EAST PEORIA, Ill. —Whitefish track and field coach Derek Schulz was named the 2017 national boys track and field coach of the year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association at the group’s national convention on Wednesday.

Schulz, who has coached the Bulldogs track teams for the last 22 years, has led the boys to seven state titles, the last in 2013. He was one of eight finalists for the award from around the country. It is the 21st time since 1978 that a Montana coach has been given the honor in one of the 19 categories.

He was also nominated for the award in 2011 and 2014.

The coach of the year award, according to a press release, is based on longevity, service to high school athletics, honors, championship years and winning percentage.

“(The award) is all about everybody else, not about me, that’s for sure,” Schulz said. “(We’ve had) lots of great kids, great coaches. That’s kind of the way things go.”

“We’ve had a dozen or maybe even 20 kids that most programs would enjoy to have one or two of. It’s just been good fortune and good kids. We’ve had amazing event coaches over the years. They’re the ones that do the hard work.”

Polson softball coach Larry Smith and Glacier girls assistant track coach Jim Kola were also nominated.

Flathead boys track coach Dan Hodge won the award in 2013 and was at the ceremony to accept the honor for Schulz.

Schulz also joins Flathead’s Paul Joregenson, who won for girls cross country in 2010 and boys cross country in 2008; Whitefish’s Terry Nelson, who won for golf in 2006; and Flathead’s Joe D. McKay, who won for girls track in 2000.

“It’s cool to be part of that group of people,” Schulz said. “There’s a lot of people who are equally as committed and equally as caring as I am that never get that chance or opportunity. That’s why it’s all about the other people involved.”

In a separate ceremony on Tuesday, longtime Flathead coach Bill Epperly was formally inducted into the NHSACA Hall of Fame after 49 years of service in Montana.