LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The NFCA announced its 2019 High School Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year. Five prestigious programs from their respective NFCA regions were chosen for the honor.
This year’s winners – Donovan Catholic High School (East), New Palestine High School (North), Academy at the Lakes (South), Louisville Male High School (South Central) and Artesia High School (West) – captured five state championships and won 143 games. Three programs finished 2019 ranked in the USA Today Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll, one posted an undefeated seasonand finished No. 1 in the poll, while three others won consecutive state titles, including a three-peat.
These schools are now eligible for the national award, which will be announced on August 23.
East Region
Donovan Catholic High School (Toms River, N.J.)
Head Coach –Deborah Schwartz
Assistant Coaches – Dawn Dziedzic, Corey Schwartz, Kathleen Sharp, Jordan Weed
Steered Donovan Catholic to a 30-2 mark, No. 1 state ranking and the No. 17 spot in the USA Today Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll … Under her watch, the Griffins won the class "B" South, South Jersey Parochial A State and overall Parochial A State Championship… Capped off 2019 by defeating all group state champions and capturing the New Jersey Tournament of Champions.
North Region
New Palestine (Ind.) High School
Head Coach – Ed Marcum
Assistant Coaches – Alyssa Dillard, Michelle Hokl, Audrey East, Matt Hayden
Guided New Palestine to a 29-3 record and its third straight state championship… It was the first three-peat in Indiana High School softball history… Finished No. 11 in the USA Today Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll.
South Region – Academy at the Lakes (Land O’ Lakes, Fla.)
Head Coach – Diane Stephenson
Assistant Coaches - John Counts, Robbie Blankenship, Jordyn Counts
Back-to-back FHSAA 2A state champions… Finished 2019 with a 19-7 record… First Pasco County program and just the third area school to win consecutive state titles… 10 of 19 victories came via the run rule… 22-1 against 2A programs the last two seasons, outscoring those opponents, 231-13.
South Central Region
Louisville (Ky.) Male High School
Head Coach – Josh Bloomer
Assistant Coaches – Annie Gordon, Erika Downey, Ron Pence
Posted a 39-0 mark and won the 2019 KHSAA state championship… Finished No. 1 in the USA Today Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll… On their way to the title, the Bulldogs outscored their opponents 341-39 and scored the most runs in a single season by a Jefferson County Public School fastpitch program… Additionally, the season included the largest run differential per game, fewest runs allowed per game, and most runs scored per game for a KHSAA state champion since 2002.
West Region
Artesia (N.M.) High School
Head Coach – Sandra Pulido
Assistant Coaches – Casey Crandall, Monica Reyes, Kim Smith, Vanessa Lopez
Captured New Mexico’s 4A state title for the second straight year… Finished the season 26-4.
