Jerome's OCC title streak highlights 5 storylines in central Ohio high school boys golf
With the postseason approaching, central Ohio boys golf teams are gearing up for what they hope is success in October.
In Division I, Dublin Coffman, Dublin Jerome, New Albany, Olentangy Liberty and Upper Arlington are among the teams looking to earn the Central District's three berths to the state tournament Oct. 20 and 21 at Ohio State’s Scarlet Course.
“Liberty shot 285 (on Wednesday) in the (OCC-Central) tournament. That’s pretty good,” Jerome coach Colin Seely said. “Upper Arlington has probably been the top team all year long. You can never sleep on Coffman. They have five seniors and lots of experience. They could be there as well.”
Jerome, UA and New Albany wrapped up OCC titles Wednesday. Jerome was seventh at state last year, one spot ahead of UA.
In Division II, Columbus Academy is looking to recapture the state title after finishing second last season. The Vikings had won the previous five state championships.
In Division III, Newark Catholic hopes to build on its second-place finish at state a season ago.
The Division III sectional is Sept. 26 at Darby Creek, with Division II sectionals Sept. 26 at Denison Golf Club and Sept. 27 at Oakhaven. The Division I sectionals are Oct. 3 at Darby Creek, Denison and Turnberry and Oct. 4 at EagleSticks.
The Division II and Division III district tournaments are Oct. 4 at Turnberry, and Division I is Oct. 10 at Apple Valley.
The Division II and Division III state tournaments are Oct. 13 and 14 at NorthStar and OSU Scarlet, respectively.
Here are five storylines from the boys golf season so far:
1. Dublin Jerome continues dominance of OCC-Cardinal
The Celtics earned their 20th consecutive league title by going 20-0 in the OCC-Cardinal. Thomas Worthington (16-4) finished second.
Jerome’s Christian Bellinger, Colin Richards and Zach Radtke earned first-team all-league honors.
“We have our sights set on one thing, so this is part of the process,” Seely said. “An OCC title is awesome, but now we turn our eyes to the postseason and try to chase that goal of a state championship.”
The Celtics won state titles in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and have captured nine overall.
Thomas is led by junior Jack Flores, who was OCC-Cardinal Player of the Year with a 71 average.
“Jack has been playing well all year,” Thomas coach Neil Bittel said. “He didn’t have his best round (Wednesday, shooting a 76), but it was good enough. He’s been the leader for our team all year. When you have four rounds against Dublin Jerome and he comes out on top, it’s pretty impressive for him.”
2. Upper Arlington wins competitive OCC-Central
In what league coaches called the most competitive division in the OCC, UA finished first (18-2) ahead of Liberty (17-3) and Coffman (13-7).
“This might be the toughest OCC division maybe ever,” UA coach Troy Arbaugh said. “With us, Liberty, Coffman and even with Hilliard Davidson, from top to bottom it’s definitely the most competitive division. It’s tough.”
UA is led by senior Brady Catalano, an Oklahoma State commit who earned his second consecutive league Player of the Year honor with a 69 average.
“I’m not surprised,” Arbaugh said. “Over the last week or so, relative to his expectations, he is not playing well, but he’s just good enough. He knows what to do and how to get the ball in the hole and hold it together.”
Girls golf: 5 midseason storylines for central Ohio
Liberty’s Holden Orofino (72.25 average) and Coffman’s Luke Warner (72.5) led their teams during league play and joined Catalano on the first team.
“I don’t think anybody would argue that the OCC-Central isn’t the toughest division,” Coffman coach Scott Sutherland said. “Jerome and Thomas Worthington are very good teams this year, but we have three, four really good teams in this division.”
3. New Albany captures OCC-Ohio title
New Albany won its second consecutive OCC-Ohio title, going 20-0. Gahanna Lincoln and Grove City tied for second (14-6).
New Albany’s Alexander Ritter was league Player of the Year with a 75.25 average. He was joined on the first team by teammates Huston Ritter and Harrison Williams.
The Eagles won 10 consecutive OCC-Capital championships from 2010-19 before the conference’s most recent realignment.
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Reynoldsburg won the OCC-Buckeye title (14-1), while Big Walnut and Worthington Kilbourne were co-champions in the OCC-Capital (21-3).
Reynoldsburg’s Grant Raubenolt (73.5) and Kilbourne’s Mac Ferguson (76.75) were Players of the Year in those divisions.
4. Jonathan Alder approaching league championship
Jonathan Alder is closing in on its sixth consecutive CBC title.
The Pioneers are 8-0 in the CBC-Kenton Trail with matches remaining against Urbana on Monday and London on Wednesday. Jonathan Alder will then compete in the 18-hole CBC Tournament on Thursday at the Elks 51 Golf Club in Springfield.
“We’re playing pretty well,” coach Mitch Koester said. “It’s all about getting the guys playing well on the same day. ... I feel pretty confident going into the postseason.”
Brady Fox has a team-best 35.8 average for nine holes. He tied for sixth (156) last season at state.
“Brady is real consistent, always around par,” Koester said. “He’s definitely the leader on the course.”
Along with Academy, Koester expects Buckeye Valley and Centerburg to be contenders at district.
5. Newark Catholic enjoying another strong season
Newark Catholic is closing in on an LCL title after finishing first in each of the first three rounds of league tournament play. The final round is Tuesday at Denison.
Brogan Sullivan has a team-best 76 average. Other key golfers have been Brian Luft, Max Vanoy, Bobby Kieber and Nathan Riggleman.
“We have had each of our top five be low scorer for the team at least once this season,” coach Phil West said.
Newark Catholic was runner-up (664) to Cincinnati Seven Hills (659) last year at state.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Here are 5 storylines in Columbus-area high school boys golf
