Bob Raeth of Flathead High School is one of eight nationwide finalists for the National High School Coaches Association Boys Assistant Coach of the Year award.

The Montana Coaches Association made the announcement on Wednesday.

Raeth has been the boys shot put and discus coach for 26 years at FHS. This spring will mark his 45th year of coaching.

Raeth was also a finalist for this award in 2012.

“When you reflect back, it’s been such a privilege to encounter so many outstanding young men who participate in sports you believe in and love,” Raeth said.

“The amount of time, effort and courage they display has been most rewarding. For me, each year as I have gone along, it has been more meaningful. It’s a real blessing to be involve in education and athletics.”

Raeth was also an assistant wrestling coach at C.M. Russell High School and the head football coach at Whitefish High School for three years and at Flathead for 10 years.

Also up for that award are Bill Breen, Greenville Senior High School, Cedar Springs, Michigan; Howard Conrad, Benton Community Schools, Van Horne, Iowa; David Dolan, Rapid City Central High School, Rapid City, South Dakota; Chad Lyons, McCook High School, McCook, Nebraska; Kenny Roberts, Madison Central High School, Richmond, Kentucky; Tom Rowley, Natrona County High School, Casper, Wyoming; and Claudia Schoellkopf, Mandan High School, Mandan, North Dakota.

Seven Montana coaches and one athletic director have been selected a finalist.

The others are ...

Terry Thomas, Dillon, for football; Dustin Gordon, Fairfield, for girls basketball; Georgia Forney, Hardin, for swimming; Mark Garber, Belt/Centerville, for girls cross country; Ann Funk, Choteau, volleyball; Paul Bills, Ennis, girls assistant; and Dennis Murphy, athletic director of the year.

The winners will be announced at the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year awards banquet on June 20th in Rochester, Minnesota.