COLUMBUS — To cap a challenging year for its program, the Ottawa Hills girls cross country team stood at the pinnacle Saturday during the Division I state meet at Fortress Obetz.

The Green Bears, in what was their fourth state appearance, had five runners break 20 minutes and finished with 114 points to capture their first championship.

It meant something even more personal for sophomore Natalie Nixon, who led the way with a fifth-place finish.

Her father, head coach Jeremy Nixon, had surgery for throat cancer last winter and battled through physical limitations while coaching with the track and field program in the spring.

Although he's currently cancer-free, it wasn't lost on either he or Natalie that it's been an emotionally taxing few months for them and the program.

Natalie Nixon

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