Ken Frank
Toms River South High School
Impact Statement
“You have to be able to adjust in life. You have to be able to handle adjustment and difficulties in life” – Ken Frank
Biography
This past season Ken Frank became the first high school baseball coach in New Jersey to pass the 800 win milestone.
Frank, who took over the reigns of the Toms River South baseball program in 1978, finished the 2014 season with a career record of 806-262-3 in 36 seasons. Ken’s brother Bill Frank (502-279-2), resigned at the end of the current school year after coaching in the same New Jersey community at Toms River East High School.
Together the Frank brothers have won a combined 1308 high school baseball games. Current Cincinnati Red Todd Frazier is Ken Frank’s most famous alum.
Since being honored Frank has continued to lead Toms River. He has amassed 894 career wins, making him the winningest coach in the state. His teams have won many titles over the years, 56 to be precise, that includes a Shore Conference-record of five NJSIAA group championships.
Records
Mater Dei High School
“I get on the freeway at Mission Viejo and I enjoy doing it and as long as I enjoy doing it, I’m gonna do it.” -Gary McKnight
Gary McKnight
Mater Dei High School
Impact Statement
“I get on the freeway at Mission Viejo and I enjoy doing it and as long as I enjoy doing it, I’m gonna do it.” -Gary McKnight
Biography
Coach McKnight, who has a .921 winning percentage in 32 seasons as the head coach at Mater Dei, led the Monarchs to their fourth straight California state championship this past season.
McKnight led Mater Dei to a perfect 35-0 record during the 2013-14 season, and now owns 995 overall victories, which puts him 13th on the all-time wins list, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.
McKnight’s teams have won 31 league titles, 22 Southern Section titles and 11 overall state titles. Each of his last ten teams have won 30 games or more.
Since being honored, McKnight has continued to add to his accolades. In December of 2014, McKnight notched his 1,000th career victory. As of February 28, 2020, he now boasts a career record of 1161-117. His records makes him the second winningest coach based on his record and his winning percentage.
Additionally, his teams have won 36 league titles in his 39 years. Mater Dei also claims 23 CIF-SS Championships and 11 State titles.
McKnight was honored as the 2014’s Morgan Wooten Award for Lifetime Achievement in Coaching High School Basketball by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He was nominated to be inducted in to this hall of fame in 2019.
Records
Professional Achievements
Allentown Central Catholic High School
Kopp is the first basketball coach in Pennsylvania to amass 1,000 career victories exclusively coaching girls.
Mike Kopp
Allentown Central Catholic High School
Impact Statement
Kopp is the first basketball coach in Pennsylvania to amass 1,000 career victories exclusively coaching girls.
Biography
Coach Kopp became the first girls’ basketball coach in Pennsylvania history to top the 900-win plateau this past season.
Kopp, who has led the Vikettes to five Pennsylvania state championships in 34 years at the school, led the school to a 23-5 record this past season. Kopp now owns 917 lifetime victories with an overall record of 843-190 at Allentown Central Catholic. Under Kopp, Allentown Central Catholic has reached the PIAA state tournament 29 times.
Not much has changed since Kopp was honored. He continues to lead the Vikettes to great things in the Lehigh Valley. On January 10, 2020, Kopp hit his 1,000th career victory. He’s the third coach in Pennsylvania to reach this threshold.
Kopp announced in February of 2022 that he will be retiring after 46 years. He is the winningest coach in basketball history in Pennsylvania, both girls and boys.
Articles
Records
Gig Harbor High School
Mark Wieczorek led the Gig Harbor Tides to the Nike Cross Nationals title in the most contested championship in United States history in 2013 as a 26 year old.
Mark Wieczorek
Gig Harbor High School
Impact Statement
Mark Wieczorek led the Gig Harbor Tides to the Nike Cross Nationals title in the most contested championship in United States history in 2013 as a 26 year old.
Biography
Mark Wieczorek led the Gig Harbor Tides to the Nike Cross Nationals title in the most contested championship in United States history in 2013.
Gig Harbor defeated eventual Indoor National Champion Christian Brothers Academy of New Jersey and eventual Postal National Champion Brentwood High School from Tennessee for the national championship at the NXN in 2013.
