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Tag: State

  • Crestview Boys and Girls Track Teams are going to State Championships.

    When does something become a tradition?

    It was just earlier this school year, that Crestview added another state championship to their overflowing trophy case, this time in Cross Country.

    Will they be adding Track and Field trophies next?

    It certainly looks like it’s possible, and this small-town community couldn’t be more ready.

    For the third straight season, the Convoy Crestview Knights Boys and Girls Teams, will be strongly represented at the Ohio State High School Track and Field Championships.

    For the boys; Drayden Hoffman, Hayden Perrott, Braxton Leeth, and Liam Putman, qualified for the 4×200 relay.

    Hayden Perrott, will also run in the 400M.

    Hudson Perrott, will run in the 1600.

    Derek Young, will run in the 3200.

    Lincoln Smith (who has committed to run cross country at D1 North Alabama), will run the 3200 and 1600.

    For the girls; Lydia Grace, Delanie Balliet, Ellieanah Ward, and Grayle Grose, qualified for the 4×100 relay.

    The team also broke their own school record at 50.03 seconds.

    Ellieanah Ward will also compete for the State Championship in the Long Jump.

    Alternates runners are; Marissa Gros, Brentyn Rodriguez, Beckam Putman, Kale Vining, and Ian Owens.

    I spoke with Knights Coach John Rosebrock, after the teams were welcomed back into town, with lights and sirens, surrounded by the volunteer fire department trucks and EMS.

    I asked him about the consistency the program has shown over this quarter of a decade.

    “I’ll say the cross. They just brought a juice, that quite honestly, we can count on. We have a belief that if we work hard, we can do great things.”

    This is a senior heavy class. I asked him how the previous years, have prepared them for what’s coming up.

    “You can see it in their face. You can see it when they warm up. They want to win. I don’t have to remind them of this and that. You don’t see any of that. They just prepare and run, and that’s the point, because they know what to expect.”

    I asked if he was going to do anything different in practice, or if they were just going to keep everything the same.

    “No, we’re just going to keep on practicing like we have this last week.”

    Coach Rosebrock told me that he usually lets the kids pick where they’re going to eat, but, this year, he is going to choose. LOL. It was quite funny, and showed his sense of humor.

    The Ohio State High School Track and Field State Championships are from June 4th through June 6th, at Jesse Owens Memorial Field, on the campus of The Ohio State University.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Pictures courtesy of…..Alicia Perrott and thevwindependent.

  • Crestview Boys Cross Country Team Wins Schools First State Championship.

    Crestview Knights cross country team celebrating their victory on the podium at the OHSAA State Championships, with the championship banner displayed.

    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.

    A Crestview runner in a black uniform with blue lettering, wearing bib number 7006, focused and determined while competing in the 2025 OHSAA Cross Country State Championship.

    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.

    Celebrating Crestview Knights cross country team members sharing a joyful moment after winning the state championship.

    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.

    A young male athlete celebrating while lifting the state championship trophy for Division IV Boys Cross Country in 2025, wearing a medal and showing excitement.

    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.

    A celebratory parade scene with the Crestview Knights cross country team on a float, surrounded by confetti and a cheering crowd.

    As well as toilet papering the fall foliage, in the front of the school on the main road.

    A festive scene in a park featuring trees decorated with toilet paper streamers, surrounded by a group of people celebrating.

    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.

    Head coach Randy Grandstaff speaking at a podium in a gymnasium during a pep assembly, with various trophies and awards visible in the foreground.

    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.”

    Members of the Crestview Knights cross country team seated in a gymnasium, wearing their medals and team attire, reflecting on their recent state championship victory.

    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.

    A display of trophies and awards celebrating the Crestview Knights' achievements in cross country, with the state championship trophy prominently featured on a table in a gymnasium.

    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.