At the school’s winter sports award night earlier this month, wrestling coach John Parsons and girls soccer coach Marc Crockett were formally honored as the league’s coaches of the year.
“They really focus their efforts on bringing out the best of their athletes, both academically and athletically,” Freedom Athletic Director Steve Amaro wrote in an e-mail.
Parsons, who has been the Falcons wrestling coach for 14 years, claimed the award for the first time. His team finished second overall to Liberty in the BVAL and sent three athletes to the state tournament – 130-pound senior captain Zack Wiley, freshman Ricky Coster and junior Roman Garcia.
Freedom has traditionally run one of the stronger local programs in the area, and with Coster and Garcia returning, Parsons is looking forward to another solid year.
Though Parsons was grateful for the kudos, he deferred credit to the talented grapplers he coaches. “We don’t do it for the awards,” Parsons said. “We do it for the boys.”
Crockett, who claimed the girls coach of the year honor, has held the position of head soccer coach at Freedom for 13 years. Despite the lack of a home field for most of the season, the Falcons persevered and went 11-5-5 overall; 6-1-3 against BVAL foes. Freedom finished in a tie for second place with Liberty in league play.
Strong play from senior goalkeeper Jessica Deno and senior forward Krystal Espindola helped the Falcons advance to the North Coast Section playoffs.
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