Wieczorek, who never competed in cross country in high school, took over the Gig Harbor program in 2011 and has built it into a national power in three short years. Wieczorek, who took-up competitive running while at Nazarene University, an NAIA school, ran for Team USA in the 4X800 World Relays in May 2014.
Wieczorek stepped away from coaching in 2016 to pursue another career path.
Records
Wayzata High School
“We try to read the stress level that kids are under outside of the sport, and we use that information when we plan workouts.” -Dave Emmans
Dave Emmans
Wayzata High School
Impact Statement
“We try to read the stress level that kids are under outside of the sport, and we use that information when we plan workouts.” -Dave Emmans
Biography
Dave Emmans was the leader of the Wayzata girls’ cross country team that dethroned seven-time defending national champions Fayetteville Manlius High School from New York.
Wayzata, which called itself “Team of Steel” while posing in Superman t-shirts last season, claimed the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) National Championship in 2013. Wayzata defeated Fayetteville Manlius 108-120 to cap a perfect season at the NXN.
Emmans, who has led Wayzata to back-to-back Minnesota 2A state championships, has been the program’s head coach for 22 years.
In 2018 Emmans was inducted into the Minnesota High School Cross Country Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame.
Professional Achievements
Lakeland High School
“It was kind of like the last hurrah. It’s always nice to be recognized, but that’s not why you do it.” -Tara Worley
Tara Worley
Lakeland High School
Impact Statement
“It was kind of like the last hurrah. It’s always nice to be recognized, but that’s not why you do it.” -Tara Worley
Biography
Coach Worley built Lakeland High School field hockey program into one of the best in the State of Virginia during her 15-years as head coach of the Lady Cavaliers.
Worley’s lifetime record stands at 250-46-3 with her 2010 squad winning Virginia’s Class AAA state title. In addition to the 2010 state title, Worley coached her girls to two regional championships, 13 regular season Southeastern District titles, 12 district titles and one conference championship.
Worley retired after the 2013 season to continue her higher education and spend more time with her family.
Records
Allen High School
Westerberg coached four teams to the coveted Texas State Championships over 12 seasons.
Tom Westerberg
Allen High School
Impact Statement
Westerberg coached four teams to the coveted Texas State Championships over 12 seasons.
Biography
Coach Westerberg led the Allen Eagles to the school’s second straight Texas Class 5A, Division I title in 2013.
In 10 years as the leader of the Eagles, Westerberg’s teams have won three state titles in Texas’ biggest classification. Allen’s overall record under Westerberg is 118-16 with eight of his ten seasons as head coach ending with at least ten victories.
By finishing a perfect 16-0 in 2013, Allen will bring a 27-game win streak into the 2014 season. With the return of several key players, including all-state quarterback Kyler Murray, the Allen Eagles are expected to challenge for a third straight state title.
After being honored, Westerberg led Allen to another state title in 2014 in the newly created 6A division. Subsequently, he left his position after the season by becoming the Athletic Director and Head Coach at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas. Most recently, Westerberg led the team to a district championships in the 2019-2020 season.
Records
Spring Lake High School
“They want to learn how to play golf. Golf is a sport of a lifetime.” -George Bitner
George Bitner
Spring Lake High School
Impact Statement
“They want to learn how to play golf. Golf is a sport of a lifetime.” -George Bitner
Biography
This past school year saw George Bitner coach his 50th year of high school golf. Bitner, who is 77 years old and showing no signs of wanting to retire, started the Spring Lake boys’ golf team in 1969 and the girls program in 1980. Along the way, he has coached both teams to over 1,000 victories.
During an interview in the spring, Bitner figured that he had been behind the wheel of the school van for about 115,000 miles. In that same interview, he said he still has about five years left in him and the 2014 girls’ team is expected to challenge for a state team title after finishing third in Michigan’s Division 3 finals last year.
Bitner continued to lead Spring Lake’s boys’ and girls’ golf teams. He led the girls’ team to three consecutive D3 State Championships from 2014-2016. Bitner stepped down after 88 combined seasons after the 2016 season.
Bitner was inducted into the Spring Lake High School Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural first class in 2018. He was also inducted into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame the same year. Additionally, Bitner was honored by the creation of the George Bitner Invitational. The first event was held at the Spring Lake Country Club in May of 2019.
