Warren High School junior Luke Rettenberger earned All-Ohio honors on Saturday at the state meet after clocking in with a time of 15 minutes and 57 seconds, which was good for 13th place. (Photo provided)

OBETZ, Ohio – There were plenty of reasons to celebrate following the conclusion of Saturday’s Ohio state cross country championships at Fortress Obetz & Memorial Park.

Warren’s Luke Rettenberger closed out his junior year in style by earning All-Ohio honors in Division II after finishing in 15 minutes and 57 seconds, which was good for 13th place.

“Luke finished off an outstanding season as a junior and we look for a great senior season from him,” admitted Warrior head coach Ryan Werry, who noted Rettenberger’s effort was the second fastest state clocking in Warrior history.

The junior, who is also Academic All-Ohio, is the first All-Ohio cross country athlete at Warren since Brent Ash did it back in 2015.

Warren’s girls, who were competing in Division III, finished in 23rd place with 497 points.

Ashlee Pate, who ran a 19:10 last year which was the fastest state meet time by a Warrior in school history, led the way and finished 100th. The junior had a time of 20 minutes and 26 seconds.

Coach Werry’s program also had scoring efforts from junior Rania Singh (124th, 20:49), freshman Adi Greenup (150th, 21:19), senior Hollyn Reed (174th, 22:03) and sophomore Julianna Huffman (177th, 22:10). Senior Cate Edgell placed 180th (22:19) and junior teammate Suzanna Whipkey was 208th (23:42).

“Our girls made school history by winning the district and qualified for state for the first time in 20 years,” added coach Werry.

“We are super proud of them. Seven of our eight girls were Academic All-Ohio with a 3.5 GPA and competing in the state race.”

Two other area runners also earned All-Ohio accolades by finishing in the top 24.

Waterford senior Gavin Offenberger, who was competing in Division IV, finished the course in 16 minutes and 13 seconds en route to 22nd place.

In the Division IV girls race, Shenandoah’s Ida Estadt made a return trip to the podium. A year ago as a sophomore, the Zep finished ninth (18:36) and on Saturday she crossed in 18 minutes and 54 seconds, which was good for 12th.

Also competing from the area was Marietta junior Hailey Powell (41st, 19;13, D2), while in boys Division IV Fort Frye junior Brody Griffin (92nd, 17:14) and Shenandoah junior Emmitt Slevin (148th, 17:51).