Mr. Nick Lovas, boys head track and field coach and assistant boys cross country coach, was named the Minn. boys track and field coach of the year by the The United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association (USTFCCCA) in Minn.

“I was completely shocked and honored [to win this award] because there are so many other coaches involved than just the head coach. I was very happy for the assistant coaches because of all their contributions across all six events,” Lovas said.

The coach of the year award is voted on by members of the USTFCCCA who are also college coaches. They voted on a girls coach and a boys coach, Lovas winning the boys’ title.

Lovas began his coaching career in 2007 as the jumps head coach. In 2009, he was promoted to head girls coach and four years later switched to be the boys head track and field coach.

“I have really enjoyed coaching both [boys and girls] teams. The girls were emotional, so it was really fun to celebrate success [with them]. I will never forget those seasons,” Lovas said.

Lovas has now been the boys head coach for two years.

“For the boys, we had a mission to make history this last season because we had never won a championship,” Lovas said.

The boys track and field team won the 2014 state meet with a score of 70 points, ahead of the competition by a full 13 points.

“With last season’s championship, I was extremely happy for Coach Harris and Coach Rovn because they have coached these boys teams for decades without winning one. It was really fun to see that they could be a part of this school’s historic day,” Lovas said.

Lovas is glad to have a talented and diverse team, and is looking forward to seeing what is in store for the boys team next year.

“I’m excited to see the athletes who come out and make a difference,” Lovas said. “The fun thing about track is an athlete of any type can come out and be a part of a track team. You don’t have to be a certain weight, height, or body type; in track and field you can come out and make a difference right away.”

In anticipating future years, Lovas is excited to see how new students impact the team.

“I look forward to [meeting] the kids I don’t even know who are walking these halls and have never done track before. They are going to make our team better because the chemistry they bring to our camaraderie,” Lovas said.

Lovas’s track and field captains for the upcoming season feel very confident in him, including Austin Nash, senior captain.

“[Lovas] knows what he is doing when it comes to track; it impresses me immensely how he knows all about every event and coaches it himself,” Nash said. “Lovas doesn’t only get to know his athletes’ abilities- he gets to know them as a person. He is funny, kind, and motivational for everyone.”

Lovas aspires to be a role model for students on and off the track.

“I have found success as a coach in nurturing relationships with athletes. Having a good relationship with my athletes off the track, in the school, and in the community makes a big difference,” Lovas said.