Records
Professional Achievements
Notre Dame Academy
“These accolades should go to the kids, they’re the ones that sacrifice. This is a thrill. I’ll let the kids know. It wasn’t Dave G., it was them.” – Dave Gianferante
Dave Gianferante
Notre Dame Academy
Impact Statement
“These accolades should go to the kids, they’re the ones that sacrifice. This is a thrill. I’ll let the kids know. It wasn’t Dave G., it was them.” – Dave Gianferante
Biography
Dave Gianferante’s Notre Dame Academy team won the 2014 Massachusetts team title, which was its 12th title in the last 13 years.
Prior to finishing fourth during the 2013 season, Gianferante’s teams had won 11 straight state titles while going 212-6 in team play that included 10 undefeated seasons and a 188-match win streak, which is the longest ever in high school girls’ golf.
Gianferante is listed third by the National Federation of High School Association’s all-time girls’ golf wins list with a record of 241-11.
After being honored and departing Notre Dame Academy, Gianferante was hired as the head coach for both the men’s and women’s golf teams at Pfeiffer University, his alma mater.
Records
Professional Achievements
De Smet High School
“I wanted to help the young men grow into good friends, good parents and good citizens.” -Greg Vitello
Greg Vitello
De Smet High School
Impact Statement
“I wanted to help the young men grow into good friends, good parents and good citizens.” -Greg Vitello
Biography
Greg Vitello outlasted eight United States presidents while coaching 45-years at De Smet Jesuit High School.
During those four-plus decades, Vitello coached boys’ soccer, baseball, football, swimming and track & field. Vitello retires fourth on America’s all-time boys’ soccer wins list with 763 victories. His career record is 763-296-135 in soccer. Five of his players played on the U.S. National Soccer Teams.
In baseball he coached two future MLB players – 2003 American League batting champ Bill Mueller and Bob Keppel- over his 35 years.
Vitello retired at the end of the 2013-14 school year leaving a legacy in baseball and soccer behind. He has been inducted into the Missouri High School Soccer Coaches, Missouri High School Baseball Coaches, St. Louis Amateur Baseball, and the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame.
Records
Professional Achievements
Ramapo High School
Heenehan amassed 747 career victories over his 39 years at the helm of the Ramapo girls’ soccer team.
Paul Heenehan
Ramapo High School
Impact Statement
Heenehan amassed 747 career victories over his 39 years at the helm of the Ramapo girls’ soccer team.
Biography
America’s winningest girls’ high school soccer coach, Paul Heenehan and his Ramapo girls’ soccer team finished runner-up in New Jersey’s Group 3 classification in 2013.
In 30 years at the helm, Heenehan has led the school to 12 state championships and one national championship while amassing a record of 691 wins. With a lifetime record of 691-81-23, Heenehan will have a chance next year to become the first girls’ soccer coach in America to win 700 games.
Since being honored, Heenehan did reach that goal and surpassed it. He continued to coach Ramapo until his retirement after the 2016 season. After 39 years, he has amassed an impressive 747 victories over his career. That feat ranks him second in the nation for most victories.
Records
Professional Achievements
Alexander Central High School
Over the course of his career coaching high school and college, Sherrill currently has amassed over 900 victories.
Monte Sherrill
Alexander Central High School
Impact Statement
Over the course of his career coaching high school and college, Sherrill currently has amassed over 900 victories.
Biography
Monte Sherrill, who won his 700th career game in 2013, has made a habit out of winning.
This past year Sherrill led Alexander Central to its second straight North Carolina Class 4-A state title,while running its win streak to 67 straight. Counting his time at Central Cabarrus High School in the 90’s, Sherrill’s teams own a record of 724-59 for a winning percentage of .925.
Sherrill coached Alexander Central for another year before stepping down. He coached the team to a mind-boggling 26 conference titles in 26 years. He ended with a career record of 753-60, 10 State Championships and 3 State Runner-Up finishes.
Upon leaving Alexander Central, Sherrill was named the head coach at Pfeiffer University. After the first five years, he has a record of 158-37, with a .803 winning percentage. Most recently, Sherrill led the Falcons to their second ECAC Division III Championship.
