Ivanna Fritz, an assistant speech and debate coach at Glacier High school, recently was named Class AA Assistant Coach of the Year.

When her name was announced at the Montana Forensic Educators Association and Montana High School Association Hall of Fame reception March 15, it was a moment years in the making.

“I was shocked,” Fritz said. “I have been coaching for 17 years in Montana and been nominated almost a dozen times yet never selected.”

Fritz became involved in speech and debate when she volunteered at a local high school as part of her college education degree requirements. Her coaching career began in Minnesota in 1993.

Since then, she has coached 11 state champion teams — eight at Flathead High School and three at Glacier. She also has coached 37 individual national qualifiers and state champions in her career. In 2007, she coached a national champion and runner-up in impromptu speaking.

Each year, events, student squads and responsibilities are assigned among coaches. Primarily a debate coach, Fritz this year coached students competing in Lincoln-Douglas debate and legislative debate events.

“More than any event, I love to coach kids,” Fritz said. “They bring every ounce of passion with them and my job is to point it in the right direction.”

Glacier Head Coach Greg Adkins said her care for students and her competitive spirit made her an excellent choice for the award.

“It is about time,” Adkins said. “She has deserved this award for years, and I am thrilled that she was honored for her great work.”

Nominated by coaching peers across Montana, Fritz was named a finalist in January after helping lead the Glacier team to its third consecutive state championship title. After being nominated, each Class AA school took a final vote.

This was a unique year in that an assistant coach was recognized in addition to a head coach. Traditionally only one coach has been honored, according to Adkins, who serves as president of the Montana Forensic Educators Association. And the award will continue to evolve. Next year a Debate Coach of the Year and a Speech Coach of the Year will be recognized, he said.

Kerry Gruizenga of Billings Skyview was named Class AA Coach of the Year.

Finalists included Adkins and Flathead’s Shannon O’Donnell.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com