Karl Koonce
Lake Hamilton High School
Impact Statement
“I enjoy trying to coach my kids and give them the wonderful experience I had.” -Karl Koonce
Biography
After over four decades of coaching track and field and cross country at Lake Hamilton, Koonce is retiring. During his 46 years as a head coach, Koonce has led the school to 29 state championships and 45 state runner-up finishes. Koonce has coached 12 All Americans in Track and Field.
Koonce has been named Arkansas Coach of the Year 18 times. He’s also been a five-time Section Coach of the Year for Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado, plus National Coach of the Year for Boys Track in 2009. He was the US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association State Cross Country Coach of the Year last year.
Koonce is the first Arkansas coach to be named the NHSCA National Girls’ Track & Field Coach of the Year.
Koonce was honored in 2019 as the NFHS Coach of the Year. Additionally, he was inducted into the Arkansas Activities Association Hall of Fame. As an athlete himself he won the AIC championship in the mile run and was a 1973 NAIA finalist in the event. He was inducted into the Henderson State University Hall of Fame in 2003.
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