Impact
Records
Ben Clymer
Faith Christian Academy
Impact Statement
“We’ve have been slowly building it over time. My family will always be a big part of all of this. It is about having faith in each other, and we’ll keep moving forward. ”
-Ben Clymer
Biography
Ben Clymer has made Faith Christian into a powerhouse over the past decade and the cream of the crop in Pennsylvania.
The Lions dominated the field in the 2023 and 2024 PIAA State Championships claiming both the Team State Title and the Individual team Title. In 2023, the Lions beat Ft. LeBoeuf 54-12 in the finals and knocked off Bishop McCort 46-18 in the finals of 2024.
At the Individual State Championships, Faith Christian won by 50 points in 2023 over Notre Dame-Green Pond. The Lions finished with 9 state medals including 2 champs. In 2024, they won by a 16 points over Bishop McCort and had 9 medalists including 2 champions and 4 finalists.
Clymer himself graduated from Northwestern Lehigh High School (PA) in 2008 and won a state title as a senior. He then continued his academic and athletic career at Hofstra University where he was multiple time NCAA Qualifier.
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Owasso High School
Tuner is the winningest coach in the state of Oklahoma and the 4th in the nation.
Tuner is the winningest coach in the state of Oklahoma and the 4th in the nation.
Larry Turner
Owasso High School
Impact Statement
Tuner is the winningest coach in the state of Oklahoma and the 4th in the nation.
Biography
Larry Turner has been the Head Coach at Owasso for the past 42 years. He enters his 43rd season going into the 2024-25 school year.
Over the course of his career, he has tallied a record 1,248-288. With his wins, he’s the leader for all-time wins in Oklahoma. In 2023, he was ranked 4th in the nation with all-times wins among active coaches. Turner’s teams have qualified for 24 State Championships over the last 27 years. Of the 24 appearances, 17 have made it to the state finals and 12 have claimed titles.
An alum, Turner was the starting catcher on Owasso’s first State Championship team in 1973. He entered the Owasso High School Hall of Fame in the inaugural class in 2010.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Calhoun High School
”Oh my goodness. There’s a Yellow Jacket right here on my heart. I mean there’s no way I’d even go anywhere else.” -Diane Smith
”Oh my goodness. There’s a Yellow Jacket right here on my heart. I mean there’s no way I’d even go anywhere else.” -Diane Smith
Diane Smith
Calhoun High School
Impact Statement
”Oh my goodness. There’s a Yellow Jacket right here on my heart. I mean there’s no way I’d even go anywhere else.” -Diane Smith
Biography
Smith has been the head coach at Calhoun for the past 38 years. She has led her teams to 4 State Championships, 3 State Runner-up finishes. Additionally, they’ve accumulated 15 Regional titles and 12 Runner-up finishes.
Smith is the winningest coach in Georgia with 820 victories to her name. She will coach one more season and retire in 2025. At that time, she will have coached as some capacity for 52 years for Calhoun City Schools. She also coached Track & Field for Calhoun High for 24 years.
A physical education teacher for the Calhoun Middle School, Smith also coached the MS Basketball team for 26 years and held 799 victories. She also coached the CMS softball team for three years.
She has been honored to coach in North/South All-Star Game twice. She also coach the Georgia Tennessee All-Star Game three times. She’s been honored with multiple coach of the year awards throughout the years.
Smith is also an alum of Calhoun High School where she was a four sport athlete. She was the first student-athlete to receive a scholarship where she attended Berry College. At Berry, she played both basketball and volleyball.
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Hoover High School
Shaffer boast over 1,000 wins over his 40 year career.
Shaffer boast over 1,000 wins over his 40 year career.
Ryan Shaffer
Hoover High School
Impact Statement
Shaffer boast over 1,000 wins over his 40 year career.
Biography
Coach Shaffer has began his coaching career in 1988. He was the Girls Coach at St. Thomas Aquinas until 1999. He left with a record of 205-27. He did a stint at Malone University for six years. He led individuals to the NAIA Championships.
Since taking over at Hoover 14 years ago, Shaffer has coached the boys and girls team to record of 493-80. He has an overall record of 1,045-175.
