North Phoenix Prep Coach Honored with State Recognition

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced the state-by-state winners of its annual High School Cross Country Coaches of the Year. One boys coach and one girls coach from 50 states were honored for their successes during the fall of 2025, as selected by a committee of experts from around the nation and our very own Coach Brad Curtis from North Phoenix Prep received the honor for Arizona Girls Cross County.

State-by-state winners were selected based on their teams’ performances throughout the 2025 cross country season. According to USTFCCCA, among the factors taken into consideration were team score and placement at the state championships, margin of victory, performance against rankings if available, individual championships, and how their teams’ performances stacked up to previous years.

Coach Curtis will receive a trophy from the USTFCCCA,  a recognition that Curtis says he is truly grateful for. “Sharing this honor in the same season as our North Phoenix Prep girls’ state championship makes it especially meaningful,” he shared.

“For more than a decade, I have poured my heart into building the girls’ program at North Phoenix Prep and seeing that long-term vision come together has been incredibly rewarding,” said Curtis. “This recognition belongs just as much to our athletes, their families, and my fellow coaches, whose trust, commitment, and support made everything we accomplished possible.”

Curtis now joins the winners from each state in consideration for the association’s National High School Cross Country Coach of the Year award. One boys coach and one girls coach from among all the states will be selected by a panel of experts and be announced next month as the national winners.

Jon Rickey, Arizona Network Director of Athletics, feels that this state-wide recognition is well-deserved. “I have always been amazed at how prepared and detailed oriented he is for his teams, and what a great community of runners and families he has helped create on his campus… Whether it’s the Annual Root Beer Mile, the Winter Track Showcases, or his summer running plans, he does a great job of always having a plan for what is needed for his teams. He is the Great Hearts Director of Track and has led our Great Hearts Middle School League track season and for many years up until recently, our cross-country season. He has done an amazing job with his own school but has also helped other schools within our network and throughout the state of Arizona!”

This recognition is just a reflection of the excellence, character, and community that define Great Hearts athletics. Coach Curtis’ dedication has elevated the girls’ track team at North Phoenix Prep to the top of the state, while also inspiring runners across our network through his leadership and service. We celebrate this well-earned honor and look forward to cheering him on as he represents Arizona in the running for National Coach of the Year.

Congratulations, Coach Curtis!

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