The National Fastpitch Coaches Association has named Maureen Fritz, Megan Swanson and Sue Poffenroth of Keller High School (Keller, Texas) as the 2003 national winners of the Speedline High School Coaching Staff of the Year award.
Fritz and her staff guided Keller to the Texas Class 5A state championship by defeating three nationally-ranked teams in the playoffs. Led by state tournament MVP Christina Gwyn, the Indians defeated defending champion Bryan 6-1 in the title game to finish the season 31-5 and claim the school's first-ever athletic state championship. "We are extremely excited to have Coach Mo and her staff," said Keller High School principal Jamie Wilson. "She really sets an example for what coaching is all about. She coaches the entire student-athlete, both on and off the field. She forges a relationship with her athletes and their parents that is a key factor in her success." Keller, which finished No. 3 in the final USA Today/NFCA High School Top 25, was also the reciepient of the South Central regional award. Other Speedline top regional staffs are as follows: North Region Rita Menke and her staff at Belleville East High School (Belleville, Ill.) won its third Illinois Class AA state championship. They finished 34-6 on the season. South Region Bob Diez led Tampa Chamberlain High School to the Florida 5A title, finishing 28-5 on the season. East Region Jeff Horohonich led Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township, N.J.) to the Class A title among New Jersey Parochial schools. Horohonich is now the coach at St. Peter's (N.J.) College. West Region Rob Weil and his staff at Pacifica High School (Garden Grove, Calif.) won the Division III and overall state titles in California, finishing 31-2 and No. 2 in the final USA Today/NFCA High School Top 25.
