The West Liberty-Salem Boys Cross Country Team, ranked #4 in this week’s OATCCC Division III State Rankings, capped off a historic season by finishing as the 2025 Division III State Runner-Up at Fortress Obetz on Saturday!
This marks the program’s first podium finish since the state championship era of 1976–1979, solidifying the Big Orange’s place among the best in Ohio.
🥈 State Runner-Up Team Results
Total Runners: 215
Total Teams: 24
Meet Record: 22-1
Season Record: 169-14
Top 10 Team Standings:
🥇 Woodridge – 65
🥈 West Liberty-Salem – 162
🥉 Oakwood – 165
4. Cincinnati CHCA – 168
5. Versailles – 218
6. Minerva – 223
7. Fairless – 230
8. Liberty Benton – 260
9. Fairfield Union (Defending DII State Champs) – 267
10. Chagrin Falls – 270
👟 Individual Results
Sr. Caleb Larson – 10th (15:39.60) 🥇 1st Team All-Ohio
So. Asher Cole – 17th (15:47.35) 🥇 1st Team All-Ohio
Sr. Dylan King – 39th (16:23.62) 🥈 2nd Team All-Ohio
So. Brayan Gullett – 47th (16:30.44) 🥈 2nd Team All-Ohio
Sr. Garrett Wallen – 109th (17:06.52)
So. Zeke Longshore – 153rd (17:37.17)
Fr. Eric Hoover – 154th (17:37.26)
🗣️ Coach’s Reflections
“Today marked the end of the journey for the 2025 season — and what a finish it was,” shared Coach. “We set the goal at the beginning of the year to podium and bring hardware back to West Liberty-Salem, and we did just that. This accomplishment is a true testament to the togetherness and resilience this team displayed all season. To put everything together just one week after finishing 4th at Regionals is simply incredible.
This one’s for all Big Orange runners, past and present. I’m so proud of these young men — it’s a day they’ll remember forever.”
The coach also extended a heartfelt thank you to the administration, staff, parents, alumni, and assistant coaches who supported the team throughout the year:
“The Big Orange program is truly blessed!”
🍊 Coach’s Notes on the Team
Sr. Caleb Larson saved his best race for last, improving on last year’s 13th-place finish with a career PR of 15:39.60 and earning 1st Team All-Ohio honors for the second straight year.
So. Asher Cole gave the Big Orange a solid 1-2 punch, earning 1st Team All-Ohio with his 17th-place finish in 15:47.35.
Sr. Dylan King and So. Brayan Gullett provided the crucial middle-pack strength, placing 39th and 47th respectively, both earning 2nd Team All-Ohio honors.
Sr. Garrett Wallen battled with grit, finishing 109th in 17:06.52.
So. Zeke Longshore and Fr. Eric Hoover both competed in their first-ever state meets, finishing less than a tenth of a second apart in 153rd and 154th — a strong showing for the program’s future.
🎓 Senior Shoutout
A special thank you to the program’s five seniors — Caleb Larson, Dylan King, Brevin Louden, Levi Miller, and Garrett Wallen — for their dedication, leadership, and legacy.
“Your loyalty, passion, and success will go down as one of the best senior classes ever for the Big Orange. I appreciate and love all five of these young men.” ❤️🍊
📸 Photo Credit: John Coffman
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