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Big Orange Boys Finish 2nd at State; Girls Claim 6th

11/1/2025

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DIII State Runner-up!  Congratulations to Coach Mike Louden and the Big Orange boys team.

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2025 All-Ohioans

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Big Orange Cross Country State Bound!

10/25/2025

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2025 Cross Country State Championships | ohsaa Box Office
https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/ohsaa/L2VtYmVkL2V2ZW50LzM3Mzcw
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Big Weekend for Big Orange Cross Country

10/19/2025

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On Saturday, the Big Orange high school boys and girls teams captured District Titles!

​The Girls Big Orange Cross Country Team competed in the Division 4 Southwest District at Cedarville.

This is considered a super-district where 31 schools compete in one race. The top 15 teams qualify for the regional meet. Additionally, the top 30 individuals non-qualifying teams make regionals. The first and second place teams are districts champions while the third and fourth place team are district runners-up.

The girls finished first overall out of 17 teams. This the 9th straight Big Orange district title!
Team Scoring (top 6 shown)
1. WL-S 66 District Champion
2. Ft. Loramie 80 District Champion
3. Versailles 85 District Runner-Up
4. Cedarville 114 District Runner-Up
5. Newton 126
6. Anna 230

WL-S Individual Results (out of 143 finishers)
Malia Miller 6th (19:50.2)
Addi Wallen 9th (20:16.6)
Gwen McCullough 11th (20:32.9)
Isla Leichty 12th (20:39.2)
Elia Matthews 30th (21:26.3)
Mariska Smith 35th (21:45.4)
Charlee Albers 39th (21:57)
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Coach’s comments: I am proud of girls’ effort to secure the program’s 9th straight district title. They are ready to transition into the last part of the season where they should have their best races.

The West Liberty-Salem boys, #4 in this week's D3 OATCCC State Rankings, claimed their 4th straight District Title and the program's 19th overall. (West Liberty-Salem competes in a super district where the top 2 teams are District Champions and the 3rd and 4th place teams are District Runners-up.)

So. Asher Cole 16:04.2 (3rd)
Sr. Caleb Larson 16:21.4 (5th)
Sr. Dylan King 16:44.3 (9th)
So. Brayan Gullett 17:06.3 (17th)
Sr. Garrett Wallen 17:29.2 (23rd)
Fr. Eric Hoover 17:49.4 (30th)
So. Zeke Longshore 18:40.3 (52nd)

Team Standings (Top 10)
Oakwood 52
West Liberty-Salem 57
Versailles 75
Anna 157
Waynesville 170
Milton Union 205
Bethel 208
Urbana 251
Brookville 280
Arcanum 299
Total Teams: 21
Total Runners: 149
Meet Record: 19-1
Season Record: 131-10

"Winning a 4th straight District Title against a talented D3 field is an amazing accomplishment and one we're extremely proud of. This marks the first time since the 1973-79 teams to win at least four straight District Titles."

"I thought we had a mix bag of individual performances, however the team result always wins the day, and today was a perfect example of us not being perfect across the board, and yet still finding a way to win a team title. Garrett Wallen and Eric Hoover had outstanding performances in comparison to a vast majority of the field. Both Eric and Garrett improved on their pre race seeding by 13-16 spots! I'm extremely proud of all seven guys and the guts they ran with today."
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Next Race: D3 Southwest Regional @ Troy Stadium 12:30 PM Saturday October 25th.

The following day, on Sunday at the Fortress at Obetz, the Big Orange Middle School teams competed in the OHSAA State Race in a steady downpour, battling wind, rain and a muddy course.
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The Big Orange girls team ran a fantastic team race and came away with a runner up finish and trophy🏆 What a great team effort and what a way to end our season. We came in second to a very good (D1) Beavercreek team. I hope you all know that we are so proud and so impressed with how you have improved and grown this season 🫶🏼
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Girls B Team Race 2nd out of 36 teams
Nika Matthews-10th 12:35 🏅
Elayna Hoover-20th 12:49 🏅
Lilly Woodruff-29th 12:59 🏅PR
Elin Leichty-34th 13:13
Iris Meister-53rd 13:38
Emily Finch-136th 14:55
Issabella Meyers-283rd 18:45 PR
295 Total Runners
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The Big Orange boys team finished 4th out of 44 teams. This field was stacked with some very good big schools. We are proud of how we finished! It’s been a fun ride with many wins and so much growth! You are a special group of competitors with so much grit and heart! 🧡

