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From Mercy McAuley golf to East Central football, these locals won state titles this year

alex harrison, cincinnati enquirer
·7 min read

When the Moeller Crusaders wrapped up their 4-1 win over Olentangy Orange in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I baseball state finals, they wrapped up the entire school year for sports in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Moeller's ninth baseball state title capped off another year full of championships for local athletes. Here are all the local state champs from the 2022-2023 season in the OHSAA, Kentucky High School Athletic Association and Indiana High School Athletic Association.

Fall

Football

East Central: East Central dominated New Prairie 37-7 in the IHSAA Class 4A state championship, earning the program's third state championship trophy.

East Central Trojans Peyton Pemberton (23) holds up the the trophy during the IHSAA Class 4A state championships Friday, Nov 25, 2022 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. East Central Trojans defeated the New Prairie Cougars, 37-7.
East Central Trojans Peyton Pemberton (23) holds up the the trophy during the IHSAA Class 4A state championships Friday, Nov 25, 2022 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. East Central Trojans defeated the New Prairie Cougars, 37-7.

Beechwood: Needing an extra point to tie the KHSAA Class 2A state final, Mayfield's kick fell incomplete to aid Beechwood to a 14-13 victory in head coach Noel Rash's final game leading the Tigers.

The Beechwood Tigers "Threepeat" as KHSAA Class 2A football champions in the KHSAA Class 2A state title game between Beechwood and Mayfield high schools Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.
The Beechwood Tigers "Threepeat" as KHSAA Class 2A football champions in the KHSAA Class 2A state title game between Beechwood and Mayfield high schools Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.

Golf

Kylee Heidemann, Mercy McAuley: The Mercy McAuley senior had been in the state tournament before, but finally claimed the state championship in her final try. Heidemann shot a 141 over two days, including a 69 in round two to clinch first place by two strokes.

Mercy McAuley's Kylee Heidemann receives her individual state champion medal at the OHSAA Girls Division I Golf State Tournament on Oct. 22 at The Ohio State University Golf Club in Columbus.
Mercy McAuley's Kylee Heidemann receives her individual state champion medal at the OHSAA Girls Division I Golf State Tournament on Oct. 22 at The Ohio State University Golf Club in Columbus.

Seven Hills boys: The Seven Hills team sat in second place in the Division III state tournament after shooting a 337 on day one. On day two, Seven Hills improved to take a 322 in day two, finishing first overall with a 659.

Tennis

Shyla Aggarwal, Mason: Aggarwal topped North Canton Hoover's Tess Bucher 6-2, 6-1 in the Division I state finals for her second individual state championship overall and her third trip to the finals.

Mason's Shyla Aggarwal, center, holds her Division I singles championship plaque during the OHSAA state tennis tournament at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022.
Mason's Shyla Aggarwal, center, holds her Division I singles championship plaque during the OHSAA state tennis tournament at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022.

Mason: Following the OHSAA tournament, the Mason girls won the team tennis title in the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association final four over Hoover. The title was the sixth-straight team title for the Comets in the tournament.

CHCA: In the Division II bracket of the OTCA team tournament, CHCA took down Hathaway Brown to clinch the state championship.

Cross country

Mason girls: The Comets had two runners finish in the top eight overall and had five runners finish in the top 25 of scoring runners, finishing with 75 points overall to win the Division I state championship.

Mason's Efa Paschka (1248) keeps a top-10 running pace in the Division I girls race at the OHSAA state cross-country championships, Nov. 5, 2022.
Mason's Efa Paschka (1248) keeps a top-10 running pace in the Division I girls race at the OHSAA state cross-country championships, Nov. 5, 2022.

Mason boys: Mason had a clean sweep of cross-country team titles as the boys also claimed the Division I title. The Comets finished in first thanks to 128 points scored, 14 points better than runner-up St. Xavier.

