Stacia Simmons of Clark Montessori shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week for Jan. 23, 2026.
The Clark Montessori girls basketball team share the certificate they won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball team of the week for Jan. 23, 2026.
Hannah Weigle of Little Miami shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Dec. 19.
Colton Dickerson of Springboro shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Dec. 19.
The Blanchester bowling team, with coach Paul Jackson in the middle, shares the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine boys winter team of the week for Dec. 12, 2025. The team is, from left, Brian White, Samuel Woolridge, Caleb Mobley, coach Paul Jackson, Elijah McVey, Lucas Cirivello and Randy Eckman.
Randy Eckman of Blanchester, with his coach Paul Jackson, shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Ohio small-school bowler of the week for Dec. 12, 2025.
Beechwood's Dylan Topmiller, joined by his coach Ross Hart, shares the certificate he earned by being voted the Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Northern Kentucky basketball player of the week for Dec 26, 2025.
Tyler Owens of Goshen shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week for Dec. 19, 2025.
Alyssa Bechtol of Notre Dame Academy shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Nov. 21, 2025.
Ty Martin of Clinton-Massie shares the certificate he earned as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine's football player of the week for Oct. 31, 2025.
Kaylin Wegford of Dixie Heights shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Oct. 31, 2025.
From left, Moeller's Preston Wesley, Brock Grubert, and Hayden Sorg share the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runners of the week for Sept. 26, Sept. 19 and Oct. 10, respectively.
Brooke Woosley of Oak Hills shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 5.
Noah Fuller of Holy Cross shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross-country runner of the week for Oct. 10.
Sam VandeWater of Campbell County High School shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine boys cross-country runner of the week for Sept. 19.
Sophie Qiao of Indian Hill shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine small-school volleyball player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025. With her are varsity head coach Angel Miller-Ell and assistant coach Mike Barrie.
Sam Neuhaus of St. Henry District High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 26.
Colin Wooldridge of La Salle shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine football player of the week for Sept. 26, 2025.
Emily Steinke of Lakota East shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer Spirit Award individual winner for the week of Sept. 12, 2025.
The South Dearborn High School cheerleaders share the certificate they won as The Enquirer Spirit Award team winner for Sept. 19.
Joined by his teammates, Aengus Growcock of Middletown Madison shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.
Mia Young of Seton shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine tennis player of the week for Sept. 19.
Elena Kelley of Seton shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine golfer of the week for Sept. 19.
Makenna Martin of Fairfield shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer's Spirit Award winner for Sept. 26, 2025.
Shepherd Dozier of Conner High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine football player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.
Alexis Kampsen of Conner shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.
Laura Raines of Kings shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Sept. 12, 2025.
Bacon Geer of Clermont Northeastern shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Ohio small-school football player of the week for Sept. 12, 2025.
Aaron Eckler of Ryle High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.
Annie Zuerner of Calvary Christian girls soccer, shown with her teammates, shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls soccer player of the week for Aug. 29, 2025.
The Newport Central Catholic cheerleaders won the Cincinnati Enquirer Spirit Award for Aug. 29, 2025.
Victoria Sebald of Villa Madonna shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.
Nina Tibbs of Villa Madonna shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.
Preslee Walter of East Central shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.
John Meis and Rocco Fischer share the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine golfer (Sept. 5) and soccer player (Aug. 29) of the week, respectively.1 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Stacia Simmons of Clark Montessori shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week for Jan. 23, 2026.1 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Stacia Simmons of Clark Montessori shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week for Jan. 23, 2026.2 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
The Clark Montessori girls basketball team share the certificate they won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball team of the week for Jan. 23, 2026.3 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Hannah Weigle of Little Miami shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Dec. 19.
