Milford's girls cross country team captured the program's first Division I state championship Saturday, Nov. 7, scoring 111 points at Fortress Obetz & Memorial Park in Obetz.
The Eagles beat runner-up Mason by 34 points to claim the title, according to the Clermont Sun. It is Milford High School's first OHSAA team championship since 1989 and just the second in school history, according to the Clermont Sun.
Senior Elle Campbell, an Ohio State commit and three-time Eastern Cincinnati Conference Runner of the Year, led the way with an eighth-place finish in 18:20.3. That earned her all-Ohio honors and marked her best result in three trips to the state meet.
Campbell started 59th through the first 400 meters. She climbed 39 spots after the first mile, reached 11th by the second mile and helped the team overtake Upper Arlington in the final stretch.
"This has been the goal since the beginning, so for this to all come true, it's just amazing," Campbell told the Clermont Sun.
The Eagles' depth sealed the win. Maren Barnett finished 28th in 19:07.3. Seniors Lauren Johnson (34rd, 19:13.2) and Katie Reckman (40th, 19:18.3) packed tight behind her. Sophomore Nora Lindley placed 57th in 19:27.7, with Shahd Masud (68th, 19:34.9) and Schylar Sperl (74th, 19:38.9) completing Milford’s seven-runner lineup.
The championship caps a three-year climb. The girls first qualified for state in 2024 and finished seventh. They improved to fifth in 2025 after winning their first regional title. This fall they repeated as regional champions, then broke through at state.
Campbell told the Clermont Sun that when she was a freshman, no one from Milford made it to state. Year by year, the team moved up on the podium, and the shared experience of getting there together made the title run more meaningful.
Head coach Matthew Jorden, a 1999 Milford graduate in his 27th year coaching cross country and track at the school, called the result overwhelming. He said the team had been working toward this for three years, and seeing them execute the race plan and run their best was deeply satisfying, according to the Clermont Sun.
Milford's boys team also competed at state for the first time since 1988. Henry Newman finished eighth individually, and the boys placed ninth as a team, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Teays Valley senior Reese Galinger won the individual girls title in 17:51, according to OHSAA Sports on X. Mason senior Atalia Hawkins was the individual runner-up at 17:57.9, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