Records
Professional Achievements
Skyline High School
“You know how a good program is doing if the coach is always talking about how they can get better.” -Joe Pereiera
Joe Pereira
Skyline High School
Impact Statement
“You know how a good program is doing if the coach is always talking about how they can get better.” -Joe Pereiera
Biography
The 2013-14 swim season let Joe Pereira add to his impressive coaching resume by leading Skyline boys’ and girls’ swim teams to Utah Class 4A state titles.
Since taking over at Skyline in 2005 Pereira’s boys’ teams have won four state crowns, while this year’s girls’ title was the seventh overall and third in a row. Prior to coming to the Skyline school, Pereira was the head coach at Cyprus High School, where he led the boys’ team to two Utah state championships in 2000 and 2001.
Pereira’s boys’ and girls’ teams won another three consecutive state championships after being honored. He has now coached 20 of the school’s 29 state championships.
Records
Professional Achievements
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
The Blanc brothers have made Santa Margarita into a state and national powerhouse.
Rich Blanc & Ron Blanc
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Impact Statement
The Blanc brothers have made Santa Margarita into a state and national powerhouse.
Biography
Coaching swimming is a family affair at Santa Margarita Catholic High School where Rich and Ron Blanc have shared the head coaching duties for more than a decade. The duo’s sister Renee Blanc is the girls’ JV head coach.
Together, Rich (17 years) and Ron (19 years) have built the Eagles’ swim programs into one of the best in Southern California and the country. This past year the girls’ team won its 15th straight Trinity League title, along with the CIF-SS Division 1 title. The two have coached 41 All-Americans and 226 All-CIF swimmers.
Despite being honored in 2014, the Blanc brothers continue their success at Santa Margarita. They have now captured 27 league titles. The girls’ teams have won six CIF-SS championships from 2014-2019. Unfortunately due to COVID-19, the 2020 event was canceled.
In 2017 they received the Outstanding Service Award from the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association for their contribution to the sport.
Records
Professional Achievements
Punahou School
“If I focused on the people, had a great purpose, and had a really good process, then that would equal the performance.” -Komori on his coaching philosophy
Rusty Komori
Punahou School
Impact Statement
“If I focused on the people, had a great purpose, and had a really good process, then that would equal the performance.” -Komori on his coaching philosophy
Biography
When it comes to tennis in Hawaii, Rusty Komori has built a program that is second to none, including on the mainland.
During the 2013-14 season Komori led the Punahou boys’ and girls’ tennis teams to their 12th straight state titles, with the boys winning their 21st straight overall under Komori. The Punahou boys have won 24 straight state titles, which is a national record. Overall, Punahou has won 46 boys’ state titles and 40 girls’ state titles.
After being honored, Komori led Punahou to one more state championship for his 22nd consecutive year before retiring in 2015.
Komori went on to write a book, “Beyond the Lines”. “It’s about leadership. It’s about achieving and sustaining success. It’s about finding greatness. It’s about improving your life and the lives of others,” he said. The book is focused on his four P’s -People, Purpose, Process and Performance.
Records
Personal Honors
Marist School
“They were all very dedicated to improving each and every year and although tennis is an individual sport, they thrived on the team concept.” -Father Kissel
Fr. Frank Kissel
Marist School
Impact Statement
“They were all very dedicated to improving each and every year and although tennis is an individual sport, they thrived on the team concept.” -Father Kissel
Biography
Father Frank Kissel has led Marist to be one of the best girls’ tennis programs in his 25-plus years as the program’s head coach.
This past year, Father Kissel led the Lady War Eagle team to its fourth state title in five years. From 1995-2006, Kissel led his teams to 12 straight state titles, which ranks as the third longest consecutive title streak in America. This year;s state championship isFather Kissel’s 18th. His overall record stands at 508-69.
Father Kissel led Marist for another season after being honored. He ended his career with 516 victories, although he still remains active and the biggest fan of the Lady War Eagles.
Records
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Alex Armenteros has built both the boys’ and girls’ programs at St. Thomas Aquinas into national powers.
Alex Armenteros
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Impact Statement
Alex Armenteros has built both the boys’ and girls’ programs at St. Thomas Aquinas into national powers.
Biography
Alex Armenteros has built both the boys’ and girls’ programs at St. Thomas Aquinas into national powers.
In 2013-14, both squads won their respective Florida Class 3A/4A state championships. This year’s boys’ title was the fourth in the last five years for the Raiders.
