Susan and Wayne Kreklow Honored as 1997 Tachikara/AVCA NAIA National Co-Coaches of the Year

Colorado Springs, Colo. - Tachikara and the American Volleyball Coaches Association are pleased to announce that Columbia College's Susan and Wayne Kreklow have been selected as the 1997 Tachikara/AVCA NAIA Co-Coaches of the Year.

The Kreklows led Columbia College to a 43-3 overall record this season, a No. 2 ranking and its fourth consecutive NAIA National Tournament appearance where the Cougars finished the season tied for fifth place.  Along the way, the coaching duo picked up career victory No. 350.

For the third consecutive season, Susan and Wayne were honored as the Midwest Region Coaches of the Year.  The pair also has earned two American Midwest Conference Coaches of the Year awards. Susan also won the award in 1993.

This was the fourth season that the Columbia women's volleyball program has been under the direction of the co-coaches.  Susan was head coach of the team from 1990 to 1993 before being joined on the bench by Wayne.  Since 1990, Columbia has a record of 371-86 (.812) and ten Cougars have earned All-America honors including 1997 AVCA/NAIA Player of the Year Yang Zhe.

The Cougars have made four consecutive NAIA National Tournament appearances, have won three consecutive Midwest Regional Championships and have won five consecutive AMC Championships.  Over the last four seasons, Columbia has a record of 182-29 (.863).

The formal presentation of awards to the 1997 Tachikara/AVCA National Coaches of the Year will be made Thursday, Dec. 18, in Spokane, Wash., at the Tachikara/AVCA Coach of the Year banquet beginning at noon.  The lunch, which will take place at the Spokane Doubletree City Center, is held in conjunction with the 1997 AVCA National Convention.