The road to the 2027 cross country season begins with an impressive group of returning talent spread across the area.

Leading the way is West Geauga senior Ian Res, whose sixth-place finish at the Division II state meet and blazing 15:37 postseason best make him the area’s top returning runner. Close behind are Chagrin Falls senior Kelan Byrne, Grand Valley senior Sam Steimle, and Mentor senior Carter Schaubert, each of whom established themselves among Ohio’s elite last fall.

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The team race promises to be just as compelling. Mentor returns five runners from a Division I state team that finished sixth, making the Cardinals a preseason favorite. Chagrin Falls brings back nearly its entire lineup from a Division III state qualifier that placed 10th, while Kenston returns one of the deepest groups in Division II. Schools like West Geauga, University School, Orange, Gilmour Academy, and Berkshire also return experienced lineups capable of making postseason noise.

With state qualifiers, regional placers, and emerging young stars throughout the area, the 2027 season has the potential to be one of the strongest in recent memory.

Top 30 Returning Runners

1. Ian Res, Sr., West Geauga

15:37.06

The area’s top returning runner after finishing sixth at the Division II state meet. Ian Res has already proven he can compete with Ohio’s best and enters the season as the favorite to contend for a state championship.

2. Kelan Byrne, Sr., Chagrin Falls

15:53.31

A two-time postseason standout, Kelan Byrne led the Tigers to a top-10 finish at the Division III state meet and remains one of Northeast Ohio’s premier distance runners.

3. Sam Steimle, Sr., Grand Valley

16:03.92

Sam Steimle finished 10th at the Division IV state meet and third at regionals. His consistency makes him one of the state’s top Division IV contenders.

4. Carter Schaubert, Sr., Mentor

16:07.85

The leader of Mentor’s outstanding lineup, Carter Schaubert helped the Cardinals place sixth at the Division I state meet.

5. James Marcin, Jr., Chagrin Falls

16:16.12

Already among the area’s elite as a junior, James Marcin gives Chagrin Falls one of the best one-two punches in Ohio alongside Byrne.

6. Gabe Tulenson, Sr., Mentor

16:20.12

A dependable scorer throughout Mentor’s state tournament run, Gabe Tulenson returns as one of Division I’s top veterans.

7. Matthew Collins, Sr., Kenston

16:25.03

Matthew Collins paced the Bombers at the Division II state meet and will anchor one of the area’s deepest teams.

8. Tyler Cingcade, So., Kenston

16:32.03

One of the top returning sophomores in the region, Tyler Cingcade enjoyed a breakthrough postseason and has tremendous upside.

9. Huck Rundo, So., Kenston

16:41.99

Another young standout, Huck Rundo gives Kenston impressive depth at the front of its lineup.

10. Samuel Lanning, Jr., Kenston

16:48.57

Samuel Lanning is a returning state qualifier whose experience should be invaluable as Kenston chases another postseason berth.

11. Thomas Lodowski, Sr., University School

16:51.38

Thomas Lodowski is a steady senior leader who qualified for the state meet and consistently performed against elite competition.

12. Nicholas Penkowski, Sr., Mentor

16:51.82

Nicholas Penkowski, Mentor’s fourth returning state runner, gives the Cardinals remarkable depth.

13. Griffin Berlin, Jr., Orange

16:53.92

Griffin Berlin, Orange’s top returning runner, qualified for state and should contend for all-region honors again.

14. Cody Weber, Jr., Jefferson 

16:55.19

Cody Weber emerged as one of Division III’s best runners, qualifying for state while leading the Falcons.

15. Shawn Castiglione, Jr., Mentor

16:55.73

Shawn Castiglione is yet another returning state qualifier from Mentor’s loaded lineup.

16. Evan Lindley, Sr., Gilmour Academy

16:57.82

Evan Lindley is a proven postseason performer who gives Gilmour an experienced front-runner.

17. Brennan Coley, Sr., University School

17:04.67

Brennan Coley returns after qualifying for state and should once again be among the area’s top seniors.

18. Will Vosen, Jr., Mentor

17:06.40

The Cardinals return five state competitors, and Will Vosen is another key contributor to that impressive depth.

19. Matthew Ghobrial, Jr., Chardon

17:14.04

Matthew Ghobrial is one of the top regional performers who narrowly missed advancing to state.

20. Asher Hardis, Sr., Beachwood

17:18.37

Asher Hardis returns after an excellent regional performance and should lead Beachwood once again.

21. Aiden Hollingsworth, Jr., Berkshire

17:22.87

Aiden Hollingsworth is one of the area’s fastest returning juniors and the leader of another experienced Berkshire squad.

22. Joey Ciavarelli, Sr., Kirtland

17:29.73

Joey Ciavarelli is a returning state qualifier who gives the Hornets an experienced front-runner.

23. Peter Mitchell, Sr., Chagrin Falls

17:30.48

Peter Mitchell is an important piece of Chagrin Falls’ state lineup who returns for one more postseason run.

24. Kyle Nedved, Sr., NDCL

17:32.93

Kyle Nedved is a veteran regional qualifier capable of climbing higher in the postseason this fall.

25. Carter Cline, So., Edgewood

17:39.25

Carter Cline is one of the area’s best young runners after qualifying for the Division III state meet as a freshman.

26. Reece Kovach, Sr., Edgewood

17:45.82

Reece Kovach is a returning state qualifier who forms a strong duo with Cline.

27. Danny Auth, Sr., Berkshire

17:36.32

Danny Auth is an experienced regional runner who should continue to push Berkshire forward.

28. Hunter Kline, Jr., Perry

17:56.55

Hunter Kline is one of Perry’s top returning runners after another strong postseason.

29. Landon Rusnak, Sr., Perry

17:53.01

Landon Rusnak returns after leading Perry through another successful regional campaign.

30. Thoral Mitchell, Jr., Chagrin Falls

17:29.93

Thoral Mitchell, the fourth Tiger on this list, underscores just how dangerous Chagrin Falls could be in 2027.

Top 10 Returning Teams

1. Mentor 

The Cardinals return five runners from a Division I team that finished sixth at the state meet, making them the preseason favorite. Their combination of front-end talent and remarkable depth is unmatched in the area.

2. Chagrin Falls

The Tigers bring back nearly their entire lineup from a Division III state team that placed 10th. Led by Kelan Byrne and James Marcin, they have legitimate podium potential.

3. Kenston

Few teams can match Kenston’s returning depth. Four runners posted postseason times under 16:50, giving the Bombers one of the strongest cores in Northeast Ohio.

4. University School

The Preppers return multiple state qualifiers and enough veteran leadership to remain one of Division II’s top programs.

5. West Geauga

Ian Res headlines the area’s fastest returning individual, and the Wolverines also return several experienced regional runners capable of supporting another strong postseason push.

6. Orange

Griffin Berlin leads a Lions squad that returns nearly its entire scoring lineup, giving Orange a chance to move up the standings throughout the fall.

7. Gilmour Academy

The Lancers return six regional qualifiers and plenty of experience, making them one of the deepest Division III teams in the region.

8. Berkshire

Aiden Hollingsworth, Danny Auth and a veteran supporting cast give Berkshire another team capable of competing for a regional berth.

9. Edgewood

With returning state qualifiers Carter Cline and Reece Kovach leading the way, the Warriors possess one of the area’s best front-running duos.

10. Jefferson 

Cody Weber headlines a Falcons team that returns much of its regional lineup and should remain in the hunt for another postseason appearance.