Prior to being honored, his boys’ teams won four additional state titles including three consecutive from 2010-2012.
Since being honored Armenteros has continued that success. His girls’ teams have gone on to claim another three state championships, including two straight in 2018 and 2019. The team took second in 2017. That brings his girls’ medals to five golds and two silvers.
Records
Long Beach Polytechnic High School
“We worked hard, we believed in the kids, and we loved the kids. We were blessed with some tremendous athletes.” -Don Norford
Don Norford
Long Beach Polytechnic High School
Impact Statement
“We worked hard, we believed in the kids, and we loved the kids. We were blessed with some tremendous athletes.” -Don Norford
Biography
Don Norford, who has been the head track and field coach at Long Beach Poly since 1976, went into retirement as a champion. Norford finished his coaching career leading the Poly Lady Jackrabbits to the school’s 13th California state title overall, and sixth in the last seven years.
Norford, who also coached the boys, won five overall boys’ CIF championships, giving him 18 overall California state championships. Norford has also been an assistant coach of the powerful Long Beach Poly football team, where he coached 45 former and current NFL players. He was an assistant coach on ten of the Jackrabbits’ 19 CIF football titles.
Overall throughout his career, he coached a staggering 18 CIF State Championship teams (13 girls’ and 5 boys’). That is a feat no one else in California can make. He also coached 61 individual champions. Additionally, he coached 150 individual CIF-SS champs and 25 CIF-SS team titles.
In 2018 Norford was inducted into the inaugural class of the NSAF National High School Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
Portland Central Catholic High School
“We have a high standard of accountability and responsibility. We have consistency from the ground level, the freshman level, on up.”
Rick Lorenz
Portland Central Catholic High School
Impact Statement
“We have a high standard of accountability and responsibility. We have consistency from the ground level, the freshman level, on up.”
Biography
Rick Lorenz is an Oregon Hall of Fame coach who has spent 39-years as a high school volleyball head coach, the last 27 as the leader of the Portland Central Catholic girls’ team. Prior to this he spent 11 years at St. Mary and one year at Lake Oswego.
During that time, Lorenz has won over 1,100 matches. This past season, PCC finished runner-up in Oregon’s 6A classification. Portland Central Catholic, under Lorenz, won three straight state titles from 2009 to 2011.
Overall, Lorenz has won five state titles at PCC, plus another five at cross-town rival St. Mary’s Academy.
Since being honored, Lorenz has continued to lead Central to success. His team won another state title in 2016. They also finished second in 2014, 2015, and 2017. In the fall of 2018, he hit a huge coaching milestone. With a victory over Gresham, Lorenz notched his 1,300th career win.
Going into the 2019 season Lorenz declared his intent to retire at the end after 44 years. He led PCC to the another state runner-up finish. His final career record is 1,343-204.
Lorenz has been honored for his accomplishments. In 2015, he was inducted into the National Federation of State High School Associations Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the CCHS Hall of Fame in 2017.
Records
Professional Achievements
Lowell High School
Dave Dean built Lowell into a state and national wrestling power that produced numerous state champs.
Dave Dean
Lowell High School
Impact Statement
Dave Dean built Lowell into a state and national wrestling power that produced numerous state champs.
Biography
In nine years, Dave Dean built Lowell into a state and national wrestling power that produced numerous state champs and student-athletes that have been awarded Division I scholarships.
Dean led the Red Arrows to the Michigan state team championship this past season and a #16 national ranking. The team title was Lowell’s second, with the first coming in 2009. Lowell finished runner-up in 2007, 2012 and 2013.
Coach Dean produced 12 individual state champs and 46 state placewinners. In addition to excellence on the mat, Dean’s teams were named academic all-state every year since 2007.
Dean resigned after the 2013-14 season to become the head of the Olympic Development Program at Cornell University. He was able to be in the same program as his son’s Gabe and Max. Gabe went on to be a two time NCAA National Champion and a four time All American. Max is entering his junior year. He placed 8th and 2nd respectively in his freshman and sophomore year.
Dean was an accomplished wrestler himself. While at Minnesota, he was a two time Big 10 Champ and a National Runner-Up. He spent 13 years coaching at Michigan State prior to his stint at Lowell.
He left Cornell to focus full time on his own organization, NUWAY.