15:57 to Glory: Warren Junior Ends 7-Year Drought with Historic All-Ohio Run!

OBETZ, Ohio – The roar of the crowd at Fortress Obetz & Memorial Park was deafening, but for one Warren High School junior, it was just background noise. In a stunning display of speed and endurance at the Ohio state cross country championships, Luke Rettenberger didn't just run a race; he rewrote history.

In what can only be described as a career-defining performance, Rettenberger blazed through the Division II course, clocking an incredible time of 15 minutes and 57 seconds. This blistering pace secured him a remarkable 13th place finish and, more importantly, the coveted title of All-Ohio.

But this achievement was bigger than one race. Rettenberger's phenomenal run shattered a seven-year dry spell for the Warren Warriors, making him the school's first All-Ohio cross country athlete since Brent Ash accomplished the feat back in 2015. His time is now officially etched into the school's legacy as the second-fastest state performance in its history.

"Luke finished off an outstanding season as a junior and we look for a great senior season from him," said an impressed head coach, Ryan Werry. The coach's praise underscores the incredible potential brewing in the young athlete, who also earned Academic All-Ohio honors, proving his excellence extends beyond the race course.

The celebrations didn't end there. While Rettenberger was making individual history, the Warren girls' team was battling it out in a tough Division III field. The squad put on a valiant team effort, ultimately finishing in 23rd place with 497 points.

Leading the charge for the girls was junior Ashlee Pate. While finishing 100th with a time of 20:26 this year, Pate is no stranger to the record books. It was just last year that she ran a 19:10, the fastest state meet time ever recorded by a female Warrior. Her experience and leadership were on full display as she guided her team on the state's biggest stage.

With Rettenberger poised for an explosive senior year and a determined girls' team building on their state-level experience, one thing is clear: the future of Warren cross country is burning brighter than ever.