The Moeller Crusaders wrapped up the postseason at the OHSAA Region 4 cross country regionals on October 26th, 2024 in Troy Ohio. This meet was the culmination of grit and hard work that the entire team had shown throughout the summer and fall months of 2024. Every practice and every meet led up to this moment, along with all the various other workouts over the summer. While it is always unfortunate to end a season early and not advance to state, it is important to remember the hard work and success that came along the way.

On August 17th, the Moeller Crusaders hosted their official Team Time trial at their home course at Christ’s Church to find out who would be competing in the varsity and JV races at the Primetime Invitational, one week away. Rounding out the top three finishers was Preston Wesley, Owen Speed and Brock Grubert. Following the race, there was breakfast for all coaches, parents and runners along with a Team Meet and Greet. After another long week of practices, it was finally time for the Moeller Primetime Invitational. With a shorter field than previous years, the Crusaders took 4th place out of 7 teams. The top Moeller finisher for varsity was Preston Wesley followed by Owen Speed and Brock Grubert. The JV team finished 2nd out of 6 teams, coming in behind Mason. Overall, the meet was another great success for Moeller, and cleanup was swift. The Crusaders looked forward for the next meet, The Lebanon Warriors Invitational.

Moeller Cross Country competed in the Lebonon Invitational on Saturday, August 31st 2024. Varsity took a commanding first place, which was the first Lebonon Invitational Varsity win in all of Moeller Cross Country history. The JV team finished in third place out of 24 teams. Moeller looked forward to their next challenge at Mason the following week. The next week was indeed a challenge, as the Crusaders battled against a large field at Corwin-Nixon Park in Mason. The varsity team took 6th place out of a total of 19 strong teams. The JV group finished in 6th place out of 16 other teams. The next week was a split-squad Saturday, with the JV team finishing 3rd out of 4 teams at the St. Xavier Invitational. However, the varsity group raced in Troy Ohio and finished with a commanding 4th place out of a total of 40 teams. The week after that was once again a split squad Saturday, with the varsity team racing in the Trinity Invitational in Louisville, finishing 17th out of 42 teams. The JV group raced up in Cedarville at the Midwest Catholic championship, finishing 7th out of 8 teams.

The next week was a more challenging, wet course at the Jim Murray Invitational in Springfield, Ohio. The varsity group ended up placing 4th out of 28 teams, and the JV squad finished in 4th place out of a total of 9 teams. Moeller dominated the next meet over at Ross High School, placing first out of 10 teams, with the first four runners crossing the finish line all Moeller. The JV team performed strongly as well, coming in 2nd out of 6 teams. This meet concluded the regular season for the Moeller Crusaders, as they set their sights for the GCLs the following week.

The postseason began at Moeller’s home course at Christ’s Church in mason. Once again, St. Xavier took their 14th consecutive GCL win, coming in first with 23 points. Second was Moeller with 39, then Elder with 75, and rounding out the bottom was LaSalle with 114 points total. Finishing first for Moeller was Brock Grubert, with a time of 16:24. The JV team came in 3rd place, with a total of 77 points. With this race, Moeller continues to inch closer and closer to St. Xavier in the GCLs. The JV team finished their season the following Thursday in the Districts race at Home of the Brave Park in Loveland. They finished in 11th place, out of 16 teams. The Varsity squad raced that Saturday at VOA park in Westchester. The finished 3rd out of 16 teams, which qualified the team for Regionals the next week. This would become the 13th team in Moeller history to qualify for the Regionals meet. Regionals were held at Troy Stadium in Troy Ohio, where Moeller came in 10th place out of 17 teams. Unfortunately, only the top five teams were allowed to advance in that race, and so the season had come to an end.

Although the season had ended abruptly, the team had finished strong. Throughout the lengthy season, the early morning summer practices, the long, hot after school practices, and everything in between. This season has seen new records, new bonds built, and newcomers to the team. You can only imagine the excitement that this team will bring to the table next year.

Cross Country Season Report

Repeat of the King of the Block

Does Moeller Hockey have what it takes to win?