaff, Murray, Moreland, and Will Myers—the torch now passes to a promising group of underclassmen. Backed by the invaluable big-meet experience gained by the returning roster, the Chieftains have laid down a powerful blueprint for future seasons as they look to make a return trip to Obetz in 2027.