When Vanderburgh County, Indiana, declared December 7, 2022, “Mike Goebel Day,” it was to celebrate a longtime county council member, dedicated community volunteer – and one outstanding high school football coach. That fall, Goebel had just led Evansville Mater Dei High School to the second Indiana
For the first time in the award's 16-year existence, it went to someone who did not win one of the major national cross country meets. Simmons,m who was 2nd at NXN behind Aaron Sahlman, also is just the third junior to win the award.