RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sourcesThomas Worthington's field hockey team was selected by Dispatch.com readers as the high school girls Team of the Year for 2025-26.
The Cardinals became the first team in state history to win four straight championships, edging Upper Arlington 3-1 in the final on their home field. Miami University signee Sophia Borghese scored the last two of her program-record 122 goals in the final. Thomas had won three titles in a row twice , and the Cardinals denied UA its first title in the latter’s first final appearance in 35 years.
Thomas received 65.2% of the vote and was followed by the Danville softball team, which received 22.7%, and the Hilliard Bradley softball team (10.2%).
Also nominated were Olentangy Liberty lacrosse, DeSales lacrosse, Newark Catholic volleyball, Upper Arlington soccer and Upper Arlington swimming.
Danville, the runner-up, won at least 23 games for the third year in a row but took the next step this year and captured the state title with a thrilling 2-0, nine-inning win over West Jefferson . Senior pitcher Addy Bocock struck out 323 and earned first-team all-state, and five of the team’s eight freshmen earned their way into the starting lineup.
Bradley was central Ohio’s top big-school team all spring, earning the top seed in the Division I district tournament, outscoring its first three postseason opponents 37-1 and scoring two runs in the seventh inning of the state final to edge Lancaster 7-5 . A four-time district champion, Bradley was making its first state tournament appearance.
Liberty lacrosse finished the season on a 14-game winning streak, and although its offensive output was down this year from the past few, the season still ended the same as the previous two – with a Division I state final win over Upper Arlington . Senior midfielder and Ohio State signee Megan Benton’s 99 goals and 10 assists led Liberty, which averaged 13.4 goals per game.
Not only did DeSales lacrosse win its third consecutive Division II state championship , the Stallions did so as the highest-scoring team in state history. DeSales (22-1) racked up 429 goals – an average of 18.7 per game – and its only loss came to Division I state runner-up UA. Seniors Anna Bogan (50 goals, 17 assists, 88 draw controls) and Campbell Heald (108 goals, 90 assists) led the way as state Midfielder and Attacker of the Year, respectively.
Newark Catholic volleyball returned to the top of its sport statewide, completing its first undefeated season in 42 years (27-0) and winning its first championship since 2004 . Led by first-year coach and former player Katie Hill, Newark Catholic won 78 of 86 sets last fall, including its last five after trailing New Bremen 2-0 in a state semifinal. The Green Wave then shut out St. Henry in the final.
With a motto of “Believe” inspired by the Apple TV show “Ted Lasso,” Upper Arlington soccer gutted out close win and after close win on the way to its first Division I state championship . Senior midfielder Sophie Khelashvili scored the season’s final goal and the only one UA needed in the state final, a second-half penalty kick that stood for a 1-0 win over Cincinnati Seton.
Upper Arlington swimming and diving, the state’s preeminent big-school program, added another championship trophy , using a sweep of the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle from sophomore Kiera Powers and wins in all three relays to amass 310 points at state, 96 ahead of runner-up Mason. UA recorded 10 top-eight finishes, including a runner-up effort from North Carolina commit Maren Berg in the 50 free, to win its third straight title and 15th all-time.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Thomas Worthington field hockey voted girls Team of the Year by Dispatch readers
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.