Gahanna Lincoln's boys bowling team received a city proclamation and resolution Aug. 3, when Mayor Jadwin and Gahanna City Council formally honored the Golden Lions for finishing second at the 2026 U.S. High School Bowling National Championship.

The runner-up finish, which the city's Resolution RES-0040-2026 calls "historic," caps the most decorated season in program history.

The national championship tournament ran June 20–22 at Palace Lanes in Columbus. The Golden Lions earned the program's best-ever national result, though the team that topped them in the final and the match score have not been publicly released.

The national finish came just months after senior Kael Clous became the first individual state bowling champion in Gahanna Lincoln history. Clous rolled a three-game series of 720 (232, 255, 233) at the OHSAA State Championship on March 7, then helped lead the team into the national tournament. He carried a 205.7 average for the season and served as co-captain for two years.

At the June 1 council meeting where Clous was honored individually for his state title, he expressed confidence in the program's future and said he was grateful for four years on the team.

Coach Yvonne Quiero, now in her ninth year leading the program, described Clous at that same June 1 meeting as "a calm leader who consistently supported and encouraged his teammates."

Beyond the national stage, the 2025–2026 squad went 11-0 in Central Ohio School Bowling Conference play, won back-to-back COSBC overall championships and consecutive district titles, posted a perfect 5-0 OC divisional record, and finished fourth at the OHSAA state team tournament.

Mifflin Township Trustee Jamie Leeseberg confirmed the team's national runner-up finish at the township's July 6 meeting, noting the team would be invited for recognition at a subsequent session.

Monday's council presentation marks the second time this year the city has honored the bowling program. Council previously recognized Clous individually with RES-0018-2026 on June 1.

Clous has signed with Marian University, where he plans to major in mechanical engineering and continue bowling. No opening match date for the 2026–2027 Gahanna Lincoln bowling season has been announced.