Ohio high school track championships: Ellis, Loveland relay secure state titles amid weather delays
Significant weather disruptions postponed numerous events, but key Division I and II finals proceeded, delivering record-breaking performances and collegiate commitments.
The third day of the 2026 Ohio High School Athletic Association track and field state championships in Columbus was defined by tactical precision and record-setting endurance, despite significant weather delays that pushed many events to Sunday, 7 June. The day’s headline results came from St. Xavier’s Dom Ellis, who claimed the Division I boys 3,200-metre run title, and the Loveland Tigers women’s 4x800-metre relay team, which secured the Division II championship.
Ellis, a senior and Indiana University commit, employed a conservative strategy to manage his energy for upcoming races. He sat in 15th place at the 800-metre mark before steadily advancing to second by the halfway point, ultimately taking the lead in the final three laps. He finished ahead of Little Miami’s Ryne Reynolds and Mason’s Caden Winship, with a final 400-metre split of 1:00.53. Ellis noted his preference for a tactical approach over an aggressive start, a method that has defined his season.
In the Division II women’s 4x800-metre relay, the Loveland Tigers delivered a commanding performance to set a new state record of 9:05.14. The quartet of Delaney Cilley, Brynleigh Scherman, Emma Todd, and Caroline Murnan executed a disciplined race. Cilley and Scherman maintained the lead through the first two legs, while Todd held second place before handing off to anchor Murnan.
Murnan, a Butler University commit, closed the race with a split of 2:08.01, pulling away from the competition in the final 200 metres. Her performance not only secured the title but also marked a significant milestone for the programme, which had previously broken its school record at regionals and won district and conference titles earlier in the season.
Talawanda’s Abra Mills also delivered a standout performance, winning bronze in the Division II girls 3,200-metre run. The Ball State University commit finished in 10:37.62, breaking a 40-year-old school record and achieving a 17-second personal best. Mills, who spent her early high school years in England, described the race as a breakthrough moment, noting that she felt strong throughout and refused to hold back.
The championships highlighted the depth of talent in Ohio’s high school athletics, with several athletes transitioning to collegiate programmes. Ellis, Murnan, and Mills are all committed to major universities, underscoring the state meet’s role as a critical platform for developing elite distance runners. The event concluded with a focus on the remaining finals scheduled for Sunday.
