Manheim, Pa. - The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) proudly recognizes outstanding coaches and their remarkable achievements and dedication in the Scholastic Coach of the Year Awards Program. Each year, the NWCA honors head coaches and assistant coaching staffs in both boys and girls wrestling programs, highlighting their invaluable contributions to the sport.

The NWCA Scholastic Coach of the Year Awards Program begins with winners from each state, who then advance as finalists for the section Coach of the Year award. Finally, these exceptional coaches contend for the prestigious National Coach of the Year award, representing their coaching excellence.

NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer expressed his admiration for all coaches and their unwavering commitment to their athletes and the sport of wrestling, saying, "These coaches epitomize dedication and passion, investing countless hours in mentoring and guiding their wrestlers. They inspire and shape the future of the sport, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of their athletes."

The NWCA is delighted to announce this year's national winners:

Boys Head Coach: Blake Dutton of McAdory High School (Alabama | Sect. 3) Despite facing significant setbacks, including a series of injuries and the amputation of his second leg only two weeks prior to the state tournament, Coach Dutton's resilience and determination remained unyielding. His leadership led the McAdory Yellowjackets to victory, securing the Class 6A state wrestling championship with eight of his nine state qualifiers capturing medals, three of them finishing as state champions. Coach Dutton's indomitable spirit and dedication to his team are truly inspiring.

Girls Head Coach: Alex Conti, a highly experienced public school teacher and coach, has dedicated 28 years of his career to shaping the lives of young athletes. He began his journey in California, where he spent nine years before joining the Fredonia Central School in New York, where he has served as a teacher and coach for the past 19 years.

Throughout his tenure, Conti has amassed an impressive dual record of 341-73-3. This exceptional track record places him as one of the most successful coaches in Section VI history and positions him among the top coaches in the state. Under Conti's guidance, 22 of his wrestlers have secured placements in the state tournament. Eleven of these individuals advanced to the state finals with five becoming state champions, a testament to Conti's ability to nurture talent and inspire his athletes to reach their full potential.