KENTUCKY STATE MEET

O'Shea Runs Fastest State Meet Time (17:07) For Her Fifth Individual Crown

By Mary Albl of DyeStat 

Ciara O’Shea finished her last high school state meet just like she started it five years ago when she was in the eighth grade – with a win. On Saturday at the Kentucky High School State Cross Country Championships in Paris, the Madison Central senior became the first female in state history to win five individual titles. 

O’Shea covered the 5-kilometer course at Bourbon Country Park in an all-class and course record time of 17 minutes, 7.6 seconds to win the 3A title. O’Shea, who is No. 4 in the latest DyeStat Individual rankings, was a minute faster than the next finisher, Jessica Secor of Dupont Manual (18:07.6), who helped her team to a state title with 77 points. 

In the boys race, Will Sheets of Covington Catholic was first in 15:28.2. Conner successfully defended its 3A team championship (73 points).

Lexington Catholic easily repeated its 2A girls team title with 64 points as four runners placed in the top 12. Individually, Scott’s Maddie Strong finished first in 18:41.98.

In the boys 2A race, Thomas Nelson’s Riku Sugie won the individual title in 15:38.43.

Adam Patel of North Oldham helped his team win the state championship with 79 points. He finished second in 15:41.4. 

St. Henry senior Dixon Ryan led his team to a 1A state title as he won the race in 16:03.8. St. Henry placed four runners in the top 15. 

The Beechwood girls dethroned Lexington Christian for the team title with 65 points. Lily Parke led Beechwood with a second-place finish (19:29.2) as five runners placed in the top 22. Haley Schoenegge of Kentucky Country Day won the 1A girls race in 19:00.3.

Team Champions

Class 3A: Conner 73 points; Dupont Manual girls 77 points - RESULTS

Class 2A: North Oldham boys 79 points; Lexington Catholic girls 64 points - RESULTS

Class 1A: St. Henry District boys 53 points; Beechwood girls 65 points - RESULTS