Mitchell's Thill, Winner's Drake up for coach of year awards

SIOUX FALLS — The National High School Athletic Coaches Association has named the 2012 NHSACA coach of the year finalists from South Dakota.

To be considered for this award a nominee has been determined to have outstanding coaching longevity and win-loss record, championship years, awards received and service to the coaching profession and to the athletes of the State of South Dakota.

As a finalist each individual will be honored at the national awards banquet to be held at the NHSACA 47th Annual Conference in Fargo, N.D., on July 25, at the Holiday Inn. This annual event is attended by athletic directors and coaches in 18 sports from throughout the United States.

The 2012 Coach of the Year finalists from South Dakota are: Arlin Likness, Yankton High School in the sport of football; Jim Drake, Winner High School in the sport of boys’ basketball; Cal Schubert, Sisseton High School in the sport of girls’ basketball; Deb Thill, Mitchell High School in the sport of volleyball; Bob Hirsch, Watertown High School in the sport of wrestling; Terry Dosch, Aberdeen Roncalli High School in the sport of boys’ track and field; Bob Bennett, Garretson High School in the sport of girls’ track & field; Chuck Seurer, Hoven High School in the sport of girls’ cross country; Jim Sorensen, Beresford High School in the sport of golf; Jason Olson, Rapid City Stevens High School in the sport of tennis; Lynn Gudmundson, Deuel High School in Special Sports-Gymnastics; Virg Polak, Watertown High School assistant in boys’ sports; Tom Prendergast, Sisseton High School assistant in girls’ sports; and Jim Dorman, Sioux Falls Lincoln High School Athletic Director.

Chris Dummermuth of Sioux Falls and Gale Lundberg of Clear Lake will be inducted into the NHSACA Hall of Fame at a noon luncheon on July 24 at the Holiday Inn in Fargo.

—From a South Dakota High School Coaches’ Association news release.

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