April Martin with her Arkansas High School Coaches Association Outstanding Track Coach of the Year award (Photo courtesy of Yellville-Summit Public Schools)
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) recently recognized a local track and field coach as one of the top in a five-state area. Yellville-Summit’s April Martin was named the Section 6 Girls’ Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year from the 2023-2024 school year.
Martin says she was honored to receive the award but never thought it would happen.
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The accolades have been piling up since Martin guided the Lady Panthers to their fourth consecutive Class 2A state championship last year. She was named the 2A-1 Conference Coach of the Year and was later selected as the All-Arkansas Preps Coach of the Year by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Outstanding Track Coach of the Year.
According to a Facebook post from the school district, NFHS Chief Executive Officer Karissa Niehoff referred to this honor as designating her “status among the most elite coaches.” She confirmed Martin as the “most deserving recipient” as chosen by the NFHS Coaches Association Advisory Committee.
Martin says she gives the credit to the athletes that have come through the program over the last few years.
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Martin says she decided to apply after winning the coach of the year honor on the state level, and she went through a little bit of a process along the way.
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Martin is preparing for the next track season. The Arkansas Indoor High School Championships will be held in February at the Randall Tyson Track Center on the campus of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, and the outdoor season will start in March.
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