Central Ohio’s top high school athletes, coaches and teams – the best of the best for 2025-26 – were honored June 22 at Upper Arlington High School.
Watterson’s Michael Boyle, Olentangy Liberty’s Elena Aldrink, Watterson football coach Brian Kennedy, Hilliard Bradley softball coach Kevin Moody, the Watterson football team and the Upper Arlington girls soccer team earned the top honors at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards.
In addition, the top athletes in 31 sports were honored during the show, which was produced with the support of Moo Moo Express Car Wash. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley was the guest speaker.
Boyle was named Boys Athlete of the Year, having won his third consecutive Division II wrestling state championship after helping Watterson’s football team capture its second straight Division III state title. In football, Boyle was Division III district Defensive Player of the Year and first-team all-state.
Aldrink, the Girls Athlete of the Year, also won two state championships in 2025-26 – in cross-country and track and field. Aldrink won all six of her cross-country races for Liberty last fall, including the Division I state meet. In track, she won her second Division I state title in the 3,200 meters.
Kennedy received the Boys Coach of the Year Award, presented by Moo Moo Express Car Wash, for guiding the Watterson football team’s run to a repeat state championship. It was a second straight undefeated season for the Eagles, who received the Boys Team of the Year Award.
Moody earned the Girls Coach of the Year Award, presented by Moo Moo Express Car Wash, for leading Bradley’s softball team to the Division I state championship, the first title in program history.
The UA girls soccer team captured its first state championship, also in Division I, and earned the Girls Team of the Year honor.
Central Ohio high school Athletes of the Year for 2025-26
Delaware Hayes’ Evelyn Krauss received the Courage Award, and former Westerville South boys basketball coach Ed Calo was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Amanda-Clearcreek’s Emma Strickler earned the Capt. Warren B. Sneed Memorial Scholarship, worth $3,000, for her academic and athletic achievements and community service.
(This story has been updated with a video and a gallery.)
The Dispatch high school sports team can be reached at sports@dispatch.com and at @DispatchPreps on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Meet the 2025-26 Central Ohio High School Sports Awards honorees
Reporting by Andy Resnik, Frank DiRenna and Dave Purpura, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Andy Resnik, Frank DiRenna and Dave Purpura, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
