Gahanna Lincoln's fall athletes hit the fields and courts Aug. 1, opening a season with rare momentum: the Golden Lions are defending back-to-back Ohio Capital Conference All-Sports Ralph Young Award titles.

The program posted 11 first-place conference finishes across all sports in 2025-26, earning the award for the second straight year. That all-sports dominance sets the bar heading into what will be the first full fall athletic season played in the new Gahanna Lincoln High School building, which opened in January with a ribbon-cutting that drew more than 2,000 community members.

The new facility features a competition gym, a three-court fieldhouse and an indoor batting cage area.

Fall sports already in motion

Golf got a head start. Boys and girls golf tryouts began July 29, days before the Aug. 1 OHSAA football practice start statewide. Football, cross country and other fall programs launched Saturday alongside programs across Ohio, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

The school's athletics department held a mandatory preseason parent meeting Monday, July 27, in the gymnasium for all student-athletes in grades 9-12 and at least one parent or guardian. Doors opened at 6 p.m.

Spring momentum carried forward

The Lions carried deep postseason runs into the summer. Two teams reached OHSAA Regional Championship games in May, and the boys and girls track and field squads competed at the state championships at Jesse Owens Stadium in early June.

What's ahead

Gahanna Lincoln Athletics urged the community on its official account Saturday to rally behind the Lions as they chase another all-sports title. The Golden Lions compete in the OCC, where specific fall schedules, including football's opener, have not yet been released.