Manheim, PA - The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) proudly recognizes outstanding coaches and their remarkable achievements and dedication in the Scholastic Coach of the Year Awards Program. Each year, the NWCA honors head coaches and assistant coaching staffs in both boys and girls wrestling programs, highlighting their invaluable contributions to the sport.
The NWCA Scholastic Coach of the Year Awards Program begins with winners from each state, who then advance as finalists for the section Coach of the Year award. Finally, these exceptional coaches contend for the prestigious National Coach of the Year award, representing their coaching excellence.
NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer expressed his admiration for all coaches and their unwavering commitment to their athletes and the sport of wrestling, saying, "These coaches epitomize dedication and passion, investing countless hours in mentoring and guiding their wrestlers. They inspire and shape the future of the sport, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of their athletes."
The NWCA is delighted to announce this year's national winners:
Boys Head Coach: Blake Dutton of McAdory High School (Alabama | Sect. 3) Despite facing significant setbacks, including a series of injuries and the amputation of his second leg only two weeks prior to the state tournament, Coach Dutton's resilience and determination remained unyielding. His leadership led the McAdory Yellowjackets to victory, securing the Class 6A state wrestling championship with eight of his nine state qualifiers capturing medals, three of them finishing as state champions. Coach Dutton's indomitable spirit and dedication to his team are truly inspiring.
Girls Head Coach: Alex Conti, a highly experienced public school teacher and coach, has dedicated 28 years of his career to shaping the lives of young athletes. He began his journey in California, where he spent nine years before joining the Fredonia Central School in New York, where he has served as a teacher and coach for the past 19 years.
Throughout his tenure, Conti has amassed an impressive dual record of 341-73-3. This exceptional track record places him as one of the most successful coaches in Section VI history and positions him among the top coaches in the state. Under Conti's guidance, 22 of his wrestlers have secured placements in the state tournament. Eleven of these individuals advanced to the state finals with five becoming state champions, a testament to Conti's ability to nurture talent and inspire his athletes to reach their full potential.
Boys Assistant Coaching Staff: Millard South High School (Nebraska | Sect. 5) The Millard South Patriots' assistant coaching staff has played an instrumental role in the team's dominant performance, securing their fifth consecutive state championship while setting a new state scoring record of 260.5 points with 11 of 14 state qualifers placing, seven of them winning gold. The staff's tireless dedication and expertise have contributed to the team's exceptional record and the development of numerous state medalists.
Girls Assistant Coaching Staff: Baldwin High School (Kansas | Sect. 5) The Baldwin High School coaching staff has significantly impacted their program's growth and success capturing two team trophies (1st - 3rd) in the first four years of having a sactioned girls state tournament. Their commitment to building relationships, growing the sport, and creating unforgettable experiences for their athletes has established a strong foundation for Baldwin wrestling. Their achievements include numerous state placers, record-breaking performances, and a commitment to academic excellence. The staff is comprised of Jesse Austin, Levi Green, Sarah Johnson, Ben Morgenstern, and Bryce Shoemaker.
About NWCA The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the sport of wrestling. The NWCA strives to promote the values of wrestling, including character development, sportsmanship, and academic achievement. Through its various programs and initiatives, the NWCA provides educational resources, coaching development opportunities, and advocacy for the sport at all levels.
