Boys Division I
Cincinnati St. Xavier Wins First State Title Over Cincinnati Elder
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Cincinnati St. Xavier captured its first boys bowling state championship by defeating Cincinnati Elder in the championship match of the 2026 Division I Boys Bowling State Tournament at H.P. Lanes on Saturday.
St. Xavier (189-212-225-204) secured a 3-1 victory over Elder (202-200-207-202), which finished as state runners-up in the school’s first championship match appearance. The Bombers earned the fourth seed in the eight-team bracket and advanced to the final by defeating No. 5 seed Avon Lake, 3-0, and No. 8 seed Gahanna Lincoln, 3-2.
St. Xavier was making its fourth appearance in the state tournament, while Elder was making its third.
Gahanna Lincoln senior Kael Clous put together a 720 three-game series (232-255-233) to claim the individual state title. St. Xavier junior finished as runner-up with a three-game series of 715 (221-218-276).
Girls Division I
Celina Wins First Bowling Title, Gracie Hood Wins Individual Title
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Celina claimed its first girls bowling state championship, defeating Gahanna Lincoln in the championship match of the 2026 Division I Girls Bowling State Tournament at H.P. Lanes on Friday.
Celina earned the No. 4 seed in the eight-team bracket with a team total of 3,484 in the qualifying rounds. The Bulldogs defeated No. 5 seed Teays Valley 3-0, and No. 1 Hillsboro 3-2, to advance to the championship match.
Celina (178-142-190) swept Gahanna Lincoln (153-125-173) 3-0 in the school’s first appearance in the championship match. Gahanna Lincoln was making its fourth championship appearance, with titles in 2018, 2020, and 2021.
Bellefontaine senior Gracie Hood rolled a three-game series of 679 (208-248-223) to win the individual state title. This marks back-to-back years that a Bellefontaine bowler has won the individual title with Haylee Yelton winning in 2025. Hillsboro sophomore Rylie Ison finished as runner-up with a three-game series of 667 (212-227-228).
Boys Division II
St. Henry Defeats Coldwater for First State Title
COLUMBUS, Ohio – St. Henry (169-212-188-165-180) defeated top-seeded Coldwater (174-179-164-167-169) 3-2 in the championship match of the 2026 Division II boys bowling state tournament Saturday at H.P. Lanes, securing its first state title in school history.
St. Henry earned the No. 6 seed with a qualifying score of 3,635 and advanced with a 3-2 win over No. 3 seed Napoleon in the quarterfinals. The Redskins then defeated No. 7 seed Fort Recovery 3-2 in the semifinals to reach the championship match for the second time in school history. St. Henry previously finished as runners-up in 2007.
Coldwater made its seventh championship appearance, having won titles in 2007, 2012, 2015 and 2020.
Brooklyn senior Adam Cowper won the state title with a three-game series of 729 (235-279-215). Coldwater sophomore Andrew Myers finished runner-up with a 696 series (223-268-205).
Girls Division II
Napoleon Claims First State Title, Coldwater Sweeps Individual Awards
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Napoleon won its first girls bowling state championship Friday, defeating Coldwater in the 2026 Division II Girls Bowling State Tournament at H.P. Lanes.
Napoleon (192-192-189) beat No. 1 seed Coldwater (132-165-144) 3-0 in the championship match in its third state championship match appearance. The Wildcats previously finished as runners-up in 2015 and 2022.
Napoleon earned the No. 2 seed in the championship rounds after a qualifying total of 3,612. The Wildcats defeated No. 7 seed Mechanicsburg 3-2 and No. 3 seed St. Mary’s Memorial 3-1 to reach the final.
Coldwater made its ninth championship match appearance. It previously won titles in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2020.
Despite the runner-up finish, Coldwater had two bowlers earn individual honors. Senior Brittany Burden won the individual title with a 640 series (198-229-213), and junior Rachel Moeller was runner-up with a 621 series (180-239-202).