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Mullen, Sweeney named Coaches of the Year at Iowa High School Sports Awards

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Ankeny boys track and field coach Jordan Mullen and Clear Creek-Amana girls basketball coach PJ Sweeney were named the Boys and Girls Coaches of the Year Monday night at the Iowa High School Sports Awards, presented by SCHEELS.

The event was held at Hoyt-Sherman place in Des Moines and honored more than 250 Iowa student-athletes.

The Boys and Girls Team Coaches of the Year were presented by USA TODAY Sports.

The finalists for the Boys Team Coach of the Year were Jonathan Rubino of Des Moines Hoover and Gary Swenson of Valley.

The other finalists for Girls Team Coach of the Year were Brett Delaney of Ankeny Centennial and Angela Kessler of Regina.

The year 1972 was a long time ago. That was the last time Ankeny Can say the boys track and field team won a state title.

Not anymore.

From the guidance of Mullen, Ankeny took home gold at the state meet. Not only did they beat the field, they set records in the process.

The team scored 112 points, which was the most scored by any boys team in history of the state meet. The record had been 89.

How did that happen? Depth. Mullen had the goal of making a well-rounded team from sprinters to jumpers to distance and everything in between. That strategy paid off as the team took home six golds and another three top-four finishes.

Sweeney led the Clippers to history this past season, winning the Class 4A state title after an undefeated season. The title was the first in program history and their 26-0 record was also a school best.

Sweeney’s squad was all about defense. In the final game, they limited Waverly-Shell Rock to shooting 7 of 49 from the field and beat the Go-Hawks by 18 points.

Sweeney took the reigns at CCA 10 years ago with the goal of bringing excitement for girls basketball. Now the Clippers have been to the state tournament three times in five years and now have a title to show for it.

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