Howard's Ruml, KWL's McCord selected as SDHSCA coaches of the year
Mar. 24—MITCHELL — State champion leaders Pat Ruml, of Howard, and Stephanie McCord, of Kimball/White Lake, have been honored by the South Dakota High School Coaches Association as the coaches of the year in their respective sports.
Ruml has been named the SDHSCA football coach of the year for 2024-25 following Howard's undefeated season and state championship in Class 9A. McCord earned coach of the year honors in girls cross country after KWL won the Class B state championship.
Ruml coached at McCook Central prior to becoming the head coach in Howard in 2008. He also had assistant coaching experience at Dakota Valley, Waverly-South Shore and Stickney/Mount Vernon. Ruml also played for the Stickney/Mount Vernon squad as a player.
Under Ruml's leadership, Howard has played for state championships in 2009, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2021, 2023 and 2024, winning titles in 2009, 2014, 2021 and 2024. With three state title game appearances in the last four seasons, the Tigers have had a combined record of 43-3.
McCord, who was also selected as the Class B region coach of the year for 2024, led the Wildkats to the state title in Rapid City, with KWL placing three runners in the top-15 to claim the team title, led by Alli McCord in fourth, Lily Baker in fifth and Autumn Baker in 13th. It was KWL's third Class B girls cross country title in five years, adding to its back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2021.
These coaches will be recognized at the annual awards banquet at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, 2025, to be held at the Mitchell High School Performing Arts Center, 821 N. Capital St.
The SDHSCA fall 2025 coach of the year award winners (Other nominees are listed with each winner):
* Competitive cheer: Casie King, Sioux Valley. Nominees: Valerie Ewing, Winner, Brandee Kelsey, Wolsey-Wessington; Bruce Kleinsasser, Aberdeen Central; Eve Langerock, Harrisburg
* Competitive dance: Robyn Murphy, Yankton. Nominees: Ashley Hoffman, Brandon Valley, Thomas Nguyen, Harrisburg; Amanda Stoeser, Pierre
* Girls soccer: Hailee Fischer, Harrisburg. Nominees: Sheila Diercks, O'Gorman; Ethan Poulter, Sioux Falls Christian; Logan Schaefers, Sioux Falls Washington; Luis Usera, Rapid City Stevens
* Boys soccer: Jory Wipf, James Valley Christian. Nominees: Lance Mohr, Aberdeen Central, Alex Nelson, Sioux Falls Lincoln; Curt Nelson, Vermillion, Michael Olson, O'Gorman
* Girls cross country: Stephanie McCord, Kimball/White Lake. Nominees: Kris Boekelheide, Northwestern; Matt Genrich, Harrisburg; Luke Vander Leest-Sioux Falls Christian
* Boys cross country: Ralph Kroetch, Philip. Nominees: Julie Holdeman, Mitchell Christian; Luke Jelen, Sioux Falls Lincoln; Luke Vander Leest, Sioux Falls Christian
* Football: Pat Ruml, Howard. Nominees: Shawn Flanagan, Lennox, Jared Fredenburg, Sioux Falls Lincoln, John Hodorff, Watertown, Tom Moore, Sully Buttes; Jeff Sheehan, Hamlin
* Volleyball: Erica Fersdahl, Dell Rapids. Nominees: Ronette Costain, Harrisburg; Kari Jung, Warner; Erik Krenz, Dakota Valley; Jean O'Hara, Chester Area.
Topics
-
Area coaches among finalists for Fall 2024 Coach of the Year awards from the SDHSCA
Sioux Valley's Casie King has been named the S.D. High School Coaches Association's Competitive Cheer Coach of the Year for the fall of 2024.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Brian Eliason tabbed as new Mitchell girls golf coach
Mar. 14—MITCHELL — Mitchell High School has appointed Brian Eliason as the Kernels' new girls golf head coach ahead of a new season. Eliason is succeeding Jeff Meyerink, who took the head golf ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Howard County 2025 high school boys lacrosse season preview: Glenelg defending county, state titles
Mar. 20—Glenelg boys lacrosse conquered Howard County and Class 2A last season, but will have several challengers lining up. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Moses Lake Youth Baseball recruiting coaches
Mar. 19—MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Youth Baseball Association needs coaches to continue the 2025 season after changes to coaching requirements were put in place recently. Association President ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Find out who made the Vermont high school coaches' 2024-25 all-star boys hockey teams
The coaches' selections are broken down by first, second third teams and honorable mentions in each of the state's two divisions.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 19 -
Alabama high school basketball: 2025 ASWA All-State teams with players and coach of the year
Alabama high school basketball: See the 2025 ASWA All-State boys and girls teams with players and coach of the year for all classes.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15 -
Nebraska assistant coach to join Will Wade's NC State coaching staff
North Carolina State Wolfpack basketball coach Will Wade is expected to hire Nebraska assistant Adam Howard for his inaugural coaching staff.Yahoo Sports - 5h -
Howard County 2025 high school softball season preview: Area teams loaded with talent
Mar. 19—Ten of last season's first team All-Howard County selections return, creating a 2025 season full of experienced talent. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Outstanding underclassmen selections unveiled for 2024-25 high school basketball season
The Vermont Basketball Coaches Association announces list of the state's best non-seniors this past season.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Roberto De Zerbi’s monthly wage at Marseille revealed
Sometimes it costs to have a new start. This was certainly the case when Olympique de Marseille made a huge statement of intent to sign up Roberto De Zerbi as manager on a contract which currently ...Yahoo Sports - 16m -
NFL insider believes Jaguars should still add WR in free agency
Should the Jacksonville Jaguars still add to the wide receiver position in free agency? The Athletic's NFL insider believes that's the case.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Inside look at Alabama football LB Deontae Lawson season-ending ACL injury vs Oklahoma
The final episode of "The Tides That Bind: Inside Alabama Football" gave viewers a look at Deontae Lawson's season-ending injury.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Seahawks' 3 best free-agent signings so far
Identifying the Seattle Seahawks' three best free-agent signings in 2025Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Colin Cowherd sees an issue with Puka Nacua revealing his early retirement plans and here's why
Colin Cowherd didn't love Puka Nacua talking publicly about retiring at 30 and his take is both right and wrongYahoo Sports - 21m
More in Sports
-
Sources: QB Wilson, Giants agree to 1-year deal
The Giants and free agent QB Russell Wilson reached agreement on a one-year deal worth up to $21 million, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal eliminates New York as a potential option this ...ESPN - 16m -
Sources: Diggs, Pats agree on 3-year, $69M deal
Stefon Diggs and the New England Patriots reached an agreement on a three-year, $69 million deal that includes $26 million guaranteed.ESPN - 16m -
Lillard out indefinitely due to blood clot in calf
Bucks guard Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf and is out indefinitely.ESPN - 16m -
'Appreciative' Butler returns to Miami; Dubs fall
Forward Jimmy Butler returned to Kaseya Center in Miami on Monday night, for the first time since being traded to the Golden State Warriors, but the Heat stole the show in the end, cruising to a ...ESPN - 16m -
Thunder first to 60 wins behind SGA's 32 points
The Thunder rolled to their 46th double-digit win of the season, beating the Kings 121-106 on Tuesday night to become the first 60-win team this season.ESPN - 16m