With the 2026 Cincinnati High School Sports Awards live show, presented by Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, quickly approaching, The Enquirer is pleased to announce winners and finalists for the Courage Awards, Beacon Comeback Player of the Year, Student Photographers of the Year, Boys and Girls Athlete of the Year and Boys and Girls Team of the Year.
They will be honored on Tuesday, June 16, at Princeton High School. This year’s format will be different to offer more personal attention for everyone honored and make the ceremony more time-efficient. Spring award winners will be published the first week of June.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. for a reception/individual awards presentation for finalists. The Enquirer will take a group photo of all finalists and winners, with athletes heading for the auditorium at 6:30 p.m. The event starts at 7 p.m. with Rocky Boiman serving as a featured speaker. Joe Danneman of Fox19 and Shelby Dermer of The Cincinnati Enquirer will serve as presenters.
Everyone is invited to attend the awards show, but only winners will be called to the stage to receive their awards. No tickets are necessary, but we ask the winners to RSVP to Melanie Laughman, mlaughman@enquirer.com, as soon as possible. Check out more details at the bottom of this story on what winners and finalists need to know.
Except for the Courage Awards, The Enquirer’s staff voted on these premium award winners using a point system. The athletes and teams with the most points won.
Courage Award
The Enquirer presents six Courage Awards to athletes who have exhibited resilience and beyond-the-field bravery in the face of adversity. Writers will tell in-depth stories of the following award-winners separately, but here’s a summary for each.
Leigha Acoff, Woodward – The two-sport athlete in basketball and flag football overcame a family tragedy and a mid-year school transfer her junior year to become her class valedictorian. Despite having to sit out half a season, she never missed practice and became a career 1,000-point scorer. She maintains a 4.7 GPA with college-level classes, which helped her earn an associate’s degree.
Bradley Bornhorn, Holy Cross – Born with spina bifida, he refused to choose less physically demanding sports. The varsity baseball pitcher practices and competes without seeking special treatment, earning respect from his teammates, opponents and coaches. A highlight for him as a pitcher was getting out the top hitter from a rival team twice. He’s known for his relentless competitiveness and inspiring attitude.
Joe Mayer, Covington Catholic – He lost his father unexpectedly last June, delivering his eulogy only days later. He stepped up as a leader for his five siblings and the school community. He is the student body president and AP Scholar and National Honor Society member, among other accomplishments. Additionally he volunteers with local charities and church groups. He earned a Class 2A state cross country title after his father’s death. During the 2026 track season, he and his teammates won the 4×800-meter state track championship and the Class 2A team title.
Parker Sougstad, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy – He lost his twin brother, Dylan, 17, in a car crash March 13. He scored a game-sealing goal in his first lacrosse game after Dylan’s death. The 13th goal of the game matched the date of his brother’s death. Parker has been a powerful example of resilience, a tribute to his brother.
Dillion Taylor, Norwood – A full-time starter since his sophomore year, he’s a key leader in rebuilding a struggling basketball program. His work ethic, persistence and team-first attitude helped Norwood to its first winning season in a decade.
Lucas Yeager, Clermont Northeastern – He was diagnosed with cancer after a knee injury, enduring surgery and chemotherapy. A multi-sport athlete known for his leadership and resilience, Lucas maintained a positive attitude and stayed on track academically. He stayed connected with his teams by attending, filming and documenting games. He returned to compete in golf during his senior year with approved accommodations.
Beacon Comeback Player of the Year
The award, new for 2026, honors an athlete who went from injury recovery to doing great things on the field or court in 2026.
Connor Maupin, Moeller – He suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, with a 14-month recovery period in which he relearned to walk. He returned as a starter for Moeller High School’s football and baseball programs, giving an exceptional example of overcoming a life-altering injury.
Student photographers of the year
Also new in 2026, this award is sponsored by Kristen O’Brien and family, honoring the students’ body of work as photographers.
Jacob Gath, Moeller – His portfolio can be found on Instagram, @jdvlsuals
Bella Wilson, Clermont Northeastern – Her portfolio can be found at https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/uAo6XLY19PyUe
Boys Athlete of the Year
This award honors male athletes who excel in three or more sports seasons.
Winner: Tyler Fryman, Beechwood (football, indoor track, baseball)
Finalists: Devlan Daniel, Indian Hill (football, basketball, baseball), Lorenzo McMullen, Taft (football, basketball, track) and Brady Schmidt, Clermont Northeastern (football, basketball, baseball)
Girls Athlete of the Year
This award honors female athletes who excel in three or more sports seasons.
