Marin Coach Captures Prestigious Honor

SAN RAFAEL, CA — A San Rafael High School coach has captured a top state honor.

Bulldogs coach Shawna Hoch was named the 2021-22 State Coach of the Year for competitive cheer by the California Coaches Association.

The Bulldogs have won six national championships since Hoch took over the program 15 years ago, The Marin Independent Journal reports.

“I am so honored to have been selected to receive this award, especially so as it is the first year that a Competitive Cheerleading coach has been recognized by the California Coaches Association,” Hoch wrote in an email to The IJ.

“It is an incredible privilege to have been the one chosen to bring recognition to our sport in an equitable way to all of the more traditionally recognized sports.”