Boys B Team Race 4th out of 44 Teams
Milo Matthews-14th 11:22🏅
Caizen Anders-28th 11:39 🏅
Zeke Lauck-34th 11:46
Chafer Matthews-69th 12:06.13
Liam Harrington-71st 12:06.53
Raylan Wulf-83rd 12:14
Harrison Sutherin-91st 12:20 PR
Walker Williams-185th 13:11 PR
Jacob Bahan-228th 13:41 PR
Wyatt Brooks-234th 13:47
366 Total Runners

Open Race Finishers:
Bryce Michael-110th 15:18
Jett Ziegler-121st 15:30
Malachi Titus-123rd 15:33
163 Total Runners
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Familiar Faces Return to Help Big Orange

7/25/2025

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​This summer brings back some familiar faces back to the Big Orange cross country program with WLS alumni volunteering to help with the Run Club and high school girls team.  A reminder to all of us that Big Orange is family.
 
Katelyn Stapleton is a recent graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, where she was a member of the Bishops' cross country and track and field programs.
 
"If I could tell my younger self as a runner anything it would be this-Katelyn, keep finding the joys in each run and each workout.  The workouts (with the exception of speed development because obviously it was my favorite), aren't so horrible.  They're the bread and butter that gives you the fitness needed to accomplish the things we want to achieve.  And these workouts are time spent with teammates, and that time fades fast and soon you'll be wishing you could go back, even if that means dying in the 80 degree weather on the hills of the Ohio Caverns.  It's a balance between serious and fun, commitment and enjoyment, and it's all worth it, so keep showing up, working hard and keep that fire burning."
 
Katelyn will be teaching third grade at London City Schools in the fall.
 
Megan Adams is headed into her senior year at Lee University in Tennessee, where she is majoring in Health Sciences and is a member of the Flames cross country and track and field teams.  Megan plans on pursuing her masters in Nutrition and Dietetics.
 
"Always run with joy," is what Megan would tell her younger self.  She also advises to prioritize strength training and injury prevention.
 
Addison McAuley will be a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders.  Addison is also a member of the Wildcat's club cross country and track and field teams.
 
Addison's advice to her younger self is "slow down and enjoy every second."
 
Also volunteering were Mallory Bostick, Claire Longshore and Ashley Yoder.  Mallory will be a sophomore at Otterbein University, where she's a member of the track and field team and majoring in Zoo and Conservation Science.  Claire Longshore is employed in the dental field and is planning to pursue a degree in dental hygiene.  Ashley Yoder will be a sophomore at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, majoring in Exercise Science.  She's also a member of the cross country and track and field teams.
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Big Orange Boys & Girls Advance to State

10/31/2022

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2022 WL-S Girls Cross Country Team Advances to State
Photo by John Coffman
The West Liberty-Salem girls cross country team earned its seventh consecutive DIII state berth Saturday at the Troy Southwest Regional meet. The Big Orange ranked #5 in the latest DIII state coaches poll was edged out by #2 state-ranked Ft. Loramie by 1 point to place second overall.  The top three teams qualified for next week’s state meet.

The duo of Ashley Yoder and Malia Miller powered the Big Orange with top-10 finishes. Yoder placed 6th (19:46) and Miller 7th (19:51). Breece Gullet ran for 15th place (20:31) and Addison McAuley and Gwen McCullough recorded top 25 finishes with McAuley placing 22nd (20:49) and McCullough 23rd (20:52). Taylor Kennedy placed 37th (21:33) and Claire Longshore 51st (22:13).

