The Olentangy Liberty boys cross country team won the Ohio Capital Conference championship Saturday, Oct. 17, at Hilliard Bradley. It is the program's first OCC title since 2017 and only the third in school history.
OLHS Athletics announced the title on X, posting photos of the team and writing, "For the first time since 2017 and 3rd time ever, Patriot Cross Country is OCC CHAMPS!"
Liberty won with 44 points, ahead of Olentangy Orange’s 72. Aarush Talekar finished fifth (16:20.5), Tommy Strunck sixth (16:28.0), Connor Zimmerman seventh (16:34.1), Brandon Craig 11th (16:47.8) and William Bushbaker 15th (16:59.0), according to Timing First’s results.
At the Celtic Clash at Dublin Jerome, the boys finished fifth out of 22 teams with 136 points, according to the Olentangy Liberty athletics website. Junior Aarush Talekar led the way, finishing 11th overall. Sophomore Caleb Legge placed in the top 25.
Tommy Strunck (32nd), Carter Dillman (35th), Eliot Tully (36th), Will Bushbaker (49th) and Ishaan Chandakkar (60th) rounded out Liberty’s top seven at the Celtic Clash.
At the Bear Den Bash, hosted by Olentangy Berlin, Talekar ran a 15:41 to finish 23rd in a 25-team field. The finish helped the Patriots place seventh against top programs from across the state, according to the school's student-athlete of the week feature. That time ranked as the fourth-fastest in Liberty school history.
Liberty competes in the Ohio Capital Conference.
The Patriots now turn to the postseason. The Division I regional meet is scheduled for Oct. 31 at Pickerington North, according to the Delaware Source. The state meet follows Nov. 7 at Fortress Obetz.
