​The Dispatch has announced its selections for the top athletes, coaches, and teams of the 2025-26 season, unveiled at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards ceremony held June 22 at Upper Arlington High School. Readers are invited to cast their votes throughout the summer, and this week’s focus is the vote for Boys Coach of the Year. Voting remains open through 4 p.m. on July 17. Please note that votes submitted by email will not be counted.
Among the honorees, Hilliard Bradley’s Brett Norris, the head coach of the Jaguars, is highlighted for guiding the program to a 25-3 season and earning a spot in the Division I state tournament, where they finished as runner-up. Norris, in his 12th year at Bradley, is approaching 500 career wins, having previously coached Delphos St. John’s to a 2002 Division IV state championship. The Dispatch recognizes Norris’s sustained excellence and his impact on his players and the program over more than a decade.
In track and field, Ryan Borland of Big Walnut earned a place among the season’s standout coaches after guiding the Golden Eagles to a state championship—their first. Borland’s six-season tenure culminated in a dominant performance from a strong sprint group and relay squads, including contributions from Ohio State football commit Jamier Brown in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, Chase Bergsten in the 110 hurdles, and the 400-relay team, helping Big Walnut amass 41 team points and secure a first-place tie with New Philadelphia.
Noah Creagh of Whetstone earned recognition for guiding the Braves to a district championship last fall, delivering a notable resurgence at his alma mater. Over five seasons, Creagh has posted a 49-24-9 record, and his leadership earned him Division II district and state Coach of the Year honors in the fall after Whetstone became only the second City League team to reach the regional tournament.
Kyle Goodrich of St. Charles is acknowledged for his role in delivering a repeat Division I team title for the Cardinals in swimming and diving. Under Goodrich’s direction, St. Charles featured four first-place performances at the state meet, including individual and relay titles. Goodrich returns to his alma mater for a second coaching stint, previously leading St. Charles from 2002-09 and now returning for a continued run of success in the program’s history.
Brian Kennedy of Watterson is noted for steering the Eagles to unprecedented success on the football field, including a 30-game winning streak and consecutive Division III state championships. A 1992 graduate who played at Southern Methodist University, Kennedy has been at the helm of Watterson for 23 seasons and holds a 79-30 record since taking the head coach position in 2017.
Brett Norris’s inclusion as Hilliard Bradley’s basketball coach also highlights his long-standing impact, with the Jaguars advancing to the Division I state tournament and finishing as runners-up in a season that stood among the district’s most successful in recent memory. Norris is nearing 500 career wins, having previously guided Delphos St. John’s to the 2002 Division IV state title.
In baseball, Mike Sandman of New Albany is recognized for guiding the Eagles to a Division II state championship in his final season with the program. Sandman’s tenure at New Albany saw an 80-38 record, including a 26-7 mark this year, following earlier roles at Johnstown and Utica. He resigned in mid-June to serve as dean of students at Utica Middle School, marking the end of a notable chapter in New Albany’s baseball history.
On the football front, Wes Schroeder of Olentangy Orange earned recognition for his role in leading the Pioneers to their first-ever state championship, finishing an undefeated 15-0 season with a 28-14 victory over Cincinnati St. Xavier in the Division I final. Schroeder’s second season at Orange solidified the program’s ascent to the top echelon of Ohio high school football and underscored the program’s continued growth under his leadership.
Voting logistics and details for the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards remain straightforward: fans can participate in the ongoing summer ballot for various categories, including Boys Coach of the Year, with the deadline set for 4 p.m. on July 17. Please submit votes through the official channel only, as emails will not be counted. The Dispatch’s selections showcase a year of exceptional achievements across Central Ohio high school sports, highlighting coaches and programs that have distinguished themselves through leadership, excellence, and teamwork. Fans are encouraged to continue following the awards throughout the summer as more categories, honors, and profiles are shared.