Winner: Natasha Davis, Madeira (soccer, basketball, track)
Finalists: Brooke Androne, Reading (volleyball, basketball, softball); Grace Kellett, Madeira (golf, basketball, lacrosse); Emili Schappacher, Hamilton (volleyball, golf, softball); Rachel Shewmaker, Bishop Brossart (soccer, basketball, softball) and Aleah Coster, Oak Hills (soccer, cross country and track)
Boys Team of the Year
Winner: Wyoming basketball, coach Matt Rooks
Finalists: Beechwood baseball, coach Kevin Gray; Princeton basketball, coach Bryan Wyant; St. Xavier bowling, coach Matt Hott; Covington Catholic soccer, coach Jeremy Robertson; Summit Country Day soccer, coach Scott Sievering; Badin baseball, coach Brion Treadway; and St. Xavier lacrosse, coach Nate Sprong
Girls Team of the Year
Winner: Seton volleyball, coach Kelly Crowley
Finalists: Harrison wrestling, coach Chris Baird; Highlands soccer, coach Kelsey Etherton; Kings softball, coach John Schablein; Madeira soccer, coach Dan Brady; Mariemont lacrosse, coach Kevin Ferry; Mason tennis, coach Mike Reid; McNicholas volleyball, coach Darlene Tierney; Mount Notre Dame flag football, coach Desmond Gault; Notre Dame Academy volleyball, coaches Hannah Colvin and Madison Salkowski; and Summit Country Day soccer, coach Michael Fee
Cincinnati High School Sports Awards winter nominees for the 2025-2026 sports season
Boys archery
Winner: Ethan Pauciulo, Ryle
Finalists: Ari Edmonds, Scott; Kyle Kirkpatrick, Cooper; Sawyer McClure, Walton-Verona; Brayden Nevels, Cooper; Michael Turner, Pendleton County
Girls archery
Winner: Karina Usman, Simon Kenton
Finalists: Emerson Caravona, Cooper; Lexus Goff, Scott; Joannah Hibbett, Cooper; Rylee Schmidt, St. Henry; Prisha Shah, Ryle
Ohio boys basketball
Winners: A’mire Gill, Princeton; Kellen Wiley, Wyoming
Finalists: Grady Barber, Williamsburg; Jason Caimano, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy; Antwan Hinton, Taft; Max Joiner, Summit Country Day; Isaiah Mack-Russell, Winton Woods; Chase Martin, Loveland; Zevin Sesslar, Waynesville; Eli Stroud, Badin; Josh Tyson, Lakota West; Antonio White, Deer Park
Northern Kentucky/Indiana boys basketball
Winner: Athens McGillis, Covington Catholic
Finalists: Anthony Blaackar, Lloyd Memorial; Anthony Coppola, Ryle; Austin Davie, Campbell County; Finn Louden, Conner; Amontae Lowe, Newport
Ohio girls basketball
Winner: Erin Thomas, Princeton
Finalists: Lauren Bain, Seton; Gabby Chadwell, Milford; Braelyn Even, Badin; Katie Fox, Lakota West; Anna Habra, Mason; McKenzie Jones, Springboro; Yaya Parrish, Western Hills; Bella Rogers, Loveland; Bella Swisshelm, West Clermont; Mia Vieth, Mount Notre Dame; Samaya Wilkins, Purcell Marian
Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls basketball
Winner: Haylee Noel, Cooper
Finalists: Emma Holtzapfel, Notre Dame; Izzy Jayasuriya, Campbell County; Jaelyn Jones, Ryle; Brynli Pernell, Simon Kenton; Natalie Stenger, East Central
Ohio boys bowling
Winner: Easton Pierani, Sycamore
Finalists: Matthew Alvear, Lebanon; Ty Barrett, West Clermont; Jayden Brown, Elder; Randy Eckman, Blanchester; Joseph Geers, St. Xavier
Northern Kentucky/Indiana boys bowling
Winner: Maddox Kuryla, Boone County
Finalists: Tyler Blume, Simon Kenton; Mason Bowman, Covington Catholic; Dylan Davis, Covington Catholic; Aleck Meredith, Simon Kenton; Bryce Sargent, Campbell County
Ohio girls bowling
Winner: Carolyn Edmisten, Georgetown
