ABERDEEN, S.D. – Lucus Howard has been named the winner of the 2024 Connie Deibert Award for Excellence in Middle School Coaching.
Howard has worked as the physical education teacher at May Overby Elementary School for 10 years. He also coaches middle school football, basketball and track for the Aberdeen Public School District.
The Connie Deibert Award, named after a longtime Aberdeen Public Schools PE teacher and coach, honors individuals who have dedicated themselves to coaching excellence at the middle school level.
Howard has coached football for 10 years, including six years as a junior varsity coach, two years as middle school assistant coach and two years as eighth-grade head coach.
He has coached basketball for 10 years, including two years as eighth-grade head coach.
He has also coached middle school track for nine years, including two years as girls head coach. This year, Howard has coached athletes who have broken middle school records. They are:
Eighth-grade girls track:
· 100 meter hurdles: Espynn Kuhfeld, 16.23
· 200 meter hurdles: Espynn Kuhfeld, 30.05
Seventh-grade girls:
· 4x200 meter relay: Savana Arampatzis, Bentley Pickrel, Kylee Ewing and Morgan Griebel; 1:53.94
· 4x400 meter relay: Jaxi Lozenski, Bentley Pickrel, Bree Cochran, Kylee Ewing: 4:31.01
About the Aberdeen Public School District
The Aberdeen Public School District provides a comprehensive educational program to approximately 4,200 students in grades K-12, with a mission of empowering all students to succeed in a changing world. Our students receive the knowledge and skills necessary to reach their potential in a global community through high expectations of academic achievement; diverse educational opportunities; and community involvement in a safe, supportive environment. Learn more at aberdeen.k12.sd.us.