He has led teams to multiple state tournament place finishes. He was named the NFHS Ohio Boys Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2022. He has been either the Boys or Girls Federal League Coach of the Year 20 times Stark County Coaches Association and/or Stark County Tennis Coaches Association Coach of the Year 31 times. He also was awarded the OHSAA Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award for Tennis in 2020.
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Professional Achievements
Delta High School
“One thing he does differently is he connects with every player he has. He cares for every person on the team, and he does not cut anyone.” -Tate Dishman, Asst. Coach
“One thing he does differently is he connects with every player he has. He cares for every person on the team, and he does not cut anyone.” -Tate Dishman, Asst. Coach
Tim Cleland
Delta High School
Impact Statement
“One thing he does differently is he connects with every player he has. He cares for every person on the team, and he does not cut anyone.” -Tate Dishman, Asst. Coach
Biography
Tim Cleland has set the bar and continues to raise it. He boasts 1,197 career wins entering his 64th season in the fall of 2024. He is one of three Indiana coaches that have reached the 1,000 win club; he is the only one actively coaching. He holds an 84% winning percentage.
Cleland has coaches the boys team for 34 years and 28 years as the girls coach. His teams have won 43 IHSAA regional titles. His Eagles teams have participated in the State Finals five times while the girls have seen action in six.
He has coached at least one All-State Singles, All-State Doubles or Academic All-State player from 1990 through 2024.In 2008, Cleland was inducted into the Indiana Tennis Hall of Fame.
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Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Canyon High School
Baca has one of the most impressive resume’s in Track & Field around the nation.
Baca has one of the most impressive resume’s in Track & Field around the nation.
Ray Baca
Canyon High School
Impact Statement
Baca has one of the most impressive resume’s in Track & Field around the nation.
Biography
Ray Baca has coached 26 years as the head coach of the Girls Cross Country and Track & Field teams. He returned to Canyon High School, his alma mater, in the fall of 2010.
Over his career, he’s coached 79 Individual State Qualifiers and 26 State Team Qualifiers. He’s 2 Individual State Champions and 6 State Championship Teams. He’s also coached 2 individual Sate Record Holders.
On the Track and Field side, he’s coached 105 State Qualifiers and 29 Individual State Championships. He’s also led three teams to State Gold and 5 All-Americans.
His accolades include being named TGCA Cross Country Coach of the Year six times and Track & Field Coach of the Year twice. He is also honored as the Texas Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame Coach of the Year three times for Track and once for Cross Country.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Southwest Dekalb High School
Mullen led SW Dekalb to back to back State Championship Teams.
Mullen led SW Dekalb to back to back State Championship Teams.
Bob Mullen
Southwest Dekalb High School
Impact Statement
Mullen led SW Dekalb to back to back State Championship Teams.
Biography
Bob Mullen has led Southwest Dekalb’s Track and Field team to success. Most recently, SW Dekalb won the 2023 GHSA State Championships and set three new records. The Panther’s 4×400 relay team won their three straight title. The Panthers were also State Champions in 2022. They were the Triple Crown Winner by taking the County’s. Regions and State titles.
Coach Mullen was named the GATFXCCAA Relays Coach of the Year in 2022. In 2023, Mullen was the Coach of the Year by GATFXCCAA.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Edina High School
“I’ve found that the more fun [soccer] is, the easier it is to improve.” -Katie Aafedt
“I’ve found that the more fun [soccer] is, the easier it is to improve.” -Katie Aafedt
Katie Aafedt
Edina High School
Impact Statement
“I’ve found that the more fun [soccer] is, the easier it is to improve.” -Katie Aafedt
Biography
Coach Aafedt led Edina to a perfect season with a 22-0 record. They were Conference, Section and AAA State Champions in 2023. The graduating class of 2024 had a cumulative GPA of 3.82. Aafedt’s ladies excelled on the field and in the classroom.
She was named the United Soccer Coaches Region Coach of the Year (WI, MN, NE, ND, SD, and IL). She was also the Sectional Coach of the Year.
After 11 seasons at the helm, Aafedt announced after the season she would be stepping down but not leaving the sport entirely as she will become a college recruiting liaison role with the Minnesota Thunder Academy soccer club.
