Manheim, PA - The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) proudly recognizes the outstanding dedication and achievements of coaches in the High School Coach of the Year Awards Program. Each year, the NWCA celebrates head coaches and assistant coaching staffs in boys and girls wrestling programs, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the sport.

The NWCA Scholastic Coach of the Year Awards Program commences at the state level, where winners advance as finalists for the Section Coach of the Year award. From there, these exceptional coaches vie for the prestigious National Coach of the Year award, representing their unparalleled coaching excellence on a national stage.

Mike Moyer, Executive Director of NWCA, expressed profound admiration for all coaches, acknowledging their unwavering commitment to their athletes and the sport of wrestling. "These coaches epitomize dedication and passion, investing countless hours mentoring and guiding their wrestlers. They inspire and shape the future of the sport, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of their athletes," stated Moyer.

The NWCA is thrilled to announce this year's national winners:

Head Coach of the Year: John Meyers

• School: Poway High School (Section 7, California)
• Accomplishments: Coach Meyers boasts 28 years of coaching experience, all at Poway High School. This season's team achieved remarkable success by winning the State Individual Championship, setting records for scoring with 290.5 pts and placers with 12. They had 13 state qualifiers and one state champion. The team also clinched the State Duals Championship. Coach Meyers also served as the 2024 USA Freestyle World Team Coach and has received numerous accolades, including the California Coach of the Year 2022-2024 and the USA California Coach in 2024. Also of note, his Girls Team captured the California Girls 3rd Place trophy.

Assistant Staff of the Year: Lowell High School (Michigan, Section 4)

• Staff: Matt Dodd, Josh Cooper, Kyle Slocum, Chris Ebrom, Cody Dennis, Brian Boudro, Max Pennock, Ross Pennock, Nate Vaught, and Tyler Greenop
• Accomplishments: The coaching staff at Lowell High School in Michigan enjoyed an outstanding performance throughout the season, with a 22-3 dual record while also sweeping the Conference, District, Regional, and State Championships. Their roster included 12 Individual State Qualifiers, 4 State Champions, and 8 All-State wrestlers. Lowell has secured 11 consecutive state championships and 12 state titles in the last 17 years and two runner-up finishes. In addition to their high school achievements, the coaching staff runs a youth club with 293 wrestlers with seven levels, each run by a varsity coach.

About the NWCA: The NWCA brings the wrestling coaching community together to advance the sport and ensure that current and future generations have the opportunity to engage in a safe and educationally-based wrestling experience. This is primarily done by strengthening existing programs, creating new programs, and providing coaches with progressive educational opportunities.