The year was full of sporting highlights, including Ohio State’s men’s and women’s basketball championships, CJ Stroud’s NFL debut, another MLS Cup for the Columbus Crew and elite high school players to watch.
Columbus monthly presents our editors’ picks for some of the best sports stories of the year, from the Columbus Crew and the Ohio State Buckeyes to an Upper Arlington high school polo dynasty to a Thomas Worthington High School field hockey player who made game-winning shots in two consecutive state championships.
Best interview
When Chris Holtmann, basketball coach at Ohio State University, was fired in the middle of the season, Jake Dieblera former assistant, could have been nothing more than a placeholder. Instead, Diebler led an immediate upset victory over No. 2 Purdue, and the Buckeyes won eight of their final 11 games, earning him the full-time job. That he brought in talent from the transfer portal in the offseason shows that his success is more than just a rebound.
The best Groundhog Day experience
Every athlete dreams of that decisive moment – the game is on the brink, the ball is in his possession – but apparently Sophia Borghese has a recurring dream. In 2022, the freshman field hockey player scored the game-winning goal in overtime for Thomas Worthington to win the state championship. Fast forward to 2023 – the state title match was tied 1-1 in overtime – and Borghese again scored the game-winning goal. With two more years of high school to go, no one is missing her now.
Best Statement Game
This year was a turning point for women’s basketball, fueled in large part by Iowa’s wildly popular phenomenon Caitlin Clark. But for a few hours the Buckeyes secured their place in the spotlight by overcoming Clark’s 45 points and defeating the No. 2 Hawkeyes. The game also gave a taste of WNBA matchups to come, as OSU’s Jacy Sheldon and Celeste Taylor were selected in the draft along with Clark and teammate Kate Martin.
Best Portal Pickups
After the third straight loss to Michigan and a faceplant against Missouri in the Yikes, Let’s Never Speak of This Again Bowl, coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes sought help from the transfer portal. They made a great offer, bringing in talented quarterbacks Will Howard (Kansas State) and Julian Sayin (Alabama), capable running back Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss), stalwart lineman Seth McLaughlin (Alabama) and star safety Caleb Downs (Alabama). Forget reloading – OSU has brought out the bigger guns.
Best semi-submerged achievement
What makes a dynasty? Would the Kansas City Chiefs, who have won three Super Bowl rings in five years, qualify? Yes, maybe. But a true dynasty is a given. Take The Upper Arlington Girls Water Polo Teamwhich won its 19th state championship in 24 years last November. The win was the fifth in a row for the school, meaning two consecutive graduating classes have achieved nothing less than a title. That’s dominance.
Best rookie debut
There are impressive premieres, and then there is what the former OSU quarterback CJ Stroud with the Houston Texans. His 4,108 passing yards in a season were the third-most all-time for an NFL rookie, and he set the rookie single-game passing record with 470 yards. He became the youngest quarterback ever to win a playoff game and the first former Buckeye quarterback to make the Pro Bowl. Stay tuned – Stroud seems poised for much more.
Best gorgeous photo
The outstretched arms. The warm hugs. The sea of black and gold. The joyous expressions. When the Columbus Crew completed their breathtaking march to MLS Cup victory at Lower.com Field in December, Columbus Shipping Photo intern Clare Grant wisely aimed her camera at the north corner, home to the Crew’s most loyal fans. The resulting image captures the moment perfectly, perhaps best represented by the couple in the middle of the frame about to kiss. No one deserves this victory more than the fan base that rallied to save the team. And what a team it is now, with its visionary coach, talented players, a beautiful new stadium and an electrifying style of play. Go ahead and smooch, you glorious, rain-soaked true believers.
This story is from the Best of Columbus package in the July 2024 issue of Columbus Monthly Report.
