BOARDMAN — Heartland Christian senior Rebecca Geiss said she didn’t have anything to prove at the Boardman regional cross country meet Saturday.

“That’s next week,’ she said. “My goal was just to make it to state.”

Geiss will be running at the state meet for the fourth year in a row.

She was the Division III state champion in 2023 and the state runner-up in 2024, both in photo finishes.

“I can’t promise I’m going to win, but I promise I’m going to put up a fight,” Geiss said.

The top five girls teams in Division IV and top 10 individuals not on a qualifying team advanced to state.

Geiss finished second out of 159 runners in the Division IV girls race Saturday.

She covered the 3.1-mile course at Boardman High School in 18 minutes, 23.0 seconds.

Smithville senior Kaitlyn Carr — the defending state track champion in the mile and two-mile — won in 17:44.9.

“Times and places don’t matter this week,” Geiss said. “Next week it’s who comes out and competes the best.”

McDonald sophomore Naomi Sheesley was third (18:39.90) and Lake Center Christian senior Gianna Ritchie was fourth (19:05.6). Ritchie beat Geiss at the GlenOak district meet the week before.

Geiss will race for another state title at 10 a.m. Saturday at Fortress Obetz, just south of Columbus.

“I’m super grateful for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to what’s next for me,” she said.

Meet notes

¯ Geiss and Ritchie will be future teammates Palm Beach Atlantic University, a private Christian college in West Palm Beach, Florida.

“We’re good friends,” Geiss said.

The Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish compete in NCAA Division II. Geiss accepted the full athletic scholarship before the district meet.

“I wanted to decide before the end of the season so I can focus on racing,” she said.

Geiss said she also was offered a full athletic scholarship from Ohio University and partial offers from Ohio State and Pitt.

“Getting these offers make it super special,” she said.

¯ Geiss’ race was the first of eight on the day Saturday and the morning temperature was in the mid-40s.

“I love running in the cold,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the weather (this) weekend. It’s supposed to be muddy and I’m a strong runner.”

¯ Rittman senior Luke Snyder won the Boardman Division IV boys regional race in 15:55.1. He is going after a third straight state championship.