| Section |
State |
Coach |
School |
| 3 |
Alabama |
Blake Dutton |
McAdory High School |
| Section |
State |
Coach |
High School |
| 1 |
New York |
Alex Conti |
Fredonia High School |
| Section |
State |
School |
| 5 |
Nebraska |
Millard South High School |
| Section |
State |
School |
| 5 |
Kansas |
Baldwin High School |
| Section |
State |
Coach |
School |
| 1 |
New Jersey |
Dan Roy |
Southern Regional High School |
| 2 |
Maryland |
Anthony Winfield |
South Carroll High School |
| 3 |
Alabama |
Blake Dutton |
McAdory High School |
| 4 |
Iowa |
Brad Smith |
Lisbon High School |
| 5 |
Kansas |
Bill Ross |
Derby High School |
| 6 |
Texas |
Joe Sfafford |
Amarillo Tascosa High School |
| 7 |
California |
John Myers |
Poway High School |
| 8 |
Montana |
Jeremy Hernandez |
Billings West High School |
| Section |
State |
Coach |
High School |
| 1 |
New York |
Alex Conti |
Fredonia High School |
| 2 |
Ohio |
Vanessa Oswalt |
Olentangy Orange High School |
| 3 |
Tennessee |
Josh Bosken |
Cleveland High School |
| 4 |
Indiana |
Albert Skinner |
Southport High School |
| 5 |
Missouri |
Matt Neely |
Lebanon High School |
| 6 |
New Mexico |
Ahren Griego |
Volcano Vista High School |
| 7 |
California |
Adam Vasconcellos |
Pitman High School |
| 8 |
Alaska |
Neldon Gardner |
Sadota High School |
| Section |
State |
School |
| 1 |
New Jersey |
West Milford High School |
| 2 |
Pennsylvania |
Central Dauphin High School |
| 3 |
Georgia |
Rockmart High School |
| 4 |
Illinois |
Lyons Twp. High School |
| 5 |
Nebraska |
Millard South High School |
| 6 |
Texas |
Rockwall High School |
| 7 |
Arizona |
Canyon View High School |
| 8 |
Wyoming |
Sheridan High School |
| Section |
State |
School |
| 1 |
*No Entries* |
| 2 |
Maryland |
Winters Mill High School |
| 3 |
Georgia |
Carrolton High School |
| 4 |
Indiana |
Rochester High School |
| 5 |
Kansas |
Baldwin High School |
| 6 |
Texas |
Rockwall High School |
| 7 |
California |
Pitman High School |
| 8 |
Alaska |
Soldotna High School |
| Section |
State |
Coach |
School |
| Section 1 |
Massachusetts |
Manny Costa |
St. John's Prep |
| Section 1 |
New Hampshire |
Nicholas Eddy |
Salem |
| Section 1 |
New Jersey |
Dan Roy |
Southern Regional HS |
| Section 1 |
New York |
Bill Santoro |
Connetquot High School |
| Section 1 |
Vermont |
Cole Mason |
Otter Valley Union H.S. |
| Section 2 |
Kentucky |
Seth Livingston |
Paducah Tilghman |
| Section 2 |
Maryland |
Anthony Winfield |
South Carroll High School |
| Section 2 |
Ohio |
Scott Burnett |
Perrysburg High School |
| Section 2 |
Pennsylvania |
Jeff Sweigard |
Central Dauphin |
| Section 2 |
Virginia |
Scott Fike |
Staunton River High School |
| Section 2 |
West Virginia |
Matthew Osborne |
Woodrow Wilson |
| Section 3 |
Alabama |
Blake Dutton |
McAdory High School |
| Section 3 |
Florida |
Victor Balmaceda |
South Dade Senior High |
| Section 3 |
Georgia |
Jess Wilder |
Camden County High School |
| Section 3 |
Louisiana |
Brandon Surrency |
Archbishop Shaw |
| Section 3 |
Mississippi |
David Sutherland |
Vancleave High School |
| Section 3 |
North Carolina |
Eddy Clark |
Newton Conover |
| Section 3 |
South Carolina |
Chris Brock |
Fort Mill High School |
| Section 3 |
Tennessee |
Shannon Sayne |
Knox Halls High School |
| Section 4 |
Illinois |
Dale Eggert |