4 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Colton Dickerson of Springboro shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Dec. 19.5 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
The Blanchester bowling team, with coach Paul Jackson in the middle, shares the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine boys winter team of the week for Dec. 12, 2025. The team is, from left, Brian White, Samuel Woolridge, Caleb Mobley, coach Paul Jackson, Elijah McVey, Lucas Cirivello and Randy Eckman.6 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Randy Eckman of Blanchester, with his coach Paul Jackson, shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Ohio small-school bowler of the week for Dec. 12, 2025.7 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Beechwood's Dylan Topmiller, joined by his coach Ross Hart, shares the certificate he earned by being voted the Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Northern Kentucky basketball player of the week for Dec 26, 2025.8 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Tyler Owens of Goshen shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week for Dec. 19, 2025.9 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Alyssa Bechtol of Notre Dame Academy shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Nov. 21, 2025.10 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Ty Martin of Clinton-Massie shares the certificate he earned as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine's football player of the week for Oct. 31, 2025.11 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Kaylin Wegford of Dixie Heights shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Oct. 31, 2025.12 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
From left, Moeller's Preston Wesley, Brock Grubert, and Hayden Sorg share the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runners of the week for Sept. 26, Sept. 19 and Oct. 10, respectively.13 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Brooke Woosley of Oak Hills shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 5.14 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Noah Fuller of Holy Cross shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross-country runner of the week for Oct. 10.15 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Sam VandeWater of Campbell County High School shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine boys cross-country runner of the week for Sept. 19.16 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Sophie Qiao of Indian Hill shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine small-school volleyball player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025. With her are varsity head coach Angel Miller-Ell and assistant coach Mike Barrie.17 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Sam Neuhaus of St. Henry District High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 26.18 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Colin Wooldridge of La Salle shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine football player of the week for Sept. 26, 2025.19 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Emily Steinke of Lakota East shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer Spirit Award individual winner for the week of Sept. 12, 2025.20 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
The South Dearborn High School cheerleaders share the certificate they won as The Enquirer Spirit Award team winner for Sept. 19.21 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Joined by his teammates, Aengus Growcock of Middletown Madison shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.22 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Mia Young of Seton shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine tennis player of the week for Sept. 19.23 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Elena Kelley of Seton shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine golfer of the week for Sept. 19.24 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Makenna Martin of Fairfield shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer's Spirit Award winner for Sept. 26, 2025.25 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Shepherd Dozier of Conner High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine football player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.26 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Alexis Kampsen of Conner shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.27 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Laura Raines of Kings shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Sept. 12, 2025.28 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Bacon Geer of Clermont Northeastern shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Ohio small-school football player of the week for Sept. 12, 2025.29 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Aaron Eckler of Ryle High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.30 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Annie Zuerner of Calvary Christian girls soccer, shown with her teammates, shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls soccer player of the week for Aug. 29, 2025.31 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
The Newport Central Catholic cheerleaders won the Cincinnati Enquirer Spirit Award for Aug. 29, 2025.32 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Victoria Sebald of Villa Madonna shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.33 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Nina Tibbs of Villa Madonna shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.34 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
Preslee Walter of East Central shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.35 / 352025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos
John Meis and Rocco Fischer share the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine golfer (Sept. 5) and soccer player (Aug. 29) of the week, respectively.The Cincinnati Enquirer introduced a new voting feature for the 2026 high school sports year: The Spirit Award for cheerleaders, dance team members and their squads.
Much like the popular athlete of the week voting, school fans and friends voted on two weekly ballots (individual and team) for The Spirit Award. Only coaches can provide nominations each week, either for their squads or other teams.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis week's vote determined The Spirit Award winners for Feb. 20, 2026. This was the final vote for the 2025-2026 sports year.
Caydence Abner, Goshen
Caydence Abner of Goshen is The Enquirer's Spirit Award individual winner for Feb. 20, 2026."She has worked hard the last several years and volunteered to help the younger cheerleaders become acquainted with our program at every level. She not only works with the younger high school cheerleaders but also volunteers her time at the youth level by coaching the elementary age cheerleaders. Caydence is always willing to invest her own time to help others. In fact, she recently even helped one of the underclassmen to understand a math-related homework problem after our practice time," according to coach Jacque Strauss.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"I know that I can count on Caydence to get things done when the need presents itself. Furthermore, she has done a great job of balancing school, work and sports the last few years. She prioritizes her schedule showing a responsibility and maturity that makes her an asset to her team. This candidate is definitely a role model for younger girls. Caydence is a true example of the fruits of the Spirit, both inside and outside of school."
Goshen High School cheerleaders
The Goshen High School cheer squad is The Enquirer's Spirit Award team winner for Feb. 20, 2026."All three of our squads used their own money to shop for a family in need at Christmas. Additionally, they show up at community events (including cheering at two of our girls’ games this past season) and represent the spirit of teamwork no matter where they are,: Strauss said.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat is the criteria for The Spirit Award?
Eligible are varsity girls and boys cheerleaders and dancers who exemplify the fruits of the spirit ‒ love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – while uplifting their squads, the student body and others. Team nominations focus on squads that come together to help each other, work hard, do things right that week, show outstanding virtues when dealing with or serving others, exceed expectations to prepare something special for the school or take part in any other honorable reason they might be acknowledged.
If you win, what's next?
Families have the option, after a win, to send in a VERY short (five to 10 seconds) thank you video from the athlete within two hours of the win for a winners' compilation video. The video's orientation must be vertical. Send videos by email to [email protected] or through Messenger on Facebook.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Enquirer will no longer mail certificates to schools after getting feedback that families weren't receiving them. Alex Harrison will make digital copies of all certificates available to families by 8 a.m. the Monday after the Friday win. Families will access the PDFs through this public Dropbox link.
Once printed, families can email a photo of athletes with their certificate to [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Enquirer announces Spirit Award winners for Feb. 20
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