While local athletes made their marks on the field, courts and courses this fall, local coaches also excelled in the eyes of their peers and media.
Elk Lake Golf Coach Ryan Kipar, Montrose Girls Soccer Coach Harrison Williams, and Forest City Boys Soccer Coach Carmine Gigliotti were all selected as Coach of the Year in their respective sports by the Scranton Times newspaper.
Kipar guided both the boys’ and girls’ teams for Elk Lake along with his assistant Clint Tyler. He credited the success of the program to the cohesiveness of both teams.
“They really pull for each other, and help each other out,” said Kipar.
While the boys’ team struggled with inexperience and relied heavily on senior Jason Mowry, the girls’ team came in with heavy expectations after winning a District team title and advancing to the PIAA championships.
“We challenged them to get better and everyone of the kids worked to get better,” said Kipar.
To aid in that Kipar had the team travel to attend two intense sessions of training that not only improved their skills but helped form a tighter group.
Williams took over a program that had won a District title and state playoff game the season before, but also a team that graduated a significant portion of that team.
“I give the girls all the credit,” said Williams. “It shows the commitment and effort they put in to be successful.”
On a team predominantly freshmen and sophomores with only one senior a new coaching staff, Williams knew getting everyone on the same page was important.
Williams organized a two-day camp at Camp Susquehannock and a trip to the Harford Fair.
“We knew getting them to know and trust each other would be important,” explained Williams. “Two days where they had to spend that time together helped with that.”
Having some early season success was another factor Williams thought was important for his team’s success and acceptance of what he and his staff were trying to do.
“We got a good win early, and that helped with gaining confidence and belief in what we were doing” said Williams.
Gigliotti led Forest City to familiar territory but a different result in his seventh year at the helm when his Foresters captured the school’s first District II title in boys’ soccer.
After finishing second in the Lackawanna League Division II and earning the second seed in the District playoffs, the Foresters earned wins over MMI Prep and Elk Lake before defeating Mountain View 1-0 in overtime.
“This was the third year in a row we got to the title game, and it was great for these kids to see the hard work pay off,” said Gigliotti.
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