In the small town of Obetz, Ohio; the best cross country teams and runners in the state, were locked in and ready to go, on a cold 46 degree Saturday morning.
The young student athletes, family and friends, who all made the trip, were buzzing with excitement.
In Division 4, there was a team looking to finish some unsettled business from a season ago.
The Crestview Knights finished state runner-up last season. It was something that they carried with them through offseason training, and throughout the regular season, as they ran.
These boys were running with determination and purpose.
These boys were running for a title.
These boys were running for history.
Senior Lincoln Smith led the Knights, finishing in 17th place and earning 1st Team All-Ohio Honors.
As runners crossed the finish line, and the results were posted, the boys were beginning to realize that they were indeed Division 4 State Champions.
The Crestview Knights beat their biggest cross country rival, the Columbus Grove Bulldogs, and that made it all the sweeter.
The Knights ended up tallying 86 points, while the Bulldogs finished as the runner-up with 99 points.
In cross country, the lower the score, the better.
Crestview Knights lone senior Lincoln Smith lifting the state championship trophy high.
In the typical small-town fashion, that I’ve come to know and love, the tiny town of just over 1,000 people, welcomed the team home as champions, with lights, sirens, silly string and confetti.
As well as toilet papering the fall foliage, in the front of the school on the main road.
At the pep assembly inside the gymnasium, head coach Randy Grandstaff was emotional at the microphone.
He pointed out Knights runners 1 through 5, all finished within 46 seconds of each other.
Talking about how much hard work the boys put in over the summer.
The determination they ran with over the entire season.
After the assembly, I spoke to championship winning head coach Randy Grandstaff.
My first question was how does it feel to hear those words state champions?
“It’s a pretty good thing to hear. It still hasn’t really set it yet. I’m so proud of these boys, and everything they accomplished.”
In their individual speeches, a lot of the boys thanked Senior Lincoln Smith for his leadership and friendship. They spoke about how much they appreciate him and how much they’ll miss him. I asked Coach Grandstaff, what it means to have that type of runner and leader on the team?
“Yeah, when you have that type of runner and leader, all the others follow. It makes my job just a touch easier when you have that type of person. I’m thankful for everything Lincoln has done his entire career here with us.”
It came down to Knights runners 4 and 5, as they finished ahead of the Bulldogs runners. They really brought it home. I asked Coach what it was like seeing those guys run their best race, when it mattered most.
“Yeah, that’s the great thing about cross country. When one or two guys aren’t having a good day, others step up to the plate and help the team out, and honestly, that’s exactly what happened today. We had people step up, and now we are state champions.”
Lincoln is the only senior on the team. The Knights have a lot of talent coming back next season. I asked if he had any expectations for next season?
“Yeah, it would be nice if we could repeat. It’s going to be a challenge. An even bigger challenge than going from second place in Division 3 to being state champions of Division 4.”
I congratulated Coach Grandstaff, and the team on their historical achievement.
All the hardware from an incredible 2025 season, with the State Championship Trophy, right up front.
– by Sean McKenzie
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Some photos courtesy of…..Wyatt Richardson of Richardson Photography.
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