Cincinnati.com has announced the winners of the readers' choice Cincinnati fall Athletes of the Year for the 2025-2026 season, following a voting period that concluded on June 26. This initiative enabled fans to select their favorite athletes from the Athlete of the Week honorees and the recently announced High School Sports Awards winners. Among the highlighted teams and individuals are Loveland's football team, Sofia France in girls cross country, and several standout athletes in soccer, golf, volleyball, and more. The voting will continue with separate ballots for winter and spring sports set to be released on June 29 and July 6, respectively.

By the Numbers
  • Cincinnati.com received numerous reader votes to determine the athletes across various categories.
  • This announcement includes athletes from high school sports action in the fall of the 2025-2026 season.
State of Play
  • In football, the Loveland big-school team and Deer Park small-school team were recognized as top performers.
  • Notable individual awards included Silas Beard for Ohio boys cross country and Sophia France for Ohio girls cross country, showcasing local talent.
What's Next

Expect more engagement as readers will soon have the opportunity to vote for winter and spring sports athletes. This ongoing format allows fans to actively participate in recognizing athletic achievements in high school sports.

Bottom Line

Readers now have a platform to spotlight their favorite athletes, fostering a sense of community and recognition for high school sports excellence. This initiative emphasizes the importance of fan involvement in celebrating local talent.