Nelson, Brist garner Coach of Year honors

Whitefish High School boys golf coach Terry Nelson and girls cross-country coach Bill Brist were selected as Coach of the Year in Class A by the Montana Coaches Association after leading their respective teams to state titles this past season.

The boys golf team has won nine state championships under Nelson's watch, including five in the past six years. He has also led the girls to 13 state titles.

This past season, the boys team took top honors with a 40-stroke victory over second-place Hamilton in winter-like conditions at Whitefish Lake Golf Club.

"We had a group of boys who worked really hard and had a great season," Nelson said. "It's nice to be honored, it's a reward for all the work we put in."

Nelson has been the head coach for the Bulldogs girls and boys golf programs for 25 years and in 2007 was inaugurated into the Montana Coaches Association's Hall of Fame.

He has been named the MCA's boys or girls coach of the year and the regional coach of the year numerous times and was named the National Golf Coach of the Year in 2006. He was recognized by Golf Digest magazine with a Youth Development National Award in 2007.

Brist was named the Class A girls cross-country coach of the year for the third time in his career.

This past season, the Lady Bulldogs won their third consecutive Class A title under Brist, led by Lady Bulldog runners Jessica Sagen, Bailey Eaton and Loni Hanson. The team also won their fourth consecutive conference title.

"The team has been doing really well, which makes me look pretty good," Brist said. "There are a lot of great coaches in the state, so it's nice to be recognized among that company."

Brist said he's looking forward to coaching the boys and girls squads again next season and looks to bring home two more state trophies.

"The girls team will return a great group," he said. "They'll be as strong as the last couple of years. I'm really looking forward to the ladies, and the guys team will be outstanding, too."