James Kola of Glacier High School, Derek Schulz of Whitefish and Bob Owen and Larry Smith, both of Polson, are finalists for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year honors.

Kola is up for the assistant girls sports award along with five other individuals.

Schulz is one of eight finalists for boys track and field.

Owen and Smith are of one eight finalists in both wrestling and softball, respectively.

All finalists have been invited to the NHSACA annual convention in Grand Rapids, Mich., June 18-22.

The NHSACA honors coaches for their "lifetime achievements" in addition to outstanding season efforts.

There are 143 finalists in 18 sports, plus athletic director and assistant sports for boys and girls.

Montana's other finalists are: Douglas LeBrun, assistant boys sports; David Williams, athletic director; Randy Sheppard, girls cross country; Donald Schillinger, football; Laurie Stergar, soccer; Edward McNamee, swimming and diving; Michael Anderson, tennis; Theodore (Tad) Schye, girls track and field; and Iona Stookey, volleyball.

Paul Jorgensen, the longtime and very successful cross country coach at Flathead High School, was the NHSACAC Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2010. He received the Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year honor in 2008.

Also winning national honors last year was Jeff Carroll of Billings Senior for volleyball.

Montana's National High School

Athletic Coaches Association

Coach of the Year List

2009

Girls cross country - John Reynolds, Cut Bank

2008

Boys cross country - Paul Jorgensen, Flathead

2007

Boys cross country - Randy Sheppard, Browning

Wrestling - Jim Street, Butte

2006

Golf - Terry Nelson, Whitefish

2005-2003

None

2002

Tennis - Richard Lindgren, Montana

2001

Girls track and field - John C. Polich, Montana