Eight programs were honored by their peers as 2022-23 ATEC/NFCA High School Spring Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year, the Association announced on Friday afternoon.
Competing in the Spring of 2023 were the following schools representing the Regions III through X, respectively:
- Bingham High School (Utah)
- Northland Preparatory Academy (Ariz.)
- Antioch High School (Ill.)
- Lake Creek High School (Texas)
- Orange Beach High School (Ala.)
- Austintown Fitch High School (Ohio)
- South Western High School (Pa.)
These programs, along with Summer/Fall recipients Blue Springs South (Mo.) (Region I) and Piedmont (Okla.) (Region II), are now eligible for the NFCA High School National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced on August 22, 2023.
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.
Here’s a closer look at these honorees…
Regional Winners
Region III – Bingham High School (UT)
Head Coach: Mikki Jackson
Assistant Coaches: Natalie Harvey, Ron Mathison, Megan LeBeau, Brandon Dorney, Hanna Reid
Captured their first state title in 13 years … They posted an undefeated run through the tournament, which included three come-from-behind victories and two against a team that had their number over the past three-and-a-half years … Competed with the second toughest schedule in the state … All five defeats came against teams that finished as region or state champions … This dedicated and committed staff and team held things together as Head Coach Mikki Jackson dealt with the end stages of her father’s Alzheimers disease … His presence also exemplified the selfless commitment and fight that this coaching staff built into this team behind the scenes.
*****
Region IV – Northland Preparatory Academy (AZ)
Head Coach: Betty J. Dean
Assistant Coach: Justin Talley
Posted an 18-2 record and was the 2A state runners-up … First softball or baseball team from Flagstaff, Ariz. in over 30 year to reach the state championship game … Have collected three straight Region Conference titles … Ranked in the top eight amongst all 2A schools the last four years … Coach Betsy Dean has received the “Coach of the Year” honors for the Arizona 2A Central Region in four of the last eight years … Strong strength of schedule playing several 3A and 5A schools.
*****
Region V – Antioch High School (IL)
Head Coach: Anthony Rocco
Assistant Coaches: Hilary O’Donnell, Makaila House, Jennifer Gianos
Class 3A state runner-up … Registered a 34-2 mark and posted 19- and 15-game winning streaks in 2023 … Recorded wins over some of the top 4A schools in the state – St. Charles North (twice), Barrington, Warren, Linconway Central, Buffalo Grove, and Fremd … Title game defeat was in a 12-inning marathon versus Lemont .. Finished No. 2 in Illinois Coaches Poll and No. 1 in Daily Herald and Lake County News Sun polls.
*****
Region VI – Lake Creek High School (Texas)
Head Coach: Michelle Rochinski
Assistant Coaches: Shauna Hazlewood, Candyce Carter
Won its second consecutive Class 5A state title … Posted a 44-1 record in 2023, an 85-1 mark the last two years and an 138-4 record over the past four seasons … Ranked No. 1 in the final USA Today Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 for the second straight year … Has held the No. 1 spot in the NFCA’s poll since March 17, 2022.
*****
Region VII – Orange Beach High School (Ala.)
Head Coach: Shane Alexander
Assistant Coaches: Jody Hodo, Katelyn Boyd-Carson, David McLain, Sarah Hadder
After elevating from 2A to 4A, Orange Beach became the first school to capture a state championship the season after moving up two classifications … It marked the program’s third consecutive state title … Finished with a 46-10-1 mark, playing the fourth toughest schedule in Alabama … Outscored its opposition 49-9 in the state tournament.
Congratulations to Orange Beach High School softball team for being recognized by OB City Schools Board of Education for winning three state championships in a row! @cityorangebeach #threepeat pic.twitter.com/mAYIno5nht
— Chris Shaw (@PrinChrisShaw) August 11, 2023
*****
Region VIII – Austintown Fitch High School (Ohio)
Head Coach: Steven Ward
Assistant Coaches: Bob Jones, Becki Spalding, Nicole Fiddler, Jerry Bruff, Rich Raymer
Guided Fitch to its first Division I state title in program history and the school’s first team championship since 1931 … Recorded an undefeated 2023 season (22-0) … Ended the season ranked No. 1 in Ohio, No. 9 nationally in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll and 14th nationally on MaxPreps … Outscored opponents 57-7 during its postseason run.
*****
Region IX – South Western High School (Pa.)
Head Coach: Megan Pilarcik
Assistant Coaches: Bob Shields, Kerry Durika
Overcame several injuries and posted a 20-3 mark … Captured a division title and finished in the top eight of their district.
*****
Region X – Cushing Academy (Mass.)
Head Coach: Aaron Santos
Assistant Coach: Katie Ftorek
Collected back-to-back Western New England Private School Girls Softball Association (WNEPSGSBA) Class B championships in 2022 and 2023 … Has lost one game over the last three seasons (48-1), including an 18-1 mark in 2023 … Had a 41-game winning streak snapped in 2023 …
