Pirates Essinger and Gatchel finish cross country season at OHSAA Championships
By Paula Pyzik Scott
Two Bluffton High School cross country runners competed in the 2026 OHSAA Cross Country State Championships on November 7 at Fortress Obetz in Obetz, Ohio.
Pirate Junior Levin Essinger ran in the Boys Division 3 race, finishing in 17:15.6. Essinger placed 110th in a field of 214 runners. Essinger’s personal best is 16:43.60.
Pirate Junior Xandra Gatchell ran in the Girls Division 4 race, finishing in 20:20.6, placing 91st in a field of 215 runners. Gatchell’s personal best is 19:41.80.
The BHS cross country team is coached by Bill Theisen and Monica Tarplee.
See more 2026 State Championships results
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, November 7, 2026
- Pirates Essinger and Gatchel finish cross country season at OHSAA Championships
- Nov. 7 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Pirate football hits Archbold roadblock in playoff loss
- Forum: Vaughn explores biblical and multicultural accounts of spirits and exorcism
- Bluffton University relaunches Leadership Development Program with NetVUE grant support
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Friday, November 6, 2026
Thursday, November 5, 2026
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
- Klausing graduates from Ohio Bankers League Bank Management School
- Joellen Kay Lehman, 46, owned and operated Folly Faces
- Dec. 4-5 Messiah performances continue holiday tradition at Bluffton and Findlay
- Future Beaver Saturdays invite students to experience Bluffton University
- Ellie Bogart named BHS Student of the Month for October 2026
- Walter "Steve" Suter, 73, worked at Kirtland’s Auto Repair
- Grab an afterschool snack at the Bluffton Public Library