Gahanna Lincoln's boys and girls cross country teams both won OCC Ohio Division championships Saturday, Oct. 17.
Gahanna Lincoln Athletics announced the double title on social media, posting "It is a GREAT DAY TO BE A LION!" along with a team photo. The girls won with 20 points, ahead of Pickerington North’s 50. Abigail Young won in 18:02.30. The boys won with 25 points, ahead of New Albany’s 58; Beckett Anderson led Gahanna in second place at 15:55.35.
The conference titles continue a stretch of strong results for both programs. The girls' team won the 2025 OHSAA state championship on Nov. 1, 2025, at Fortress Obetz. It was the first state title in the program's history.
Gahanna Lincoln finished with 81 points at state, beating runner-up Hilliard Davidson by 55. Ruby Lewis led the Lions with a sixth-place finish in 18:06.65. Abigail Young placed 11th in 18:21.49, and Jillian Gomez finished 23rd in 18:43.95.
The girls showed that depth early. At the OHSAA Preseason Invitational in August 2025, the Lions took first with 54 points under Head Coach Ryan Callihan. Lewis finished second in 18:20, a career best by 20 seconds. Olivia Smeck placed fourth in 18:45, also a personal record. Gomez was ninth in 19:13, beating her previous best by 16 seconds.
After that preseason win, Callihan emphasized the role of summer preparation. "We had a goal … to go out and show everyone the hard work we put in this summer, and the girls executed on that plan!" he said in August 2025.
The boys' squad has shown depth this fall as well. At a Sept. 26 meet at Lancaster, the Lions rested their top varsity runners and gave younger athletes a first varsity race experience. Caleb Bolumen led the group with a 17:33, followed by Xander Howson at 17:49 and Jack Sammons at 18:01.
Saturday's OCC sweep means the girls will defend their state title as conference champions, with the OHSAA postseason ahead.
