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December 14, 2016
Ohio 10th anniversary

Ohio is home to a range of sporting teams and venues, including the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the first professionally organized baseball team (Reds) and the Memorial Golf Tournament, which is held in our own backyard of Dublin. We're avid fans, so it only makes sense that the celebration of our first 10 years includes a list of our top 10 Ohio sports moments from the past decade.

01. Cavs Win the 2016 NBA Championship

What better Ohio sports moment than the Cleveland Cavaliers winning the 2016 NBA Championship against the favored Golden State Warriors. The team made history by becoming the first NBA Championship team in franchise history, and the first team in NBA history, to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the Finals! 

Cavs_2016_NBA_Champions
Image: Fox Sports
02. Ohio State Buckeyes are 2014 College Football National Champions

Led by quarterback Cardale Jones and running back Ezekiel Elliot, the Buckeyes rolled past the Oregon Ducks in the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship game with a score of 42-20. Despite losing two quarterbacks during the regular season, the Buckeyes were able to accomplish the impossible with their third string quarterback leading them to a tremendous victory. O-H!

OSU_2014_College_Football_National_Champions
Image: Ohio State Buckeyes
03. Cleveland Indians Make it to Game 7 of the 2016 World Series

Although the Indians did not come away with the game 7 victory, the team still had a monumental season making it to the World Series for the first time in nearly 20 years. The team marked impressive results with 94 regular season wins as well as victories over the Red Sox and Blue Jays on their way to the World Series. 

Cleveland_Indians_Game7_2016_World_Series
Image: Wall Street Journal
04. Reds go to 2010 Playoffs for the first time in 15 years

Jay Bruce secured this moment in Red’s history on September 28, 2010 by hitting a walk-off home run at the Great American Ball Park and sending the Reds to their first playoff game in 15 years. The Reds beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-2 and finished the season with a total of 91 wins. 

Reds_2010_Playoffs
Image: Sandiego Union Tribune
05. #1 Ohio State defeats #2 Michigan in the 2006 season

There is no better college sports rivalry than the Ohio State Buckeyes vs. That Team Up North. The 2006 matchup was more intense than ever with the Buckeyes ranked #1 and Michigan ranked #2 in the polls. Ohio State walked away with a very tight 42-39 win over Michigan. 

#1OSU_defeats_#2Michigan_2006
Image: SB Nation
06. Columbus CREW Wins the 2008 MLS Championship

In 2008, the Columbus CREW won their first ever MLS Cup Championship with a record of (17-7-6). The CREW was also the first MLS team in 6 seasons to win the Supporter’s Shield – MLS Cup Double and qualified for the CONCACAF Champions league. 

Columbus_CREW_2008_MLS_Champions
Image: The New York Times; Lucy Nicholson/Reuters
07. Dayton Flyers Make it to the Elite 8

The Dayton Flyers shocked the nation when they beat out No. 6 Ohio State and No. 3 Syracuse to make it to the 2014 NCAA Basketball Elite 8. It was reported that the surprise run brought in over $70 million for the city of Dayton.

Dayton_Flyers_Elite8
Image: ESPN; Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
08. First Pelotonia held in 2008

The first Pelotonia, a 3-day cycling event, was started in Columbus, Ohio, in 2008. Over the course of the past 8 years, riders have raised more than $120 million for cancer research at the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.   

First_Pelotonia_2008
Image: Ed Momot / For The Lantern
09. Presidents Cup 2013

All eyes were on Dublin, Ohio, when the city hosted the 2013 President’s Cup at the Muirfield Village Golf Club. The selection was made in part as a tribute to the golfing icon, Jack Nicklaus, who designed the course. The United States team walked away with the win. 

Presidents_Cup_2013
Image: Adam Cairns | Dispatch
10. Bengals Make their 5th Straight Playoff Appearance

2015 marked the Bengals’ 5th straight playoff appearance (a franchise record) under head coach Marvin Lewis. During their 2015 season, the team also recorded the best start in franchise history, winning 7 straight games. 

BEngals_5th_Straight_Playoffs
Image: Inquisitr; John Grieshop/Getty Images

 

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