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Coach of the Year: Marty Simpson

By Andy Boogaard / The Fresno Bee

Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008 | 06:18 AM

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Either Marty Simpson didn't complete his thought a year ago or he simply didn't know. And who could blame him if he didn't?

Buchanan High's boys cross country team had completed its 2007 season, including a Central Section Division I title with a 34-point score -- merely 19 from perfect -- when the coach said: "[It] was just the most incredible day for Buchanan runners -- ever."

What he didn't say was: "But just wait until next year."

Completing the most remarkable two-year boys team performance for large schools in section history, the Bears accounted for the first four finishers, scored 20 points and won this season's section D-I crown by 54.

"Can't get much better than what they did that day," said Simpson, The Bee's repeat Boys Coach of the Year. "That was pretty dang impressive."

Perhaps more impressive was this: Not only did Buchanan's first five runners go 1-2-3-4-10, its Nos. 6-7 runners finished 14-18 in the 69-runner field at Woodward Park.

The Bears placed second in the state at the same site behind Jonathan Sanchez (third), Danny Vartanian (eighth) and Heath Reedy (13th) in a 194-runner field.

"I'm blessed with great kids who put everything on the line," said 15-year coach Simpson, adding he will retire after one more season to devote full attention to his wife of 40 years, Nancy, who has beaten breast cancer.

He said: "I want to take her and show her the world until the money runs out."


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