In just his second season leading the program, Brad Sparling guided the boys golf team at Dublin Jerome High School to the 2025 Division I State Championship on Oct. 13 at Firestone Country Club, securing the school’s 10th overall state title and first since 2019.
The championship, conducted by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), came after a tightly contested two-day tournament in which Jerome edged central Ohio rival St. Charles Preparatory School by just two strokes, 578–580. The Celtics entered the final round with a five-stroke lead and held off a late push from St. Charles to secure the victory.
Junior standout Brady Barnum earned medalist honors to help lead Jerome to the title, capping what many observers consider one of the most dominant seasons in Ohio high school golf history.
Historic Performance and National Recognition
The 2025 campaign produced record-setting results throughout the postseason:
- 15 tournament victories
- 288.3 team scoring average — lowest in program history
- Sectional score: 273 — program record
- District score: 283 — program record
- State championship score: 578 — Division I state record (17 strokes better than the previous mark)
- +2 to par — surpassed the previous best by 25 strokes
The team is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation, and its postseason scoring performances have led some to describe the group as the greatest high school golf team ever produced in the state of Ohio.
Coach Reaction and Program Milestones
Following the championship, Sparling emphasized the competitiveness of the field and the effort required to secure the win.
Speaking to the Akron Beacon Journal, he said:
“We have so many great teams around the state and especially in the Central District. We feel really fortunate to win. Our team played great. St. Charles played great. We were just blessed to come out on top. I’m really happy for the boys. They worked really hard.”
Sparling also credited assistant coach Chris Carlisle and the broader school community for their support throughout the season.
The championship added to an already impressive coaching résumé for Sparling, who has now coached 19 individual high school state champions during his career.
A Rare Double Title for Dublin Jerome
The victory also coincided with another milestone for the school’s athletic department, as the Dublin Jerome girls golf team captured the Division I state championship the same weekend. It marked the first time since 2013 that both the boys and girls programs from the same school won team state titles in the same season.
Legacy of the 2025 Team
With record-breaking scores at every level of postseason competition, a national No. 1 ranking, and a state championship decided against one of Ohio’s strongest programs, the 2025 Dublin Jerome boys golf team has secured a place in state history.
For Sparling, the season represents both a championship achievement and a continuation of a coaching career defined by player development and competitive excellence at the highest levels of high school golf.