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The NHSCA, National High School Coaches Association, is pleased to announce that Steve Tirapelle of Clovis High School in Clovis, California is the 2013 NHSCA National High School Wrestling Coach of the Year.

Coach Tirapelle has spent 30 years as a head high school wrestling coach, the last 16 being at Clovis High. During his time at Clovis, he’s built the Cougars into one of the top teams in California and the nation, winning four California state championships in 2003, 2008, 2011 and 2012.

Steve Tirapelle – Clovis HS Head Coach

During his illustrious career as a head coach, Tirapelle has coached 75 state medalists and 17 state champions, 71 of those placewinners and 16 champions have been at Clovis High. In his 15 years with the Cougars, Coach Tirapelle has led the team to nine Valley Championships.

Coach Tirapelle is widely regarded as one of the premier coaches in the state, most notably for leading his three sons to 8 state titles and 9 finals appearances in 12 years, tops in the state for a single family. All three of Coach Tirapelle’s sons were were scholarship athletes at the University of Illinois.

“Coach Tirapelle and his family have set a level of excellence in California and the nation that makes Clovis High School one of the top programs each year,” said Bob Ferraro, Junior, Executive Director of the National High School Coaches Association. “We are proud to honor Coach Tirapelle not only for his work on the mat, but also his drive to turn-out top quality student-athletes.”

“This is quite an honor,” said Coach Tirapelle. “Obviously awards like this can be won without a great staff and all of the fine athletes that have come through our program. I’m very proud to receive this honor.”

Coach Tirapelle wrestled at Ponderosa High School in Placerville, CA and later at Humboldt State University where he became an NCAA Division II All-American.

Tirapelle and wife Jayne have three sons and a daughter: Adam, Alex, & Troy and his daughter, Brooke.

For the past 13 years, the NHSCA has honored 20 coaches in 20 boys’ and girls’ sports. Last year, coaches from 19 different states were honored.

Past NHSCA High School National High School Wrestling Coaches of the Year

2013 – Steve Tirapelle – Clovis (California)

2012 – Pat Simpson – Father Ryan (Tennessee)

2011 – Cliff Ramos – Collins Hill (Georgia)

2010 – Barry Chooljian – Timberlane (New Hampshire)

2009 – Jeff Sweigard – Central Dauphin (Pennsylvania)

2008 – Bill Jacoutot – Spencerport (New York)

2007 – Jerry Winterton – Cary (North Carolina)

2006 – Mike Polz – Carl Sandburg (Illinois)

2005 – Roy Hall – Davison (Michigan)

2004 – Terry Daubert – Northampton (Pennsylvania)

2003 – Jeff Jordan – St. Paris Graham (Ohio)

2002 – David East – Bakersfield (California); Jim Jackson – Apple Valley (Minnesota)

2001 – Dave Crowell – Wilson Borough (Pennsylvania); Jeff Jordan – Clarksville (Tennessee)

2000 – Russ Cozart – Brandon (Florida); Scott Legacy – Mount Anthony Union (Vermont); Herb Stinson – Aztec (New Mexico)

1999 – Lewie Benitz – Lincoln (Wisconsin); Keith Healy – Providence Catholic (Illinois); Tim Marzuola – Highlands Park (Texas); Dick Rhoades – Bald Eagle Area (Pennsylvania)

1998 – Jim Poston – Montgomery Bell Academy (Tennessee)