Top returning boys and girls high school cross country runners in Wayne/Holmes County
County Runners Gear Up for Cross Country Season
The starting gun fires August 18th as Wayne/Holmes County high schools take to the cross country course. With a postseason culminating in the state finals on November 1st, anticipation is building for another exciting season.
Boys: Returning Standouts
Judah Hershberger (Dalton): After placing 79th at last year’s Division III state meet – the highest of any Dalton boy runner – Hershberger is poised to lead his team as a senior.
Tripp Wingate (Norwayne): A Division II state qualifier last year, Wingate finished 92nd overall with a best time of 15:59.80. The Norwayne senior looks to improve on that performance this season.
Luke Snyder (Rittman): Snyder is a name to watch in Division IV. The reigning back-to-back Division III state champion, he dominated the competition with wins in 2023 (14:58.13) and 2024 (15:23.10). His quest for a three-peat will be one of the season’s most compelling storylines.
Caleb Bolender & Bryen Valerio (Rittman): These Rittman teammates played crucial roles in their team's ninth-place finish at last year’s Division III state meet. Valerio placed 61st with a best time of 16:30.87, while Bolender finished 109th (17:06.28).
Jackson & Jaydon Varner (Waynedale): These senior brothers are known for their consistency. Jackson earned All-Ohio honors with a 16th-place finish at the Division III state meet, while Jaydon came in 43rd.
Wyatt Moore (Waynedale): Along with the Varner brothers, Moore helped Waynedale secure a sixth-place overall team finish at last year’s state meet.
Girls: Returning Stars
Lillith Dreibelbis (Norwayne): Dreibelbis aims to lead Norwayne as their top runner after placing 51st at last year's Division III state meet.
Adyson Fosen & Annabelle Snyder (Rittman): These sophomore teammates both earned All-Ohio honors with podium finishes last season. Fosen placed 15th, and Snyder came in 18th.
Brooke Bowlby & Selah Amos (Rittman): Both played key roles in Rittman’s third-place finish at the Division III state meet last year. Bowlby placed 41st, while Amos finished 85th. The team looks to build on their success with a strong return.
Kaitlyn Carr (Smithville): A three-time track and field state champion, Carr’s only missing achievement is a cross country title. After placing third at the Division III state meet in both 2023 (18:02.70) and 2022 (17:49.86), she has another shot at the crown as a senior.
Maryn Erdman (Smithville): Carr’s track teammate, Erdman is also poised for success in Division IV. After placing 27th at last year's Division III state meet and earning All-Ohio honors, she aims to climb the podium this season.
Piper Polen (Waynedale): Polen made a strong debut as a freshman, qualifying for the Division III state meet and finishing 95th. Her best time was 19:46.20.
Iriel Mena (West Holmes): As a freshman, Mena made the Division II state meet, placing 69th and contributing to West Holmes' tenth-place team finish.