LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Eight schools were selected by their peers as the 2025 ATEC/NFCA Spring High School Regional Coaching Staff of the Year honorees, the Association announced on Friday afternoon.
Representing the regions that compete in softball in the spring, Owyhee (Region III), Notre Dame (Region IV), Carrollton (Region V), Saint Thomas Aquinas (Region VI), Doral Academy (Region VII), Kenton Ridge (Region VIII), Marlboro (Region IX) and Avon (Region X) were chosen in a vote of NFCA member coaches in their respective region.
Those eight are now eligible — along with Nebraska’s Gretna (Region I) and Georgia’s Wesleyan (Region II), who earned regional accolades during 2024 Summer/Fall campaign — for the ATEC/NFCA High School National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced on Aug. 19.
To be eligible for Regional or National Coaching Staff of the Year recognition, a school’s head coach must be an NFCA member and nominated.
Regional Winners
Region III — Owyhee (Idaho)
Head Coach: John Carpenter
Assistant Coaches: Cal Fazzio, Katie Edwards, Dani McGrath and Kelly Gibbons
Owyhee completed the season 28-1 and was undefeated in conference play, winning its first-ever Idaho state 6A crown while making its fourth straight state championship appearance … The Storm finished the year ranked seventh in the NFCA Spring High School Top 25 Coaches Poll … Their pitching staff ERA of 1.47 and .371 batting average were both among the best in the entire country … The team featured nine college signees, including Idaho State commit McKenna Schab, one of three NFCA All-Region honorees. Pitcher Hailey Brennan will return in 2026.
Region IV — Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)
Head Coach: Justin Siegel
Assistant Coaches: Brian Luderer and Gaby De La Cerda
Notre Dame finished with a 25-6 record and went 8-0 in Mission League play … Beginning the season with six freshmen and only one college-committed student-athlete, the Knights managed to qualify as the final seed in Southern California's highest CIF division, Division 1, and beat nationally-ranked perennial powerhouse Orange Lutheran in the first round, followed by a home victory over El Segundo, before losing to nationally-ranked and eventual Division 1 runner-up El Modena, who they led 4-2 with one out in the seventh inning … Notre Dame broke 11 offensive school records, including home runs (46), RBI (267), runs (293), stolen bases (86), on-base percentage (.465), OPS (1.128), as well as several pitching records, led by All-CIF junior Aliyah Garcia, who went 16-4 … Seven players earned All-Mission League honors.
Region V — Carrollton (Ill.)
Head Coach: Travis Klingler
Assistant Coaches: Amelia Uhles, Dana Grafford and Stosha Coomer
Carrollton compiled a stellar 38-1 mark and outscored their opponents 431-59, including a 10-0 rout of LeRoy in the state championship game to deliver the program’s first state title … The Hawks outscored their opponents from the sectional final forward 25-7 and set school records for wins, home runs and runs scored. They also established multiple individual records.
Region VI — Saint Thomas Aquinas (Kan.)
Head Coach: Keith Hughes
Assistant Coaches: Jarrett Boeschen and Kerri Jennings
The Saints went 27-2, went and undefeated 14-0 in league play and captured the state 5A championship. … Saint Thomas Aquinas rallied from behind in two of its final three contests to win the state crown, including erasing a 7-2 deficit with a six-run fifth in the championship game against Spring Hill … Finished season on a 19-game win streak.
Region VII — Doral Academy (Fla.)
Head Coach: William Viruet
Assistant Coach: Kyle Santana
Perennial powerhouse Doral Academy won the state 6A title and was consistently ranked in the top 15 of the NFCA Spring High School Top 25 Coaches Poll, and among the first 10 for the final seven weeks, finishing 2025 in the No. 6 spot … The Firebirds won their first 17 contests, and suffered their lone loss of the season to fellow ranked squad and national power Orange Beach (Ala.) on April 5 … Doral Academy outscored its opponents 133-11 while winning their final 14 games.
Region VIII — Kenton Ridge (Ohio)
Head Coach: Sarah Schalnat
Assistant Coaches: RJ Trainer, Ed Foulk, Natalee Fyffe, Kevin Schalnat and Chris Beedy
Kenton Ridge went a perfect 32-0 and won the Ohio Division IV state championship … The Cougars collected 21 run-rule victories and 15 shutouts, while outscoring opponents 427-33 … The team was consistently ranked No. 1 in the Ohio Division IV Coaches Poll in Division IV and finished 25th in the MaxPreps final ranking.
Region IX — Marlboro (N.Y.)
Head Coach: Andrea Schoonmaker
Assistant Coach: Christina DeNatale
Played multiple schools that were larger, including AA and AAA teams … Had an undefeated regular season record of 17-0 and ended the season at 19-1 … Won fourth consecutive Class A sectional title and lost by one run in regional championship game against the team (Miller Place) that they beat in 2024 to win the state crown.
Region X — Avon (Conn.)
Head Coach: Michael Mihalek
Assistant Coach: Brianna Schlosser
The coaching staff’s dedication and transformative leadership has ignited a remarkable program turnaround, going from a winless season two years ago to a 15-win campaign in 2025 … Avon achieved more than twice as many victories as 2024 and secured qualifications for both their conference tournament and the Connecticut state Class L tournament.
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