OATCCC Hall Of Fame
Vincent Fries

Vincent Fries, a 1998 Seneca East High School graduate is the most decorated male athlete in the sport of cross country in the history of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). In his time as a Tiger he won three individual state championships as a freshman, sophomore, and senior, and finished as the state runner-up as a junior despite running his fastest state time of the four years. Vincent is the only high school boy in any division in the state of Ohio to win the individual cross country title as a freshman and while there have been 5 others to win 3 state championships he is the only three-time winner who backed up those championship performances with a runner-up finish. Vincent is the only male or finisher to ever score “1” point all four years at the state championship meet. His entire postseason total across four years is a perfect 12 points. Both of these achievements have never been matched by any male or female in any division in OHSAA history. In accomplishing these individual feats, Vincent helped his team to four consecutive state runner-up finishes in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 as Seneca East became the only team in state history to finish as a runner-up four consecutive years. Vincent set and still holds the school record in the 5K for cross country with a time of 15:41. In track and field Vincent qualified to the state championship meet individually in six events and was a five time All-Ohioan, twice finishing as runner-up, once in the 1600 meter run (1998) and once in the 3200 meter run (1995) while also finishing 4th in the 3200 meter run (1996, 1997 & 1998). Vincent still holds the Seneca East school record in both the 1600 meter run (4:19.9) and 3200 meter run (9:29.8). Between the two sports, Vincent compiled three individual state championships, three individual state runner-up finishes, 10 individual state qualifying performances, nine All-Ohio performances, 10 Regional Championships, 10 District Championships, and 10 League Championships all while helping his team win 4 League, District, and Regional Championships in the process. Upon graduation, Vincent attended the University of Cincinnati where he planned to compete in both cross country and track and field. Unfortunately, Vincent’s running career ended all too soon as he was involved in a motorcycle accident. To this day Vincent lives in the surrounding Seneca East community and volunteers his time to the school at Seneca East Cross Country home events. In recognition of your outstanding accomplishments the Ohio Association Track & Cross Country Coaches is proud to include you as a 2024 OATCCC Hall of Fame Inductee. Congratulations Vincent!