COLUMBUS, OH – The Central Buckeye League is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025–26 Scholar Athlete of the Year Award for the senior class. This year’s honorees are Gabe Davis-Ray of Columbus Academy and Delaney Woods of Columbus School for Girls.
Male Scholar Athlete of the Year
Gabe Davis Ray – Columbus Academy
Gabe Davis Ray has distinguished himself as an exceptional student-athlete through his accomplishments in the classroom, in athletics, and within the community.
A three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track & field, Ray has earned varsity letters throughout his high school career, including four letters in football and three letters each in basketball and track. He has committed to continue his football career at Northwestern University while studying business economics.
Academically, Ray has maintained a weighted 4.5 GPA while earning Academic All-League honors throughout high school. He has also received multiple Spanish award keys on the National Spanish Exam.
Athletically, Ray has compiled an impressive list of honors across all three sports.
Football Honors
- Dispatch Voted Top Senior Athlete in Central Ohio Football
- Dispatch Top Preseason Football Player
- Three-time First Team All-League selection
- Central Buckeye League Player of the Year
- Emil Godfrey Award recipient
- Three-time First Team All-District selection
- 2025 Division V Central District Player of the Year
- Third Team All-State
- Second Team All-State
- First Team All-State
- 2025 Division V State Defensive Player of the Year
- Football team captain
- Team MVP
- Charlie David Award recipient, the highest honor in the Columbus Academy football program
Track & Field Honors
- 2025 Central Buckeye League Champion
- 2024 Central Buckeye League Runner-Up
- District Champion
- 2025 All-State honoree
- State finalist, finishing fifth in Ohio
- School record holder in the 400-meter dash with a time of 48.55
Basketball Honors
- Two-year team captain
- Second Team All-CBL selection
- All-District honoree
- District 10 All-Star
In addition to his athletic and academic accomplishments, Ray has demonstrated strong leadership and service throughout the Columbus Academy community. He served as a leader of the Christian Affinity Group and helped propose a club centered around the well-being of student-athletes. Ray is also a member of the African American Student Affinity Group and the Art Society Club. His volunteer efforts include 46 hours of service at Mid-Ohio Market at HEART, along with more than 20 additional community service hours through Columbus Academy.
“Gabe is one of the best football players and human beings I’ve ever been around, proving to be a true privilege to coach him for four years,” Columbus Academy football head coach Robin Miller wrote. “He’s a once-in-a-lifetime talent on the field, but also in the classroom and, most importantly, in life. He follows our team rules to a T of ‘Play right, act right’ and ‘Never let your teammates down.’”
Female Scholar Athlete of the Year
Delaney Woods – Columbus School for Girls
Delaney Woods has excelled as a student-athlete, leader, and role model throughout her outstanding career at Columbus School for Girls.
A four-year letterwinner in soccer, diving, and track & field, Woods has consistently demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and service. She will continue her education at Indiana University, where she plans to study finance.
Academically, Woods has maintained a 3.98 unweighted GPA while earning numerous honors and recognitions. Her accomplishments include being named the Central Buckeye League Junior Scholar Athlete of the Year in back-to-back years, receiving the Young Women’s Leadership Award, Citizenship Award, Outstanding Thesis in Research Capstone recognition, and the George Eastman Young Leaders Award. She was also selected to attend the HOBY Leadership Camp and became a published author in The Concord Review.
Athletically, Woods has earned an impressive list of accomplishments across all three sports.
Soccer Honors
- Four-year varsity letterwinner
- Two-time soccer team captain
- Two-time Soccer Offensive Player of the Year
Diving Honors
- Four-year varsity letterwinner
- State qualifier all four years of high school
- 16th-place finisher at the state meet as a senior
- Central Buckeye League Honorable Mention honoree
- Two-time dive team captain
- Two-time Most Valuable Player
- Two-time All-Out Hustle Award recipient
Track & Field Honors
- Four-year varsity letterwinner
- Rookie of the Year
- Regional qualifier
- State qualifier all four years
Beyond athletics and academics, Woods has demonstrated exceptional leadership within the Columbus School for Girls community. Her leadership positions include serving as Student Council President, Vice President, Secretary, and Class Representative. She has also served as secretary of the Entrepreneurship Club, a two-time newspaper editor, a four-year Gold Key Ambassador, and an active member of the Student Athlete Leadership Program.
Woods has also dedicated time to community service through her volunteer work with Nationwide Children’s Hospital as a youth volunteer and as a Buddy Up Tennis volunteer.
“Delaney has been a dedicated member of the CSG soccer, diving, and track teams for four years, exemplifying commitment and leadership,” Columbus School for Girls soccer head coach Genelle Castro wrote. “A junior captain and unanimous senior repeat captain, she fostered team unity while excelling academically with a 4.0 GPA, competing at the state level in diving all four years and in track, and serving as student body president.”