Libertyville HS |
| Section 4 |
Indiana |
Joe Litherland |
Tell City |
| Section 4 |
Iowa |
Brad Smith |
Lisbon High School |
| Section 4 |
Michigan |
Mitch Hancock |
Detroit Catholic Central High School |
| Section 4 |
Wisconsin |
Jeff Matczak |
Kaukauna High School |
| Section 4 |
Wisconsin |
Jeff Matczak |
Kaukauna High School |
| Section 5 |
Kansas |
Bill Ross |
Derby High School |
| Section 5 |
Minnesota |
Tim Haneberg |
Hastings High |
| Section 5 |
Missouri |
Matthew Mitchell |
Hillsboro High School |
| Section 5 |
Nebraska |
Nathan Olson |
Millard South High School |
| Section 5 |
North Dakota |
Ryan Mitchell |
Rolla High School |
| Section 5 |
South Dakota |
Charles Welch |
Watertown High School |
| Section 6 |
Arkansas |
Anthony Moats |
Pottsville |
| Section 6 |
Colorado |
Matt Brown |
Wray |
| Section 6 |
New Mexico |
Ahren Griego |
Volcano Vista HS |
| Section 6 |
Oklahoma |
Curt Hodges |
Carl Albert High School |
| Section 6 |
Texas |
Joseph Stafford |
Amarillo Tascosa |
| Section 7 |
Arizona |
Paul Vasquez |
Sahuarita High School |
| Section 7 |
California |
John Myers |
Poway High school |
| Section 7 |
Hawaii |
Sean Salter |
Kapolei HS |
| Section 7 |
Nevada |
Craig Rieger |
Pahrump Valley High School |
| Section 8 |
Alaska |
Randy Hanson |
South Anchorage High School |
| Section 8 |
Montana |
Jeremy Hernandez |
Billings West |
| Section 8 |
Virginia |
Phil McLean |
Mead High School |
| Section 8 |
Washington |
Phil McLean |
Mead High School |
| Section 8 |
Wyoming |
Tyson Shatto |
Sheridan High School |
| Section |
State |
Coach |
School |
| Section 1 |
Massachusetts |
Armando Ramos |
Agawam |
| Section 1 |
New Hampshire |
Peter Runez |
Keene High School |
| Section 1 |
New Jersey |
Joe Lemke |
Jackson Memorial HS |
| Section 1 |
New York |
Alex Conti |
Fredonia Central School District |
| Section 2 |
Kentucky |
Scotty Teater |
Tates Creek High School |
| Section 2 |
Maryland |
David Stricker |
Queen Anne's County High School |
| Section 2 |
Ohio |
Vanessa Oswalt |
Olentangy Orange HS |
| Section 2 |
Virginia |
Alexander Csontos |
Culpeper County HS |
| Section 3 |
Alabama |
Ronnie Watson |
Sparkman High School |
| Section 3 |
Florida |
Mike Fries |
Matanzas High School |
| Section 3 |
Georgia |
Allen Newton |
Carrollton High School |
| Section 3 |
North Carolina |
Chase Holleman |
Havelock High School |
| Section 3 |
Tennessee |
Josh Bosken |
Cleveland High School |
| Section 4 |
Illinois |
Liz Short |
Joliet Central High School |
| Section 4 |
Indiana |
Albert Skinner |
Southport High School |
| Section 4 |
Michigan |
Jaime |
Frankfort |
| Section 5 |
Kansas |
Carlos Prieto |
Garden City High School |
| Section 5 |
Minnesota |
Dan Lefebvre |
STMA High School |
| Section 5 |
Missouri |
Matt Neely |
Lebanon High School |
| Section 5 |
Nebraska |
Evan Bohnet |
South Sioux City High School |
| Section 5 |
North Dakota |
Baron Blanchard |
Bismarck Century High School |
| Section 5 |
South Dakota |
Jeremy Ask |
Canton High School |
| Section 6 |
New Mexico |
Ahren Griego |
Volcano Vista HS |
| Section 7 |
Arizona |
Davy Miller |
Liberty High School |
| Section 7 |
California |
Adam Vasconcellos |
Pitman |
| Section 7 |
Texas |
Jessica Fresh |
Northwest High School |
| Section 7 |
Utah |
Patrick Sharp |
Uintah High School |
