LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Washington (Mo.) and Guthrie (Okla.) were selected by their peers as 2023-24 ATEC/NFCA Summer/Fall Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year, the Association announced on Wednesday afternoon.
Representing the two regions that compete in the Summer and Fall of 2023, Washington (Region I) and Guthrie (Region II), along with Regions III through X, who play in the spring of 2024, are eligible for the NFCA High School National Coaching Staff of the Year award.
To be eligible, the program’s head coach must be a member and nominated. Winners were voted by member head coaches in each of their respective regions.
Regional Winners
Region I – Washington (Mo.)
Head Coach: Grant Young
Assistant Coaches: Tim Zumsteg, Logan Schamerloh, Craig Vonder Haar
Captured the 2023 Class 4 state championship and posted a 37-1-1 overall record … Undefeated against all Missouri teams, which included triumphs over Class 3 & 5 state titlists Fatima and Howell, respectively … Finished ranked No. 3 nationally in the final NFCA Summer/Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll … Four student-athletes earned NFCA All-Region honors, 11 captured All-District nods and six (four on first team) were named All-State … Outscored the opposition 73-2 over six games in the MSHSAA playoffs, not allowing an earned run and registering an OPS of 1.300.
Region II – Guthrie (Okla.)
Head Coach: Booker Blakley
Assistant Coach: Kara Tarrant
Steered Guthrie to a Class 5A state runner-up finish, making its first-ever appearance in a state championship game … Captured the 5A-1 district title and finished the 2023 campaign with a 27-7 record against the two largest classes in Oklahoma … Posted six wins against state tournament teams.
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