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Records
St. Benedict's Preparatory School
Wandling has made St. Benedict’s Prep into a powerhouse.
Wandling has made St. Benedict’s Prep into a powerhouse.
Jim Wandling
St. Benedict's Preparatory School
Impact Statement
Wandling has made St. Benedict’s Prep into a powerhouse.
Biography
Wandling has made St. Benedict’s into a powerhouse. This season, he finished with a 15-1 record and a state runner up finish. Prior to, the team has an incredible 102 game win streak from 2017 until 2023.
In 2022, they were deemed the United Soccer Coaches High School National Champions. This is a feat they have accomplished seven times previously. Additionally, they have won 11 State Prep titles since 2010 (2010-15, 2017-2022).
Wandling holds a career record of 231-9-4 over his 13 years at the helm of the Gray Bees.
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The Woodlands High School
“Process over Product & Team over Self” -Jeremy Wade
“Process over Product & Team over Self” -Jeremy Wade
Jeremy Wade
The Woodlands High School
Impact Statement
“Process over Product & Team over Self” -Jeremy Wade
Biography
Coach Wade took over at The Woodlands to kick off the 2017-18 season. Wade continued to lead the Highlanders to success in and out of the pool.
He has led his teams to four state titles over the course of six years. During this time, the Highlanders have also broken 16 of the 22 school records.
His team’s also excel in the class room. Last year, his girls team GPA was 3.758 and the boys had a 3.504.
As an athlete, Wade was an an All-American swimmer at both the High School and Collegiate levels. He swam collegiately at Henderson State University (HSU) where he broke both the 100 & 200 breaststroke records.
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Records
St. Xavier High School
“Believing and representing our core values—respect, excellence, culture and details—in everything we do. Our Core 4 drives the program and maintains the consistency of next-level-performance.” -Todd Larkin
“Believing and representing our core values—respect, excellence, culture and details—in everything we do. Our Core 4 drives the program and maintains the consistency of next-level-performance.” -Todd Larkin
Todd Larkin
St. Xavier High School
Impact Statement
“Believing and representing our core values—respect, excellence, culture and details—in everything we do. Our Core 4 drives the program and maintains the consistency of next-level-performance.” -Todd Larkin
Biography
Larkin took over the Tiger program in 2009. He now holds a dual meet record of 172-5 over his helm at St. Xavier. He has coached 42 Individual and 28 Relay State Champions. Additionally, he’s coached seven swimmers who have competed at the Olympic Trials.
This season, Larkin led the Tigers to their 37th consecutive State Title.
In 2021, the Tigers were deemed the National Champions for the first time according to the NISCA.
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Records
St. Augustine High School
“You know the most incredible thing about teaching? There’s so much power in what we do and say. It impacts the kids in ways we don’t always know. I just love watching the kids change, seeing them as adults with their own kids, and knowing that I had a small impact on who they are. It’s powerful.” -Paul Rodio
“You know the most incredible thing about teaching? There’s so much power in what we do and say. It impacts the kids in ways we don’t always know. I just love watching the kids change, seeing them as adults with their own kids, and knowing that I had a small impact on who they are. It’s powerful.” -Paul Rodio
Paul Rodio
St. Augustine High School
Impact Statement
“You know the most incredible thing about teaching? There’s so much power in what we do and say. It impacts the kids in ways we don’t always know. I just love watching the kids change, seeing them as adults with their own kids, and knowing that I had a small impact on who they are. It’s powerful.” -Paul Rodio
Biography
Coach Rodio, an alum – Class of 1970, got the nod to take over the Hermit’s program at the age of 24 and has created something truly special at St. Augustine over the duration of his career. The Hermits are considered a perennial title contender.
The year before Rodio took over the helm, the team was 2-20. His first season, the team finished 14-10. After four years, the team made it to the South Jersey Championships and year five, they won it.
Since that time, Rodio and the Hermits have won 15 South Jersey titles, 10 League titles, and five state titles in 1982, 1999, 2004, 2011, 2016.
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Records
Flower Mound High School
Cook has led Flower Mound to success on and off the course.
