Penelope Bolinger, a senior quarterback at St. Ursula Academy, was crowned the 2026 Bengals Girls Flag Football Player of the Year during the team's preseason festivities, a recognition that underscores both her on‑field dominance and her off‑field contributions.
A Season Defined by Records
Her leadership propelled the Bulldogs to their first-ever state championship game, where they fell just short in a tightly contested regional final at Paycor Stadium, finishing the season as Ohio’s top‑ranked quarterback according to MaxPreps.
Bolinger’s statistical résumé reads like a playbook of excellence: 312 completions, 3,394 passing yards and 61 touchdowns in the 2025 campaign, numbers that placed her at the apex of the state leaderboard and earned her a spot on the Enquirer’s all‑city first team.
Beyond the gridiron, she maintained a 3.8 GPA, captured a Division II state volleyball title in 2024, and committed to continuing her academic and athletic career at Wittenberg University.
Mentorship and Community Impact
Her dedication to community service shines through in more than 25 hours of volunteer mentorship, where she guided fifth‑through‑eighth‑grade athletes in flag‑football camps, helping to nurture the next generation of players.
The Bengals’ Flag Football Vision
The Bengals’ halftime exhibitions, featuring personalized jersey presentations and equipment donations, serve as a catalyst for growing the sport locally, with regional tournaments at Paycor Stadium providing a showcase for emerging talent.
As the sport continues to expand across the state, Bolinger’s story illustrates how athletic achievement, academic rigor, and community engagement can intersect to create a lasting impact.