Finalists: Kiley Comberger, Wilmington; Kendall Cook, Mercy McAuley; Caitlyn Kober, Lebanon; Kenlie Littelmann, Seton; Hannah Weigle, Little Miami; Ella Weinmann, Oak Hills
Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls bowling
Winner: Alyssa Bechtol, Notre Dame
Finalists: Kree Brewer, Pendleton County; Mary Hollon, Simon Kenton; Hayley Pelstring, Notre Dame; Abby Sargent, Campbell County; Abree Young, Dixie Heights
Gymnastics
Winner: Kiera Laite, Mariemont
Finalists: Leah DeVilbiss, Lakota East; Zoey Ostdiek, Lakota West; Ella Oum, Turpin; Chesnie Weisbrod, Kings; Hayden Zimmerman, Cincinnati Country Day
Ice hockey
Winner: Trever Bauwens, Northern Kentucky Norsemen (Walton-Verona)
Finalists: Colin Custer, St. Xavier; Carter Jung, Elder; Christian Rivard, Moeller; Landon Schroeder, Springboro
Ohio boys swimming and diving
Winner: Chase Grisi, St. Xavier
Finalists: Danny Beyerbach, Seven Hills; Brady Campbell, Milford; Tucker Charles, St. Xavier; Liam Clark, Mason; Bryce Cousins, West Clermont; Oliver Erck, Sycamore; Braden Fuller, Lakota East; Owen Gee, St. Xavier; Quinn Heis, Mariemont; Luke Mignery, Ross; Juju Nkhumane, Mason
Northern Kentucky/Indiana boys swimming and diving
Winner: Chase Knopf, Ryle
Finalists: Andrew Boh, Covington Catholic; Noah Gracey, Highlands; Nash Parsons, Ryle; Cono Presti, Beechwood; Isaiah Reinhart, Simon Kenton
Ohio girls swimming and diving
Winner: Maya Schweikert, Kings
Finalists: Aubrey Buchanan, St. Ursula; Dana Fairbanks, Mason; Isabella Giraldo, Mason; Grier Gordon, Ursuline; Gabby Henz, Indian Hill; Marissa McNerney, Seven Hills; Ansley Neff, Wyoming; Reese Reilly, Roger Bacon; Calli Rieskamp, Taylor; Isabelle Schroeder, Loveland; Quinn Schureck, Walnut Hills; Bella Teply, Mason
Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls swimming and diving
Winner: Clare Herfel, Notre Dame
Finalists: Savannah Bien, Notre Dame; Gabrielle Lee, Beechwood; Chris Nowak, Cooper; Gabriella Stephens, Ryle; Danaka Tucker, Notre Dame
Ohio boys wrestling
Winners: Kane Shawger, St. Xavier; Colin Wooldridge, La Salle
Finalists: Greyson Boner, Harrison; Caleb Curry, Elder; Grant Dallio, Harrison; Ryan Hager, Williamsburg; Noah Jackson, Moeller; Jett Manley, Waynesville; Khary McCall Jr., Springboro; Landen Messer, Moeller; Alijah Mohanna, La Salle; Marshall Morency, Anderson; Caden Orr, Moeller
Northern Kentucky/Indiana boys wrestling
Winner: Clayton Badida, Conner
Finalists: Cordion Abernathy, Conner; Cody Blevins, Simon Kenton; Aiden Brinkman, Ryle; Christian Brown, Cooper; Kayson White, Highlands
Ohio girls wrestling
Winner: Elizabeth Madison, Loveland
Finalists: Caiden Baird, Harrison; Natalie Carlisle, Lebanon; Kimora Carpenter, Princeton; Camryn Gresham, Lakota East; Teegan Herrington, Badin; Liberty Johnson, Clermont Northeastern; Kelsey King, Lakota West; Haylynn Littleton, Harrison; Eleanor Polking, Oak Hills; Kaylee Vera, Little Miami; Leah Willen, Harrison
Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls wrestling
Winner: Emma Moore, Walton-Verona
Finalists: Peyton Brinkman, Ryle; Emma Hood, Highlands; McAyla Steffen, Campbell County; Preslee Steiber, Ryle; Aaliyah Svec, Cooper
Cincinnati High School Sports Awards fall nominees for the 2025-2026 sports season
Ohio boys cross country
Winner: Dom Ellis, St. Xavier
