LaSalle's Allen Bader wins the Division I race. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        COLUMBUS — The expression on Andy Wietmarschen's face told it all.

        After finishing seventh in the Ohio Division I state cross country meet at Scioto Downs, Wietmarschen turned to see who was behind him.

        When Wietmarschen saw teammates Tim King and Ryan Busse, the St. Xavier senior broke into tears, knowing the Bombers had won the Division I state championship for the second time in three years.

        More than 20 seconds earlier, LaSalle junior Allen Bader made it two titles in a row for LaSalle runners by winning the Division I individual race in 15:20. The Lancers finished second in the team standings.

        Steve Padgett, who was the first to congratulate Bader, won the Division I title for LaSalle last year.

        “I was 42nd last year,” Bader said. “Today I went for the lead and fought off a challenge after the first mile.”

        The Bombers' top five runners combined for an average time of 16 minutes flat, breaking the state record of 16:06 by Cleveland St. Ignatius in 1993.

        St. Xavier's 66 points are the most by a Division I or Class AAA school since 1978, when Colerain had 48.

        Wietmarschen also was a member of St. Xavier's 1998 team.

        “The first state championship was special but this is even better,” Wietmarschen said.

        “We were second last year and after the meet, all of us vowed we would come back and win it this year.”

        King, who finished eighth, may have been the happiest Bombers runner.

        “Two years ago, I had a bad race in the regional and didn't run for the state championship team,” King said. “I always wanted to be part of a winning team, and today is special.”

        After two miles, King was 12th and Busse was 13th. But they passed four runners before crossing the finish line.

        “I was 35th last year in 16:23,” Busse said. “I was hurting at the end and all I wanted to do was hold place.”

        St. Xavier coach Larry Merkel said after looking at times from other regional races, he thought his team could win the state title.

        “We had the best three runners we've ever had, and that's why I was confident,” Merkel said. “When I compared the regionals, we (the Southwest) had the nine fastest times.”

        This is the first time in the 72-year history of the state big-school meet that Cincinnati teams have finished first and second.

        The 16-year-old Bader took the lead at the start of the race and never trailed.

        “I ran the first 800 meters faster than I wanted to,” Bader said. “But at the mile, I was at 4:45, which is normal.”

        LaSalle coach Frank Russo encouraged Bader to be more conservative in the race, but to no avail.

        “Allen is one of those runners who feels more comfortable out front,” Russo said.

        In Division II, Madeira finished 16th. Eastern Brown's Cory Scheadler finished fourth in the Division III race.

        MEET MOVE?: This may have been the last state meet at Scioto Downs. Track officials have notified the Ohio High School Athletic Association that if the facility is granted simulcast betting 365 days a year, it won't be available next year.

        (3.1 miles at Scioto Downs)

        DIVISION I

        Team standings: 1. St. Xavier 66, 2. La Salle 99, 3. North Canton Hoover 117, 4. Hilliard Davidson 157, 5. Hudson 165, 6. Defiance 203, 7. Elder 216, 8. Strongsville 223, 9. Findlay 241, 10. Centerville 249, 11. Canton Glenoak 254, 12. Dublin Coffman 278, 13. Pickerington 286, 14. Warren Vincent 300, 15. Cleveland St. Ignatius 319, 16. Lodi Cloverleaf 320.

        Cincinnati teams and runner

        1. St. Xavier (7. Andy Wietmarschen 15:42, 8. Tim King 15:46, 9.Ryan Busse 15:47, 40. Nick King 16:18, 5. Ben Wietmarschen 16:28, 72. Jeremy Mosher 16:41, 88. Tommy Balmat 16:51.

        2. La Salle (1. Allan Bader 15:21, 15. Pat Rischmann 15:55, 34. K. Garrett Grogan 16:09, 39. Eric Mayhaus 16:17, 85. Kevin Wright 16:50, 95. Zac Altenau 16:58, 144. Paul Colardo 18:16.

        7. Elder (19. Nick Westerman 15:59, 49. Rob Cohen 16:27, 74. Patrick Kendal 16:41, 98. Paul Staudigel 16:59, 109. Sean Ernst 17:09, 110. Kurtis Smith 17:10, 121. Derick Lawrence 17:16.

        Individuals

        12. Jesse Rhodenbaugh (Talawanda) 15:51, 23. Tom Gallagher (Sycamore) 16:04, 26. Taylor Garvin (Kings) 16:05, 27. John Dixon (Fairfield) 16:05, 38. Brad Newmann (Moeller) 16:16, 60. Bob Wayner (Oak Hills) 16:36.

        DIVISION II

        Team Standings: 1. Napoleon 110, 2. Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 122, 3. Walsh Jesuit 139. 16. Madeira 308.

        Top Finishers

        1. Jacob McCauley (Greenon) 15:39, 2. Dave Howard (Canal Fulton) 15:45. 3. Nick Kruse (Napoleon) 15:46.

        16. Madeira (81. Andy Kennedy 17:12, 96. John Johnston 17:27, 11. Kyle Sawyer 17:51, 112. Mark Barrett 17:51, 117. Christophen Davis 17:54, 134. Matt Roach 18:22, 137. Josh Stevens 18:27).

        Individuals

        9. Adam Honnold (Greenfield McClain) 5:59; 69. Stuart Wulsin (Indian Hill) 17:03; 74. Rick Mick (Badin) 17:09.

        DIVISION III

        Team Standings: 1. Girard 61, 2. McDonald 96, 3. Liberty Benton 134.

        Top Finishers

        Brian Olinger (Ridgewood) 15:30, 2. Matt Penza (Girard) 15:35, 3. Nick Smith (Tinora) 15:45.

        Individuals

        4. Cory Scheadler (Eastern Brown) 15:53.

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