OUTSTANDING COACHES OF THE YEAR:

BOYS SWIMMING CRAIG CONNER Conway High School

Conway was the king of the Class 6A in swimming and diving in 2020. With Craig Conner’s leadership, the Wampus Cats went on to win their first state championship. The Wampus Cats had seven first-place finishes and two second-place finishers.

VOLLEYBALL CRAIG CUMMINGS Jonesboro High School

Craig Cummings led the Lady Hurricane to their second consecutive Class 6A state volleyball title. Jonesboro has now won three state titles in four years, and four in 10 seasons under Cummings. The Lady Hurricane finished 35-0 this season, registering just the third undefeated season in school history and the first since 2002.

GIRLS SWIMMING LIZ BRAUN Bentonville High School

First-year coach Liz Braun kept the winning tradition going at Bentonville, as the Lady Tigers won their sixth title since 2014 and the 21st overall. Bentonville had three first-place finishes, two second-place finishes and five third-place finishes.

BOYS WRESTLING JOHN KINCADE Greenwood High School

Greenwood has been an athletic machine for years. Now its wrestling program has added to the school’s state-championship trophy case. With John Kincade at the helm, the Bulldogs won their first state title in wrestling and had five individual state champions.

TENNIS BILL TOPICH Pulaski Academy

Pulaski Academy qualified 11 players to the overall boys and girls tennis tournaments. Coached by Bill Topich, the Bruins won Class 4A state championships in boys singles, boys doubles and girls doubles. Boys singles champion Foster Rogers won his third overall boys singles championship in a row.

GIRLS WRESTLING JERRY EVANS Searcy High School

This veteran wrestling coach added girls wrestling to his resume in 2019-20. Under Jerry Evans’ leadership, Searcy won the girls state title and picked up two individual championships.