“The girls left it all out on the course today against two top 10 state-ranked teams,” said WLS head coach, Ann Vogel. “I’m so proud of the fight and determination they showed throughout the race.  Qualifying for the state meet is always tough, and today’s race is a testament to their work ethic, love for their team, and commitment to the tradition of the Big Orange program.”
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WLS will compete at the OHSAA State Championships Saturday at The Fortress in Obetz starting at 11:45 a.m.
2022 WL-S Boys Cross Country Team Advances to State
West Liberty-Salem boys, #3 in this week’s OATCCC D3 State Poll, finished Regional Runner Up at the D3 Troy Regional. It’s the second consecutive year finishing Regional Runner Up and will be the teams 5th consecutive trip to State. It also marks the program’s 21st state appearance.
Sr. Owen Harrison 3rd 16:44.7; Fr. Garrett Wallen 13th 16:58.5; Jr. Joey LaRoche 20th 17:16.5 PR; Fr. Dylan King 21st 17:17.0 PR; So. Troy Bradley 29th 17:34.3; So. Quentin Rudolph 33rd 17: 40.2; Fr. Brevin Louden 46th 18:09.1

Comments from head coach Mike Louden:
“I’m very proud of the way this team responded after all of the sicknesses that has run its course through the program this week. Qualifying to state for the 5th consecutive year is a testament of this team’s fight and character. In fact, today we ran without Asher Knox the team’s #2 runner who didn’t compete because of illness. Just happy for the whole team stepping up in his absence and running an outstanding team race. We’re hopeful he’ll be back next week to help us at the state meet. Senior Owen Harrison ran an almost flawless race moving up methodically from 35th at mile 1 to finish in 3rd to lead the team. Freshmen Garrett Wallen rose to the occasion and delivered a top-15 finish, which is incredible for a freshmen. Junior Joey LaRoche and Freshmen Dylan King both had remarkable races and set career personal bests. Troy Bradley also ran a solid race rounding out the scoring for the Big Orange. Quentin Rudolph and Brevin Louden ran great races despite coming off of illnesses.”
Here’s the link for tickets and here is the link for directions and more information about the state meet at The Fortress in Obetz.
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Both Big Orange Squads Claim District Championships

10/25/2022

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​DIII Southwest District Champions!
This marks the sixth consecutive district title for the Big Orange girls.
2022 D3 Southwest District Cross Country Champs
2022 D3 Southwest District Cross Country Champs
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Big Orange Middle School Boys Win State, Girls Finish 2nd

10/25/2022

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​Congratulations to our middle school Big Orange teams!  Boys State Champs and Girls State Runner-up!
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Results:  FinishTiming.com
WL-S Middle School Boys Cross Country 2022 State Champs
STATE CHAMPS!
WL-S Middle School Girls Cross Country 2022 State Champs
State Runners-Up
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Middle School Big Orange Claim OHC Championships

10/24/2022

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​Congratulations to the Big Orange middle school and high school boys and girls teams who swept the OHC Championships.
OHC 2022 Cross Country Champs
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2022 WL-S Big Orange Winter Clothing Drive

10/5/2022

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The West Liberty-Salem girls cross country team will be collecting socks, hats, gloves and scarves October 10th-14th for those in need in our community.  The home rooms collecting the most items in the elementary, middle school and high school will receive a pizza party.  

If you would like to donate, but don’t have a family member attending WLS, contact Coach Ann Vogel or a member of the Big Orange cross country team.
Big Orange Socktober Sock Drive
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Adams Named GSC Cross Country Freshman of the Week

9/21/2022

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Megan Adams Lee University Freshman of the Week Cross Country
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- After finishing in 56th at the UNA Invitational, Megan Adams (West Liberty-Salem HS) was named the Gulf South Conference freshman of the week. Adams ran the 5K race in 18:01 to come in 54th. She helped the Lee University women's cross country team earn a seventh-place finish at the North Alabama Showcase.

The Lady Flames, ranked No. 10 in NCAA Division II, placed three runners in the top 40 on their way to recording 204 points. Alabama was the top team with 73 points, while Kentucky was right behind with 78. Georgia Tech (110), Auburn (125) and Kennesaw State (189) rounded out the top five teams. Southern Miss was just ahead of Lee in sixth with 196 points.

The Lady Flames will be in action again on October 1 in the 21st Annual Live in Lou Cross Country Classic at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Kentucky.
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Ann Vogel, Race Coordinator
Email:  [email protected]
Phone:  (937) 539-1120
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West Liberty, Ohio
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