Luke Fox of St. Xavier and Braeden Fedders of Mason cross the finish line neck-n-neck in the Division I boys race at the OHSAA state cross-country championships, Nov. 5, 2022.
Luke Fox of St. Xavier and Braeden Fedders of Mason cross the finish line neck-n-neck in the Division I boys race at the OHSAA state cross-country championships, Nov. 5, 2022.

Beechwood girls: Beechwood's girls claimed the Class A title with 65 team points thanks to five runners finishing in the top 22 scoring placers.

St. Henry boys: Including individual champion Dixon Ryan, St. Henry cruised through the state finals run with just 53 points, bettering runner-up Villa Madonna by 50 points.

Conner boys: The Cougars won the Class 3A state championship with a team score of 73 points. Conner lapped the field as state runner-up Louisville St. Xavier finished with 154 points.

Dixon Ryan, St. Henry: The senior completed his Class A run in 16:03.83, nearly a 15-second-cushion between him and Bishop Brossart's Nathan Ruth.

Maddie Strong, Scott: The Scott junior won the Class 2A solo title with a time of 18:41.98.

Maddie Strong of Scott took home first place in the high school small school varsity 5k at the 2022 Mason Invitational Cross Country Meet Sept. 10, 2022.
Maddie Strong of Scott took home first place in the high school small school varsity 5k at the 2022 Mason Invitational Cross Country Meet Sept. 10, 2022.

Will Sheets, Covington Catholic: Sheets helped lead Covington Catholic to a third-place finish as a team as he finished in first place individually, running the final race in 15:28.20.

Soccer

Seton: A Shannon Ott goal in the second half gave Seton a 1-0 victory over Strongsville in the Division I state final and the first soccer state title in the school's history.

Seton High School girls soccer team celebrates winning the 2022 Division I state championship Friday, Nov. 11, at Lower.com field in Columbus, Ohio.
Seton High School girls soccer team celebrates winning the 2022 Division I state championship Friday, Nov. 11, at Lower.com field in Columbus, Ohio.

Cincinnati Country Day: A 1-0 in the Division III finals gave the Nighthawks their third state championship since 2018.

The Cincinnati Country Day Nighthawks girls soccer team celebrates winning the Division III state championship Nov. 11, 2022, at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.
The Cincinnati Country Day Nighthawks girls soccer team celebrates winning the Division III state championship Nov. 11, 2022, at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.

Volleyball

Ursuline Academy: After dropping the first set in the Division I state final to Rocky River Magnificat, the Lions regrouped to win the next three sets to finish as Ohio state champions for the eighth time.

Ursuline players show support to fellow students by serenading them after winning the state title. Ursuline Academy defeated Magnificat, 3-1, on Nov. 12, 2022, at the Wright State Nutter Center to earn the Division I state volleyball championship.
Ursuline players show support to fellow students by serenading them after winning the state title. Ursuline Academy defeated Magnificat, 3-1, on Nov. 12, 2022, at the Wright State Nutter Center to earn the Division I state volleyball championship.

Notre Dame: The Pandas finished the 2022 season with a 34-5 record with a state championship sweep over Paul Laurence Dunbar, 25-22, 25-11, 25-16.

Notre Dame players celebrate the aftermath of their state title as Notre Dame defeated Paul Laurence Dunbar 3-0 in the KHSAA state volleyball championship match Nov. 4, 2022, at George Rogers Clark High School.
Notre Dame players celebrate the aftermath of their state title as Notre Dame defeated Paul Laurence Dunbar 3-0 in the KHSAA state volleyball championship match Nov. 4, 2022, at George Rogers Clark High School.

Winter

Basketball

Princeton girls: Princeton picked up the program's third basketball state championship after going 28-2 on the year, including the 69-51 win over Olmstead Falls in the Division I state final.

Princeton forward Diawna Carter-Hartley (1) celebrates with Princeton forward Kali Fortson (21), Princeton guard Mari Gerton (3), and Princeton guard Sole Williams (15) after winning the OHSAA Division I state championship game at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Princeton defeated Olmsted Falls 69-51.
Princeton forward Diawna Carter-Hartley (1) celebrates with Princeton forward Kali Fortson (21), Princeton guard Mari Gerton (3), and Princeton guard Sole Williams (15) after winning the OHSAA Division I state championship game at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Princeton defeated Olmsted Falls 69-51.