Cook has led Flower Mound to success on and off the course.
Andrew Cook
Flower Mound High School
Impact Statement
Cook has led Flower Mound to success on and off the course.
Biography
Cook has led the Jaguars of Flower Mound to success. He has coached four Texas Cross Country State Championships teams in the past four years (2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023) and one Track & Field Team State Champions.
He has coached eight Individual State Champions, including his daughter Natalie who graduated in 2022.
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Thompson High School
Mark Freeman has brought success to each program he’s been with on and off the field.
Mark Freeman has brought success to each program he’s been with on and off the field.
Mark Freeman
Thompson High School
Impact Statement
Mark Freeman has brought success to each program he’s been with on and off the field.
Biography
Mark Freeman has coached at different schools over the years but yielded the same results. He has amassed a career record of 255-56 and has ten state titles under his belt.
He led Bessemer Academy to four state titles in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007. He then left spent a year as the quarterback coach at Minor. In 2009, he was named head coach at Gulf Shores High School until he took over at Spanish Fork in 2011. That year, they won another state title. He and his team won another state title in 2013 and finished with a 15-0 record.
Freeman stepped down and accepted the head coach position at Thompson High School. Over the past five year, he led the Warriors to four straight championships. His record at Thompson is 83-18. He’s coached 24 All-State players.
Freeman was selected to coach of the All-Star football game seven consecutive seasons.
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Leavitt Area High School
Wanda Ward-MacLean was a legend on and off the field as she touched so many.
Wanda Ward-MacLean was a legend on and off the field as she touched so many.
Wanda Ward-MacLean
Leavitt Area High School
Impact Statement
Wanda Ward-MacLean was a legend on and off the field as she touched so many.
Biography
Ward-MacLean has led the Hornets and holds over 399 career victories and claimed an unofficial 400th win on June 14th over her 40 year tenure.
She coached 4 State Championship teams (1994, 1996, 2012, and 2021) and 8 State Final appearances. She has several student-athletes playing in the NCAA level, Divisions I, II, and III.
In June of 2023, she was inducted into the Maine Field Hockey Association Hall of Fame.
Sadly, in July of 2023, she succumbed to her battle with terminal metastatic breast cancer. She leaves a legacy in both Field Hockey and coach in Maine behind.
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Community Service
The Field Hockey Team does an annual fundraiser for the Dempsey Center for cancer research.
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School
“Play for each other not yourselves. One match, one set, one point at a time.” -Jen DeJarld
“Play for each other not yourselves. One match, one set, one point at a time.” -Jen DeJarld
Jen DeJarld
Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School
Impact Statement
“Play for each other not yourselves. One match, one set, one point at a time.” -Jen DeJarld
Biography
Coach DeJarld has been the head coach at Mother McAuley High School for the past 18 years. She join the program 10 years prior to that as an assistant coach.
Over her tenure, she has built the Mighty Macs into exactly that, a mighty strong program. She has led the team to three 4A State Championships and two Runner-Up finishes. Additionally, she’s coached three teams to a 3rd place finish.
She boasts an overall career record of 594-108 (.846% winning percentage).
In 2016 she was named National Coach of the Year by Prepvolleyball.com and the team was declared the National Champions by prepvb.com, Max Preps and USA Today.
Coach DeJarld’s adventure comes full circle as she graduated from Mother McAuley in 1987 where she played on two State Championship teams under Coach Nancy Pedersen. She then continued on the court at the University of Iowa.
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Connect
Detroit Central Catholic High School
Coach Magni has led his teams to success both on and off the course over the last 50 years.
Coach Magni has led his teams to success both on and off the course over the last 50 years.
Anthony Magni
Detroit Central Catholic High School
Impact Statement
Coach Magni has led his teams to success both on and off the course over the last 50 years.
Biography
Tony Magni has led an illustrious career coaching over the past 55 years and he’s not done yet.
After 50 year at the helm of the Detroit Central Catholic’s program, his teams have and continue to perform brilliantly. Since winning his first league title in 1960, he has collected many more titles both the team and Coach Magni himself.
His teams have won five state titles and over 30 league titles. He was the 2011 Michigan High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year.
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