Colman-Egan’s Julie Preheim and Sioux Falls Christian’s Luke Vander Leest were selected as South Dakota’s U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association coaches of the year. 

One boys coach and one girls coach from 50 states – as well as the District of Columbia – were honored for their successes during the spring of 2023.

State-by-state winners were selected based on their teams’ performances throughout the 2023 outdoor track & field season. Among the factors taken into consideration were team score and placement at the state championships, margin of victory, performance against rankings if available, individual championships, and how their teams’ performances stacked up to previous years (e.g. first title in school history, consecutive titles, etc.).

The Colman-Egan girls track and field team won its third straight Class B state championship this past season. The Sioux Falls Christian boys track and field team won its third consecutive Class A state title this past spring. 

Each honoree will receive a trophy from the USTFCCCA recognizing their achievements.

The winners from each state are in consideration for the association’s National High School Track & Field Coach of the Year award.