Purcell Marian girls: Purcell Marian moved up to Division II after winning the Division III state title in 2022. No problem for the Cavaliers who had Ms. Basketball winner Dee Alexander lead them to a 57-48 victory over Canal Fulton Northwest for a repeat title.

Purcell Marian guard Nicohl Dicks (14) holds up the state championship trophy after Purcell Marian won the OHSAA Division II state championship game at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Purcell Marian defeated Northwest 57-48.
Purcell Marian guard Nicohl Dicks (14) holds up the state championship trophy after Purcell Marian won the OHSAA Division II state championship game at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Purcell Marian defeated Northwest 57-48.

Swimming and diving

St. Xavier: After ending its state championship streak in 2022, the Bombers returned atop the podium in February 2023. St. Xavier clinched the Division I state title with 287 points, 104 more than second-place Upper Arlington.

The team of Thackston McMullan, Max Ward, Alex Ingram and Kyle Silverstain won first place in the boys 200-yard freestyle relay for St. Xavier at the 2023 Division I Ohio High School Athletic Association Swimming and Diving Championships, Feb. 25, 2023.
The team of Thackston McMullan, Max Ward, Alex Ingram and Kyle Silverstain won first place in the boys 200-yard freestyle relay for St. Xavier at the 2023 Division I Ohio High School Athletic Association Swimming and Diving Championships, Feb. 25, 2023.

Relay state championship winners:

  • St. Xavier 200-yard medley relay

  • St. Xavier 200-yard freestyle relay

  • St. Xavier 400-yard freestyle relay

  • Indian Hill (boys) 200-yard medley relay

  • Indian Hill (boys) 400-yard freestyle relay

With victory secured, Gibson Holmes raises his hand as Indian Hill secures first place in the 400-yard freestyle relay at the 2023 Division II Ohio High School Athletic Association State Swimming and Diving Championships, Feb. 24, 2023.
With victory secured, Gibson Holmes raises his hand as Indian Hill secures first place in the 400-yard freestyle relay at the 2023 Division II Ohio High School Athletic Association State Swimming and Diving Championships, Feb. 24, 2023.

Individual state championship winners:

  • Thackston McMullan, St. Xavier: 200-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle

  • Addie Robillard, St. Ursula: 200-yard individual medley, 100-yard breaststroke

  • Taylor Bacher, CHCA: 200-yard freestyle

  • Julia Shafer: CHCA: 200-yard individual medley

  • Jason Zhao, Indian Hill: 500-yard freestyle

  • Logan Ottke, CHCA: 100-yard breaststroke

  • Gibson Holmes, Indian Hill: 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard individual medley

  • Lainy Kruger, Notre Dame: 100-yard breaststroke, 200-yard freestyle

  • Ella Boeres, Walnut Hills: 1-meter dive

Wrestling

Harrison girls: In the inaugural OHSAA girls state wrestling tournament, Harrison had first place in the state championship before the final day of the meet had even started. The Wildcats scored 97 points overall with two individual champions and four placers overall.

Harrison High School girls wrestling takes home the state title at the OHSAA 86th annual boys wrestling state tournament and the inaugural girls wrestling state tournament, March 10-12, 2023.
Harrison High School girls wrestling takes home the state title at the OHSAA 86th annual boys wrestling state tournament and the inaugural girls wrestling state tournament, March 10-12, 2023.

Individual champions:

  • Chloe Dearwester, Harrison: 105

  • Raegan Briggs, Harrison: 125

  • Jesse Foebar, Clermont Northeastern: 145

  • Elizabeth Madison, Loveland: 170

  • Eugene Harney, Sycamore: 150

  • Braden Blevins, Simon Kenton: 106

  • Landen Evans, Ryle: 113

Spring

Baseball

Moeller: The 31-3 Crusaders lost just one game to a team from Ohio all year and dominated their schedule all the way to a 4-1 win over Olentangy Orange in the Division I state championship. The win was the ninth state title in Moeller history.

