The National High School Athletic Coaches Association named the 2025 NHSACA Coach of the Year Finalists from South ·¬ÇÑapp, featuring three West River coaches.
Rapid City Stevens girls cross country coach Jesse Coy, Rapid City Central wrestling coach Lance Pearson and St. Thomas More assistant coach Craig Nowotny. Nowotny was selected National High School Boys' Assistant Coach of the Year.
The other finalists are Jason Wagoner of Sioux Falls Jefferson High School in the sport of boys cross country; Misty Larson of Chester Area/Pierre High Schools in the sport of boys track and field; Rachelle DeBeer of Deubrook High School in the sport of girls track and field; Les Coin Sioux of Falls Lincoln High School in the sport of gymnastics (special sports); Pat Moller of Mitchell High School in the sport of tennis; Linda DeBoer of Miller High School in the sport of volleyball and Steph Daly of Aberdeen Central High School girls assistant coach.
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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 the State of South ·¬ÇÑapp athletes.
All finalists will be honored at the National Awards Banquet at the NHSACA 60th Annual Conference in Rapid City on Wednesday, June 25, at 5 p.m. at the Rapid City Ramkota Hotel located at 2111 N LaCrosse St. Athletic directors and coaches attend this annual event representing 19 sports from throughout the United States.
The National High School Athletic Coaches Association announced the upcoming induction of Arlin Likness of Yankton and Tom McGough of Miller into the NHSACA National Hall of Fame. This year’s induction ceremony for the Class of 2025 will take place at the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s National Convention at the Rapid City Ramkota Hotel at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24.
Likness and McGough were selected for this national honor by their state’s high school coaches’ association. This selection was based on longevity, service to high school athletics, honors, and other specific state criteria.
The National High School Athletic Coaches Association is the oldest coach’s association in the nation, formed by coaches, for coaches, and has honored coaches from across the nation with induction into the NHSACA National Hall of Fame since 1996. Likness and McGough will now be added to this illustrious list of coaches in honor of their outstanding careers.
