There is now tangible evidence of total Bexley supremacy in the world of Mid-State League Ohio Division high school athletics.

For the first time in its four-year affiliation with the league, the Lions' athletic department earned the MSL Ohio All-Sports Award for its overall achievements during the 2006-07 school year. Points are based on finishes for each respective team in the league race during the fall, winter and spring seasons, and then added together to reach a workable sum.

"A special thanks to our spring sports teams for putting the finishing touches on what was a very close race with Granville for this title," Bexley athletics director John Morgan said. "A special banner is being purchased for the gym to commemorate this honor and hopefully future years will be added."

Although the months leading up to June graduation may have sealed the deal, the push began in earnest right out of the gates in August. Three fall sports squads stormed to league titles, including then-coach Jim Daugherty and the boys soccer team, coach Scott Dempsey and the girls soccer team, and coach Jim Ryan and the boys golf team.

Surprisingly enough, no more championships were accrued for Bexley, although high placers were seen across the board during the rest of the year, including solid showings in football, boys cross country, volleyball, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls swimming, boys and girls tennis, and boys track -- among others.

Several previous all-sports honors were bestowed upon Bexley in the now-defunct Buckeye Athletic Conference East Division during the 1990s and the early part of this decade.

As Morgan stated, all Lions supporters hope this is only the first of such accolades to come to Cassingham Road since both Carlton Smith Stadium and Gene Millard Gymnasium received recent upgrades.

Moreover, Bexley found itself among the leaders in the standings of the prestigious Ohio High Cup, a distinction given out for the fourth consecutive year by the Ohio High School Athletic Association. Much like the NCAA Director's Cup, the Ohio High Cup is given to the top athletic programs with points accumulated based on advancement to the state tournament in team competitions.

Courtesy of six points, Bexley was among the top 20 schools in Ohio regardless of division in terms of all-around athletic achievement. Crowned the best was Kettering Alter (15).

Points came to the Lions via state tournament semifinal appearances by the boys and girls soccer squads, and a third-place effort at the state tournament by the boys golf team.

Never one to look back instead of forward, Ryan envisions an even better ending for his charges on the links in October. That could open the door for another Bexley push toward all-sports honors for 2007-08.

"(This season), I think we can win the state championship," Ryan said. "We have a lot coming back and we could be right there with the best teams in the state."