Finalists: Caleb Anderson, Turpin; Jagger Dollenmeyer, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy; Nate Gockerman, CHCA; Owen Huff, Oak Hills; James O’Driscoll, Indian Hill; Ryne Reynolds, Little Miami; Carson Spencer, Turpin; Caden Winship, Mason; Ronan Wolfer, Loveland; Liam Woodward, Summit Country Day; Paras Yadav, Mason
Northern Kentucky/Indiana boys cross country
Winner: Paul Van Laningham, Cooper
Finalists: Ethan Mann, Conner; Joe Mayer, Covington Catholic; Joh Nerswick, Covington Catholic; Sam Neuhaus, St. Henry; Ryan Richards, Cooper
Ohio girls cross country
Winner: Ava Shepard, Lakota West
Finalists: Elle Campbell, Milford; Delaney Cilley, Loveland; Aleah Coster, Oak Hills; Campbell Coyne, Seven Hills; Molly Deardorff, Lakota East; Callie Fox, Summit Country Day; Heidi Harmeyer, Seton; Atalia Hawkins, Milford; Havannah Long, Kings; Abra Mills, Talawanda; Lucy Staarmann, St. Ursula
Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls cross country
Winner: Lily Parke, Beechwood
Finalists: Norah Barker, Notre Dame; Callie Bentley, East Central; Stella Carpenter, Ryle; Lila Dunlevy, Campbell County; Abigail Ford, Villa Madonna
Field hockey
Winners: Josie Broenner, Mount Notre Dame; Chloe Castellini, Summit Country Day
Finalists: Lexie Burke, Ursuline Academy; Kaydance Givens, Indian Hill; Elizabeth Herzner, Mount Notre Dame; Cat Johnson, Ursuline Academy; Maddie Lanphear, Indian Hill; Anna Lange, St. Ursula Academy; Aubrey Ludwig, Mount Notre Dame; Alison Strang, Mount Notre Dame; Liz Thurnau, St. Ursula Academy; Fay Van de Meulengraaf, Indian Hill and Maddie Wells, Walnut Hills.
Ohio football offense
Winners: Lance Cantrell, Talawanda; Ryder Hooks, Lakota East
Finalists: Tommy Becker, Elder; Gage Croley, Goshen; Kaden Estep, Elder; Jackson Frey, St. Xavier; Lem Grayson, Badin; Levi Guttman, Cincinnati Country Day; Marcus Hughbanks, Batavia; Nile Knutson, Lakota East; Matt Ponatoski, Moeller; Griffin Ridner Richard, CHCA; Gray Robinson, Williamsburg; Owen Scalf, Anderson; Monsanna Torbert, Taft; Tysin Weaver, Anderson
Northern Kentucky/Indiana football offense
Winner: Cam O’Hara, Cooper
Finalists: Kaleb Evans, Lloyd Memorial; Tyler Fryman, Beechwood; Crue Gilmour, Lawrenceburg; Cash Harney, Covington Catholic; Tayden Lorenzen, Highlands
Ohio football defense
Winners: Brady Kuhn, Anderson; Derek Uran, Elder
Finalists: Kobe Clapper, St. Xavier; Luke Czarnecki, Williamsburg; Jake Dixon, Milford; James Hall, St. Bernard-Elmwood Place; Rihyael Kelley, Winton Woods; Adam Kirtley, Taft; Alex Pate, Badin; Aden Reeder, St. Xavier; Brayden Reilly, St. Xavier; Max Rhodes, Oak Hills; Evan Riggs, Indian Hill; J.D. Singletary, Middletown; Cam Thomas, Lakota West; Jordan Vann, Middletown
Northern Kentucky/Indiana football defense
Winner: Jacob Savage, Ryle
Finalists: Brady Ballart, South Dearborn; Ryker Campbell, Cooper; Nyden Euson, East Central; Chase McDaniel, Beechwood; Lincoln Tomlinson, Lloyd Memorial
Ohio boys golf
Winner: Toku Fujiwara, Lakota West
Finalists: Matia Kastner, Seven Hills; Zac McGrath, St. Xavier; Marshall Morency, Anderson; Blake Rohling, Roger Bacon; Griffin Wullenweber, Lakota West
Northern Kentucky/Indiana boys golf
Winner: Talen Beane, Campbell County
Finalists: Parker Isaacs, St. Henry; Hayden Li, Ryle; Paxton McKelvey, Ryle; Alex Race, Highlands; Jack Woolwine, Dixie Heights
Ohio girls golf
Winners: Eva Becerril, Sycamore; Ellie Hartung, Madeira
Finalists: Campbell Drum, MND; Sophia Fink, CHCA; Ellie Lamkin, Anderson; Charlotte Soller, Mariemont
Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls golf
Winner: Anika Okuda, Ryle
Finalists: Tatjana Andracenko, Dixie Heights; Maria Penaranda, Notre Dame; Rowan Pies, East Central; Kendal Raney, Conner; Sarah Smith, Grant County
Ohio boys soccer
Winner: Rowen Arnold, Springboro
Finalists: Ryan Boyd, Lakota West; Rocco Fischer, Wyoming; Paolo Girandola, Walnut Hills; Aidan Gross, Mariemont; Kai Kuebler, Turpin; Karson Lang, Moeller; Brody Sucher, Kings; Jack Sweeney, St. Xavier; Elijah Warner, Summit Country Day; Davion Washington, Seven Hills; Edward Zha, Mason
Northern Kentucky/Indiana boys soccer
Winner: Tanner Robertson, Covington Catholic
Finalists: Donovan Lameier, Dixie Heights; Grady Noble, Conner; Maddox Pemberton, Cooper; Max Runge, Bishop Brossart; Logan Thoss, St. Henry
Ohio girls soccer
Winner: Mia Stevens, Summit Country Day
Finalists: Nina Brandon, Anderson; Ella Cook, Little Miami; Natasha Davis, Madeira; Braelyn Even, Badin; Anna Habra, Mason; Mady Linenkugel, Oak Hills; Allie McCauley, Indian Hill; Bree Reder, Summit Country Day; Abby Smith, Harrison; Emma Yeager, Clermont Northeastern; Addy Zawaly, Mariemont
Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls soccer
Winner: Ella Smith, Simon Kenton
Finalists: Kennedy Crowley, Campbell County; Izelee Kerns, Conner; Maria Mayer, East Central; Kylie Smith, Bishop Brossart; Sadie Yapp, Notre Dame
Ohio girls tennis
Winners: Adriana Moreno-Saanvi Reddy, Mason
Finalists: Addison Cassidy, Mason; Pratyusha Chaudhuri-Emma Wagner, Mason; Renee Harper, Oak Hills; Corrine Labin-Miranda Wang, CHCA; Allison Sayles-Serena Sayles, Sycamore; Sophia Thompson, Indian Hill
Ohio girls volleyball
Winner: Callie Combs, Seton
Finalists: Kendall Bosse, Ross; Jillian Forrest, Ursuline Academy; Emma Frietch, St. Ursula; Grace Jones, Seton; MaKenna Kirlin, Loveland; Ava McIntyre, Kings; Morgan Meiring, Fenwick; Kendall Northern, Summit Country Day; Cara Richter, Mount Notre Dame; Savanna Stacey, McNicholas; Ali Strange, McNicholas
Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls volleyball
Winner: Audrey Dyas, Notre Dame
Finalists: Morgan Heater, Ryle; Jenna Kitchens, Simon Kenton; Milyn Minor, Scott; Charlotte Patton, Conner; Grace Portwood, Notre Dame
Boys water polo
Winner: Marco Di Loreto Tarot, Mason
Finalists: Dan Ahrens, St. Xavier; Dylan Cahill, Mason; Ernie Manders, Walnut Hills; Ciaran Skinner, Sycamore; Dominic Walters, St. Xavier; Aaron Zelvy, Sycamore
Girls water polo
Winner: Madeline House, Milford
Finalists: Adalynn Dvorak, Mason; Meredith Ehlerding, Princeton; Veronika Khudiakova, Mason; Cameron Kilimnik, Milford; Maisie Moran, Walnut Hills; Claire Ponstingle, Mason
What the 2026 Cincinnati High School Sports Awards winners need to know
What the 2026 Cincinnati High School Sports Awards finalists need to know
Next up
The Cincinnati Enquirer will announce the spring nominees and winners in early June. Spring categories, some split by state and/or gender, will include baseball, softball, boys tennis, Northern Kentucky girls tennis, boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, boys volleyball, track and field athletes and flag football.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Courage Award, Comeback POY, other premium award winners announced
Reporting by Melanie Laughman, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