Moeller pitcher Carson Marsh (29) and head coach Tim Held celebrate after the Crusaders' 2-0 win over Walsh Jesuit in the OHSAA state baseball Final Four game Thursday, June 8, 2023.
Moeller pitcher Carson Marsh (29) and head coach Tim Held celebrate after the Crusaders' 2-0 win over Walsh Jesuit in the OHSAA state baseball Final Four game Thursday, June 8, 2023.

Volleyball

Moeller: In the first boys volleyball tournament as an OHSAA-sanctioned sport, the Moeller Crusaders continued like they always have for the 11th overall volleyball title and third straight. Falling to a 2-0 deficit and facing a finals loss to Olentangy Liberty, Moeller picked up the reverse sweep for the historic victory.

The state championship trophy is awarded to the Moeller Crusaders at the inaugural OHSAA Division I Boys Volleyball State Championship, May 28, 2023.
The state championship trophy is awarded to the Moeller Crusaders at the inaugural OHSAA Division I Boys Volleyball State Championship, May 28, 2023.

Tennis

Drew Evans/Carson Dwyer, St. Xavier: Evans, a senior, and Dwyer, a freshman, teamed up to claim the state championship in Division I doubles, topping a duo from Sycamore in the state finals.

Kalei Christensen/Alex Yeager, Covington Catholic: Down to a third-set tiebreaker, Christensen and Yeager took the final game 10-7 over their opponents from Greenwood to become the first doubles state champs in school history.

Alex Yeager and Kelei Christensen of Covington Catholic won a Kentucky High School Athletic Association doubles tennis title Thursday, June 1, in Lexington.
Alex Yeager and Kelei Christensen of Covington Catholic won a Kentucky High School Athletic Association doubles tennis title Thursday, June 1, in Lexington.

Sycamore boys: After placing individuals in third and fourth place in the OHSAA Division I tournament, Sycamore was led by Nick Meyers and Nicholas Choo to a team title in the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association Division I tournament.

Seven Hills boys: In the Division II finals of the OTCA tournament, Seven Hills took down Lexington for the state title.

The Seven Hills boys tennis team after winning the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association Division II state title.
The Seven Hills boys tennis team after winning the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association Division II state title.

Track and field

Beechwood girls: Beechwood scored 100 points in its run to the Class A state championship, topping runner-up Bishop Brossart by 32 points on the final scoreboard.

Walton-Verona boys: After finishing as the state runner-up in 2022, Walton-Verona scored 64 points to edge Louisville Collegiate's 56 points to finish first overall.

Relay state championship winners:

  • St. Xavier 4x800-meter relay

  • La Salle 4x100-meter relay

  • Waynesville (girls) 4x800-meter relay

  • Bishop Brossart (girls) 4x100-meter relay

  • Beechwood (girls) 4x200-meter relay

  • Beechwood (girls) 4x400-meter relay

  • Walton-Verona (boys) 4x200-meter relay

  • Bishop Brossart (boys) 4x800-meter relay

  • Holmes mixed 4x100-meter relay

  • Highlands (boys) 4x800-meter relay

  • Covington Catholic 4x800-meter relay

Individual state championship winners:

  • Chloe Hein, Bishop Brossart: long jump

  • Al Bessler, St. Henry: triple jump

  • Will Sheets, Covington Catholic: 3,200 meters

  • Viktoriya Emelianova, Ryle: shot put

  • Jackson Smith, Walton-Verona: 100 meters, 200 meters

  • Grady Shay, Walton-Verona: 110-meter hurdles

Rugby

Withrow: Withrow's Division II rugby squad won the school's first team state championship since 1950 by knocking off two-time defending champions Watkins Memorial 36-34 in the state final.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Take a look back at local preps state champions in 2022-2023