| Section 8 |
Alaska |
Neldon Gardner |
Soldotna High School |
| Section 8 |
Washington |
Windy Lovejoy |
Wahluke High School |
| Section 8 |
Washington |
Windy Lovejoy |
Wahluke High School |
| Section 8 |
Wyoming |
Kendell Foreman |
Star Valley HS |
| Section |
State |
School |
| Section 1 |
Massachusetts |
Brockton High School |
| Section 1 |
New Hampshire |
Pinkerton Academy |
| Section 1 |
New Jersey |
West Milford High School |
| Section 1 |
New York |
Northport High School |
| Section 1 |
Vermont |
Essex High School |
| Section 2 |
Kentucky |
Paducah Tilghman |
| Section 2 |
Maryland |
South River High School |
| Section 2 |
Ohio |
Archbold |
| Section 2 |
Pennsylvania |
Central Dauphin High School |
| Section 2 |
Virginia |
Riverbend High School |
| Section 2 |
West Virginia |
Fairmont Senior High School |
| Section 3 |
Alabama |
McAdory |
| Section 3 |
Florida |
South Dade Senior High School |
| Section 3 |
Georgia |
Rockmart High School |
| Section 3 |
Louisiana |
Jesuit High School |
| Section 3 |
North Carolina |
Newton Conover |
| Section 3 |
Tennessee |
Father Ryan |
| Section 4 |
Illinois |
Lyons Township High School |
| Section 4 |
Indiana |
Hobart High School |
| Section 4 |
Wisconsin |
Marshfield High School |
| Section 5 |
Kansas |
Derby High School |
| Section 5 |
Minnesota |
Caledonia High School |
| Section 5 |
Missouri |
Hillsboro High School |
| Section 5 |
Nebraska |
Millard South High School |
| Section 5 |
South Dakota |
Watertown High School |
| Section 6 |
Arkansas |
Van Buren |
| Section 6 |
Colorado |
Eaglecrest High School |
| Section 6 |
New Mexico |
Belen Eagles |
| Section 6 |
Oklahoma |
Bixby High School |
| Section 6 |
Texas |
Rockwall High School |
| Section 7 |
Arizona |
Canyon View HS |
| Section 7 |
California |
Poway High School |
| Section 7 |
Hawaii |
Kamehameha |
| Section 7 |
Nevada |
Shadow Ridge High School |
| Section 8 |
Alaska |
South Anchorage High School |
| Section 8 |
Washington |
Orting High School |
| Section 8 |
Wyoming |
Sheridan High School |
| Section |
State |
School |
| Section 2 |
Kentucky |
Harrison County High School |
| Section 2 |
Maryland |
Winters Mill High School |
| Section 2 |
Ohio |
Marysville High School |
| Section 3 |
Alabama |
Weaver High School |
| Section 3 |
Florida |
Matanzas High School |
| Section 3 |
Georgia |
Carrollton High School |
| Section 3 |
North Carolina |
Lumberton High School |
| Section 3 |
Tennessee |
Northwest High School |
| Section 4 |
Illinois |
Minooka Community High School |
| Section 4 |
Indiana |
Rochester High School |
| Section 4 |
Michigan |
Holt High School |
| Section 5 |
Kansas |
Baldwin High School |
| Section 5 |
Minnesota |
Hastings High School |
| Section 5 |
Missouri |
Lebanon High School |
| Section 5 |
Nebraska |
Papillion LaVista High School |
| Section 5 |
North Dakota |
Bismarck High School |
| Section 5 |
South Dakota |
Canton High School |
| Section 6 |
Texas |
Rock Hill High School |
| Section 7 |
Arizona |
Casteel High School |
| Section 7 |
California |
Marina High School |
| Section 7 |
California |
Pitman High School |
| Section 7 |
Utah |
Westlake High School |
| Section 8 |
Alaska |
Soldotna High School |
| Section 8 |
Washington |
Washougal High School |
| Section 8 |
Wyoming |
Star Valley High School |
