It wasn’t perfect, but under the circumstances, it was pretty darn close.
The Ozark Catholic Academy track and field teams were denied the state team titles for 2025, despite individual performances that broke school records and personal bests. It was the Griffins’ first year stepping up from 1A into 2A to face stiffer competition.
“We knew going into the season this year our chances of winning state would be possible, but not easy,” said Greg Cawein, OCA head track coach. “As the season progressed, Carlisle and Des Arc appeared to be our biggest threats; however, Fordyce snuck in at the last minute and was much stronger than we had anticipated.”
The challenge was compounded by weather, which rained out the original state meet date and put OCA on a long bus ride to Quitman to compete at a makeup site May 12.
“The kids were really tremendous and really worked hard,” said Alesia Schaefer, assistant coach. “It’s a real mental battle to be prepared to run one day and then have it moved and a long bus ride, besides. Not to mention running against some very competitive teams. Our kids really brought their game.”
The team titles may have eluded OCA, but there were plenty of medals to go around on the individual level, especially as the most decorated athlete in the school’s short history said goodbye to the high school ranks.
Ouachita Baptist University-commit Isaac Pohlmeier finished his final Arkansas Activities Association state championships in resounding fashion, taking home wins at 800m, 1600m, 3200m and in the 4x800m relay, the third straight year he’s completed that four-fecta.
The haul brought Pohlmeier’s career individual winnings to 20 indoor, outdoor and cross-country state titles, including relays, across two competitive classifications. He’s also helped OCA hoist a first-place team trophy nine times.
The only race where Pohlmeier’s dominant streak was remotely in jeopardy came in the 800m final, where he edged out teammate and fellow OCA senior Joey Squillance by just a few strides. Squillance, who will run next season for Rockhurst University in Missouri, put a stamp on his high school running career, bringing home a silver at 800m, a bronze at 1600m and a 4th place finish at 3200m. Ben Frederick also had a strong meet, taking second at 1600m, third at 3200m and 5th at 800m.
Rounding out the long-distance runners were Noah Rush, 11th at 800m; Liam Burney, 8th at 1600m and Oscar Burney, 7th at 3200m.
“The core of our track program are our distance runners; for the boys, 80 of our 90 [team] points came from our distance,” Cawein said.
Also scoring points for the Griffins were Patrick Rocha, 9th in the 100m; Russell Clark, 10th in the 400m; and Jonothan Jacobi, 12th in the 300m hurdles. Landon Weisenfels placed 11th in the 300m hurdles and 13th in the 110m hurdles.
In the relays, Pohlmeier was joined in the 4×800 win by Squillance, Frederick and Oscar Burney. Rocha, Landen Maas, Clark, and Abe Sanchez ran both the 4x100m relay, finishing 5th, and the 4x200m relay, in which the team suffered a disqualification. Sanchez, Clark, Landon Weisenfels and Reed Stephens took third in the 4x400m relay.
In field events, Elliot Lunsford placed 14th in the triple jump; Armando Pena placed 15th in the shot put and Burney placed 12th in the discus.
Overall, Ozark Catholic Academy was second in team scoring, behind Fordyce and ahead of Carlisle. Marshall and Caddo Hills rounded out the top five teams, respectively.
The OCA girls took a step back from last year’s state title-winning performance but still came in third in team scoring behind Quitman and Murfreesboro. Magnet Cove and Gurdon were fourth and fifth, respectively.
Clare Pohlmeier and Emma Burney were medal workhorses, scoring half the team’s points. Pohlmeier landed second place in the 3200m, third in the 1600m and 5th in a loaded 800m field, while Burney ran second in the 300m hurdles, third in the 100m hurdles and 4th in the 200m. Also scoring hardware were Mary Downar-Patterson, who took second at 400m, and Savannah Johnson, who placed third in the discus and 7th in the shot put.
Other Griffins competing were Kinley Mentuis, 7th at 200m and 8th at 100m; Jasmin Ramirez, 15th at 400m and Colbe Lipsmeyer 12th in the 300m hurdles. Keilee Hernandez placed top 10 in three events, including 9th at 800m and 1600m and 10th at 3200m.
The girls scored gold in the 4x400m relay, thanks to Burney, Ramirez, Downar-Patterson and Savannah Creed. The 4x200m relay team, comprised of Creed, Downar-Patterson, Mentuis and Olivia Harbaugh, took second and the 4x800m relay, made up of Hernandez, Ramirez, Pohlmeier and Payton Schultz, was third. Harbaugh, Mentuis, Downar-Patterson and Anjali Nangunoori came in 6th place in the 4x100m relay.
“Our runners showcased their integrity and fellowship by cheering each other on, lifting up other teams, and working and praying together,” Cawein said. “Despite the postponing of the state meet, we had a great day.”
