October. Like clockwork, the leaves change to golden and orange hues, the smell of apple cider fills the air, children don costumes in search of bite-sized candy bars… and the Minerva girls’ cross-country team competes for a state championship.
OK, so maybe that last one doesn’t quite fit, but you can’t deny that under coach Olivia Scott’s leadership, a run at the state title always seems to be in the cards.
If you need proof, let’s break it down: 2023, champions; 2022, fourth; 2021, champions; 2020, ninth; 2019, 14th; 2018, sixth; 2017, sixth; 2016, eighth; 2015, 14th. You have to go all the way back to 2014—well before Scott’s time—to find a year in which Minerva didn’t qualify for state.
This year looks to be no different, as the Lions enter the postseason ranked No. 1 in the Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches Division II state poll.
When Scott, who has coached at Minerva for six years, says, “This is the deepest and most talented team that I have ever had as a coach,” opponents should take notice.
The Lions have returned everyone from a squad that defeated Woodridge and Lexington in 2023. That Minerva lineup was young and didn’t have a runner finish in the top 15; Katie Ison’s 17th-place finish was the Lions’ best showing.
What Minerva did have, however, was depth and consistency. Seniors Kayla Crissman, Annabelle Crissman, Samantha Crissman, Hannah Ison, Katie Ison; juniors Gabby Lupshu and Makenna Jones; and sophomore Mackenzie Beavers are all letterwinners, now with more experience. Freshman Addison Keyser has also made an impact on the team.
Lupshu has noticeably stepped up, as has Beavers. Lupshu was Minerva’s top finisher at the Riverside Night Invitational, Wooster Invitational, and the Sandy Valley Invitational—where she led from start to finish against a field that included Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy. Meanwhile, Beavers recorded the Lions’ top finish at the Boardman Spartan XC Invitational.
If that’s not enough, Minerva has added multi-sport standout Tateum Richard. Though only a freshman, Richard has consistently been a top-five finisher for this deep squad.
“Tateum is a very talented freshman,” Scott said. “She has drive and wants to succeed and help her team while doing it. She does a great job juggling cross-country and soccer. Not a lot of kids could handle both at the level she does.”
Up next for the Lady Lions is the Division II district meet at Cambridge High School on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 12:15 p.m. Districts have become a formality for Minerva; the only other ranked team among the 21 competing is 14th-ranked West Holmes.
The top six teams, and any individual placing in the top 24 from a non-qualifying team, advance to the Pickerington Regional on Saturday, Oct. 26. After that, it’s off to Fortress Obetz and Memorial Park for the OHSAA Cross Country State Championships on Nov. 2.
Minerva has become quite familiar with both CVCA and Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown, currently ranked third and fourth, respectively, and the Lions defeated both convincingly at the Legends Meet a few weeks ago.
Perhaps Minerva’s biggest challenger is Athens, currently ranked second. The Bulldogs are led by junior Sophia Szolosi, who was runner-up at the state meet in 2023.
“I believe Athens is going to be tough to beat, but if anyone can do it, it’s us,” Scott said. “They are a strong but young team. We are very experienced, and on the big stage, that really helps. I’m excited to face them at regionals.”
It looks to be an exciting few weeks for Minerva fans as the Lady Lions prepare to defend their crown.
